Clinton County Unclaimed Money Lookup
Clinton County residents can search for unclaimed money through Michigan's statewide unclaimed property database and through the county's tax foreclosure surplus fund process under state law. The Michigan Department of Treasury currently holds more than $675 million in unclaimed funds for Michigan residents and businesses, with a portion of that belonging to people in the St. Johns area and surrounding communities who haven't yet filed a claim. If a tax foreclosure ever affected property you owned in Clinton County, you may also be owed surplus proceeds from that sale under MCL 211.78t. This page covers both programs and how to access them.
Clinton County Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property Search
The best first step is a free search at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. The Michigan Department of Treasury runs this database. You don't need an account. Just enter your name and review the results. It takes a few minutes and costs nothing.
What kind of money shows up in these searches? Dormant bank accounts are the most common. But also uncashed checks from past employers, insurance policy refunds, stock dividends, utility deposits from addresses you've moved away from, and refunds from government agencies. Michigan law requires businesses to report and turn over these dormant assets after a set period, typically one to three years of inactivity. The state holds the funds indefinitely until the owner or heir comes to claim them.
When you find something in your name and want to file a claim, be ready to show your identity and your link to the property. A government-issued photo ID is required. You'll also need something connecting you to the original account: a bank statement, old utility bill, W-2, or similar document. Larger claims often need notarized forms. Once you submit a complete claim, processing typically takes 60 to 90 days.
Call the Michigan Treasury at (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov with questions about a specific claim or to check on a claim you already filed.
The Michigan Unclaimed Property search portal covers all counties, including Clinton County residents in St. Johns and surrounding townships.
The database is updated throughout the year as new accounts are reported, so checking once a year is a reasonable habit.
Clinton County Treasurer
The Clinton County Treasurer's office is based in St. Johns and manages the county's delinquent tax accounts and property tax foreclosure process under Michigan's General Property Tax Act. For current contact information, including office hours and phone numbers, visit the official Clinton County website at clinton-county.org.
The Clinton County main website is shown below. It provides access to all county departments and services including the Treasurer's office.
Visit the site for current office hours and any updated procedures for delinquent tax payments or foreclosure matters.
Clinton County is located in the central Lower Peninsula, bordered by Ingham, Eaton, Ionia, Gratiot, and Shiawassee counties. The Ingham County Circuit Court area provides circuit court services for the region. If you receive a notice of tax delinquency or forfeiture from the Clinton County Treasurer, contact the office as soon as possible. Fees and interest accumulate quickly, and waiting makes the situation harder to resolve.
Delinquent property taxes in Michigan are transferred to the county treasurer on March 1 each year. At that point, a 4% fee is added to the unpaid balance and monthly interest starts to run. Payment plans may be available for some property owners. Ask the Treasurer's office what options exist for your specific account.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds in Clinton County
Under Michigan law, when a property is foreclosed for unpaid taxes and then sold at auction for more than the amount owed, the surplus funds belong to the former owner or other legal claimants. The county cannot keep the excess. This right was confirmed by the Michigan Supreme Court in the landmark 2020 case Rafaeli v. Oakland County.
The governing statute is MCL 211.78t. For properties foreclosed in 2021 and later, here is how the surplus claim process works in Clinton County and across Michigan:
File Form 5743 by July 1. The Claim for Excess Proceeds form must be filed with the circuit court no later than July 1 of the year following the foreclosure sale. This form puts the court on notice that you have a legal interest in any surplus from the sale.
Accounting notice by January 31. After you file Form 5743, the county treasurer must provide a written accounting showing the total sale price, the amount applied to taxes and fees, and the net surplus remaining.
CC540 court motion between February 1 and May 15. If you need to pursue the claim further through the circuit court, file a CC540 motion within this window. Missing the May 15 cutoff typically forfeits your right to those funds.
Standard Michigan tax foreclosure procedures apply in Clinton County. If you believe a surplus is owed from a past foreclosure sale, contact the Clinton County Treasurer's office and consider consulting with a real estate attorney to understand your options under MCL 211.78t.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
The Michigan property tax foreclosure process runs on a three-year cycle. Here is what happens at each stage.
Year 1: Taxes become delinquent. If taxes are not paid by the due date, they carry over to the next year. On March 1, those unpaid taxes transfer to the county treasurer. A 4% administrative fee is added to the balance, and interest accrues at 1% per month. Every month without payment increases the total owed.
Year 2: Forfeiture to the county. On March 1 of the second year, the property is forfeited to the county treasurer. The owner has not lost the property yet. Redemption is still possible by paying the full balance. But the interest rate jumps to 1.5% per month, applied retroactively from the original delinquency date, causing a sudden increase in the total amount owed.
Year 3: Foreclosure judgment. On April 1 of year three, the circuit court enters a foreclosure order. At this point, the former owner's right to redeem the property by paying is generally terminated. The county land bank or public auction process takes over.
If you are currently in the delinquency or forfeiture stage, act now. Contact the Clinton County Treasurer's office to find out the exact payoff amount and what options are available, including possible payment plans or hardship extensions.
Legal Aid Resources for Clinton County
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a free, comprehensive resource for people facing tax foreclosure, surplus fund claims, or unclaimed property questions. The site provides step-by-step guides written for non-lawyers and explains what forms to file and when.
State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service can match you with a licensed attorney who handles real estate, tax, or property law. Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org. A small fee applies for the initial referral consultation.
Legal Services of South Central Michigan or similar legal aid organizations may serve Clinton County residents based on income level. Check michiganlegalhelp.org for a current list of legal aid providers that cover the mid-Michigan region, including Clinton County.
Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) can provide up to $25,000 for eligible homeowners with past-due property taxes or mortgage payments. Visit michigan.gov/mihaf to review eligibility criteria and apply online. Funding is limited and availability may change, so check the site promptly if you think you may qualify.
Cities in Clinton County
No cities in Clinton County meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page. St. Johns is the county seat and largest city. All Clinton County residents should use the free state search at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov and contact the Clinton County Treasurer directly for any questions about tax foreclosure surplus funds.