Crawford County Unclaimed Property Search
Crawford County residents can find unclaimed money through Michigan's statewide unclaimed property program and through the county's tax foreclosure surplus fund process. Michigan's Department of Treasury holds more than $675 million in unclaimed funds statewide, and some of that belongs to people in the Grayling area who simply haven't searched yet. If you ever owned property in Crawford County that was taken through tax foreclosure, you may be owed surplus proceeds from the sale under MCL 211.78t. The Crawford County Treasurer switched to a new online payment system in November 2025, so there are some updated procedures worth knowing about.
Crawford County Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property Search
Start with a free search at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. The Michigan Department of Treasury maintains this database. There is no cost and no account needed. Just enter your name and see what comes back.
Money ends up in the state database when companies lose contact with account holders. Banks turn over dormant accounts. Employers report uncashed paychecks. Insurance companies hand over unclaimed policy proceeds. Utility companies transfer unrefunded deposits. All of this happens under state law, which requires businesses to report dormant accounts after one to three years and transfer the funds to the state. The state then holds the money without any deadline for the owner to claim it.
To file a claim, gather your government-issued photo ID and something that links you to the original property, such as an old bank statement, tax return, W-2, or utility bill. Larger claims may require notarized documents. Processing typically takes 60 to 90 days from the time a complete claim is received.
For help with a specific claim or to check status, call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov.
The Michigan Unclaimed Property portal is the right place to start for all Crawford County residents.
Search periodically since new accounts are added throughout the year.
Crawford County Treasurer
The Crawford County Treasurer's office handles all delinquent property tax collection and tax foreclosure for the county. General office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with offices closed from noon to 1:00 PM for lunch. The main county offices in Grayling operate on the same schedule.
The Treasurer is responsible for serving as custodian of county funds, collecting delinquent taxes under Act 123, acting as the disbursement agent for county finances, safeguarding and investing county funds in line with the county's Investment Policy, issuing tax certifications, and managing dog licensing for Crawford County.
As of November 4, 2025, Crawford County switched to the BS&A online system for delinquent tax payments. The new system offers several improvements: automatic payment options, real-time account updates, and enhanced security. You can pay online at any time, pay in person at the Crawford County Treasurer's office, use text-to-pay, pay through digital wallets, set up ACH (bank transfer) payments, or enroll in autopay. The old payment portal is no longer in use.
Dog licenses for 2026 are available through the Treasurer's office. Cost is $8 for spayed or neutered dogs and $15 for intact dogs when purchased before March. After February, licenses are only available at the County Treasurer's office and cost increases to $25. A valid rabies vaccination certificate is required. Licenses are also available through November through February at Lovells Township, Frederic Township, Beaver Creek Township, and South Branch Township offices.
The Crawford County Treasurer page is shown below. Visit the Crawford County Treasurer website for the most current payment instructions.
The new BS&A system is a significant change from prior procedures, so verify payment options before submitting any delinquent tax payment.
The full Crawford County website at crawfordco.org covers all county departments and services.
Use the county site to find specific department contacts, current hours, and any announcements about upcoming tax auctions.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds in Crawford County
When Crawford County sells a foreclosed property at auction and the sale price exceeds the taxes, fees, and costs owed, the surplus belongs to the former owner or other legal claimants. Michigan law under MCL 211.78t makes this explicit. Counties cannot keep the excess proceeds. The 2020 Michigan Supreme Court ruling in Rafaeli v. Oakland County reinforced this right and gave former property owners a clear legal path to claim what they're owed.
Standard Michigan tax foreclosure procedures apply in Crawford County. For 2021 and later foreclosures, here is the process to claim surplus funds:
File Form 5743 by July 1. The Claim for Excess Proceeds form is filed with the circuit court by July 1 of the year after the auction sale. This puts the court on notice that you have a legal interest in any surplus from that particular sale.
Receive the accounting notice by January 31. After Form 5743 is filed, the county treasurer must send a written accounting showing the sale proceeds, amounts deducted for taxes and fees, and the net surplus amount.
File CC540 between February 1 and May 15. If you need to take your claim to court, the CC540 motion must be filed in this window. Missing May 15 typically ends your ability to pursue the surplus funds through the court.
Crawford County tax auctions are conducted online through tax-sale.info. If a recent auction produced surplus funds and you had an interest in the property, contact the Crawford County Treasurer's office to ask about the surplus claim process and confirm the applicable deadlines.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
Michigan uses a three-year process to move a property from delinquent to foreclosed. Understanding where a property stands in this cycle tells you what you can still do.
Year 1: Delinquency. Taxes go unpaid. On March 1 of the following year, they transfer to the county treasurer. A 4% fee is added immediately and 1% monthly interest begins. Each month without payment increases what you owe.
Year 2: Forfeiture. On March 1 of year two, the property is forfeited to the county treasurer. You still own it and can still pay to keep it. But interest jumps to 1.5% per month, applied retroactively to the original delinquency date. The balance can grow fast at this stage.
Year 3: Foreclosure. On April 1 of year three, the circuit court issues a foreclosure judgment. The right to redeem the property by paying is generally gone. The county takes possession and the property goes to the land bank or public auction through tax-sale.info.
If you're anywhere in this process, call or visit the Crawford County Treasurer's office right away. Payment plans may be available during delinquency and forfeiture. Hardship extensions exist for some circumstances. But these options close once the foreclosure judgment is entered.
Legal Aid Resources for Crawford County
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides free guides on tax foreclosure, how to file surplus claims, and how to search for unclaimed property. The guides are written for non-lawyers and are a good first step before calling an attorney.
State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service: Call (800) 968-0738 or go to lrs.michbar.org to find a licensed attorney who handles real estate or tax law. There is a small fee for the initial consultation referral.
Legal aid organizations in northern Michigan may serve Crawford County residents on a sliding-scale or free basis. Check michiganlegalhelp.org for a current directory of legal aid providers covering the Grayling and northern Lower Peninsula area.
Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) may provide up to $25,000 for eligible homeowners with delinquent property taxes. Visit michigan.gov/mihaf for current eligibility requirements and to apply. Funding is limited.
Cities in Crawford County
No cities in Crawford County meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page. Grayling is the county seat and largest city. Residents of Grayling and other Crawford County communities should use the free state search at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov and contact the Crawford County Treasurer for any foreclosure surplus questions.