Search Ingham County Unclaimed Money
Ingham County is home to Michigan's state capital, which means residents here have more direct access to state agencies that handle unclaimed money than almost anywhere else in Michigan. The county's Treasurer, Alan Fox, manages delinquent tax collection and tax foreclosure surplus proceedings for this large mid-Michigan county, while the Michigan Department of Treasury's unclaimed property division is just a short distance away in Lansing.
Ingham County Overview
Michigan Unclaimed Property Portal
The single best place to start any unclaimed money search in Ingham County is unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. The Michigan Department of Treasury maintains this database of dormant bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, forgotten insurance payouts, security deposits, stock dividends, and other abandoned financial property. Search is free. You enter your name and browse the results. Michigan has returned over $675 million to residents who searched and made claims.
Because Lansing is the state capital, many state agencies and large employers are headquartered here. That makes the odds of finding something in the database slightly better than in rural counties, since more organizations report abandoned property to Treasury. Check multiple name variations, including maiden names, business names, and names of deceased relatives.
For help from Treasury staff, call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov. They can answer questions about specific results, walk you through what documentation to submit, and confirm whether a match is legitimate before you spend time filing a claim.
The state portal is shown below. It is free to use and takes just a few minutes to search.
Bookmark the page and check back if you move or change your name. New property is reported to Treasury each year.
Ingham County Treasurer
Treasurer Alan Fox runs the Ingham County Treasurer's office in Mason. His office collects property taxes across the county, manages the delinquent tax roll, and acts as the Foreclosing Governmental Unit (FGU) when properties go into tax foreclosure. If a property in Ingham County sold at a tax foreclosure auction for more than what was owed, the Treasurer holds any surplus pending claims from qualified parties.
Contact the Treasurer's office at (517) 676-7233. The county's main website is at ingham.org, where you can find the Treasurer's page, office address, and information about delinquent taxes and payment options.
Mason is the county seat, even though Lansing is the largest city in the county. The Treasurer's office and circuit court are located in Mason, not Lansing. If you need to file paperwork related to a surplus claim, you need to go to Mason.
The county website below lists all department contacts and provides access to public records tools.
Note: For questions about a specific parcel, have the parcel identification number ready before calling. It speeds up the lookup process significantly.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds
Michigan's MCL 211.78t governs how surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure sales are handled, starting with 2021 foreclosures. When a county forecloses on a property for unpaid taxes and sells it at auction, any amount above the tax debt, penalties, and costs must be returned to the former owner or other parties with a legal interest. This rule change resulted from both the Michigan Supreme Court's 2020 decision in Rafaeli v. Oakland County and the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 ruling in Tyler v. Hennepin County.
To claim surplus funds in Ingham County, you file Form 5743 with the county Treasurer's office by July 1 of the year after the foreclosure. The Treasurer then has until January 31 to respond using Form 5744. If a dispute remains unresolved, you can file a motion with Ingham County Circuit Court between February 1 and May 15. A judge will review the claim and determine who gets paid and how much.
Having an attorney for the circuit court stage is advisable, especially if other parties are also claiming the surplus. The amounts can be significant, and the procedural rules are strict. Missing a deadline can forfeit your right to the funds.
Note: Foreclosures from before 2021 are handled under different rules. Consult the Treasurer's office or an attorney to understand the options for older cases.
Legal Aid and Attorney Resources
Ingham County has good access to legal resources given its location in Lansing. Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (LSEM) provides free legal help to income-eligible residents. Their toll-free number is (800) 322-4512, and hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit lsem-mi.org for more information.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has a free guide on surplus fund claims after tax foreclosure. It covers Form 5743, the timeline, and what to do if the FGU disputes your claim. This guide is written in plain language and does not require legal training to follow.
For a private attorney referral, call the State Bar of Michigan at (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org. Lansing has a large number of property and tax attorneys due to its status as the state capital. An initial consultation can help you decide whether to pursue a claim on your own or with help.
Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund
The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) at michigan.gov/mihaf provides grants of up to $25,000 to eligible homeowners who are behind on property taxes, mortgages, or other housing costs. This can stop a property from reaching tax foreclosure and protect homeowners from losing equity in their homes. Ingham County residents can apply directly through the state's online portal.
Cities in Ingham County
Ingham County includes Lansing, which has a dedicated page on this site. East Lansing and Mason are the other major communities in the county but fall below the population threshold for individual pages. For Lansing-specific unclaimed money resources, visit the city page linked below.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Ingham County and follow the same Michigan surplus fund procedures. Each has its own county treasurer who handles local tax foreclosure matters.