Marquette County Unclaimed Money Lookup
Marquette County residents can search for unclaimed money through Michigan's free state database and may be owed surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure sales where the auction price exceeded what was owed in taxes, fees, and interest. Treasurer Jackie Solomon serves as the county's Foreclosure Governmental Unit and manages all delinquent property tax collection. This page covers the state search portal, how to reach the Marquette County Treasurer, the MCL 211.78t surplus claim process, and where to get legal help in the Upper Peninsula.
Marquette County Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property Search
The Michigan Department of Treasury holds unclaimed financial assets in a free database that anyone can search. The database covers the whole state, including all Marquette County residents. You search by name. No account is needed. The state has returned over $675 million to Michigan residents, and new assets are reported each year as accounts go dormant.
What kinds of assets end up in the database? Forgotten bank accounts. Uncashed checks from a former employer. Life insurance payouts that never reached the beneficiary. Stock dividends. Utility security deposits. Refunds from government programs. Companies are required by state law to report these funds after a period of inactivity, usually one to three years. Once in the state's hands, the money stays there until the rightful owner or heir claims it. No expiration.
To claim funds, you will need proof of identity and documentation connecting you to the asset. A government-issued ID is standard. Depending on the type of property, you may also need bank statements, tax forms, or other records. Larger claims may require a notarized affidavit. Processing generally takes 60 to 90 days after the claim is verified.
Questions? Call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov. Staff can confirm whether a search result belongs to you and help you figure out what to submit.
Michigan's free statewide unclaimed property search is available at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov.
Search by name at no cost. No account required.
Marquette County Treasurer
Jackie Solomon is the Marquette County Treasurer. The Treasurer serves as custodian of all county funds, tax collector for delinquent real property taxes, and the Foreclosing Governmental Unit (FGU) for Marquette County. The office also sells dog licenses, provides tax histories and millage information, and manages the county's general investments.
Deputy staff include Anna Fassbender (Deputy III), Matt Barnhart (Deputy II), and Molly LaFave (Deputy I). The Treasurer holds board memberships on the County Land Bank Authority, County Brownfield Authority, Election Commission, and Plat Board.
| Treasurer | Jackie Solomon |
|---|---|
| jsolomon@mqtco.org | |
| Phone | 906-225-8425 |
| Fax | 906-225-8432 |
| Website | co.marquette.mi.us/treasurer |
The Marquette County Treasurer page provides current contact information, office functions, and links to delinquent tax resources.
Check the Treasurer's page for current hours and any updates to payment procedures before visiting the office.
The Marquette County main website provides access to all county departments and services.
Use the main site to find department contacts, public meeting schedules, and county records.
Delinquent Real Property Tax Collections
The Marquette County Treasurer collects all delinquent real property taxes for the county. Once taxes go unpaid past their due date and are transferred to the county on March 1, the Treasurer's office takes over from local units of government. From that point, all payments must go directly to the Treasurer, not to the township or city assessor.
The Marquette County delinquent tax collections page explains exactly how the delinquent tax process works, what fees apply, and how to get a current payoff amount.
If you have a delinquent tax account, check this page first for the process and then call 906-225-8425 for a precise payoff figure.
Do not estimate your delinquent tax balance. Fees and interest are calculated precisely, and an underpayment of even a small amount can leave the account open and the foreclosure clock running.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds in Marquette County
When a property is sold at tax foreclosure auction for more than the total taxes, fees, and interest owed, the surplus belongs to the former owner under MCL 211.78t. This applies to foreclosures that occurred in 2021 or later. The 2020 Michigan Supreme Court ruling in Rafaeli v. Oakland County established that retaining surplus without compensating former owners was unconstitutional. For earlier foreclosures, that ruling may still provide a legal basis for a claim depending on the facts of your case.
Surplus fund claims follow MCL 211.78t and require specific steps in a set order:
Form 5743 by July 1. File the Claim for Excess Proceeds with the Marquette County FGU (the Treasurer's office) by July 1 of the year after your property was sold at auction. This is a firm deadline. Missing it forfeits your right to the surplus under this statute.
Form 5744 response by January 31. The county provides a written accounting by January 31. It shows the sale price, deductions for taxes and fees, and the net surplus amount.
CC540 court motion between February 1 and May 15. If the claim remains unresolved after the FGU accounting, file a CC540 motion in the Marquette County Circuit Court within this window. A hearing is scheduled. If the judge approves the claim, payment follows according to the court order.
The Marquette County Treasurer holds board memberships on the Land Bank Authority and Brownfield Authority. Both bodies sometimes acquire foreclosed properties before they reach public auction. Understanding who receives a foreclosed property can affect whether surplus is generated and how large it is.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
Marquette County follows Michigan's standard three-year tax foreclosure process. All Michigan counties use the same timeline under Public Act 123 of 1999.
Year 1 - Delinquency. Taxes that are not paid by the due date become delinquent on March 1 of the following year. A 4% administrative fee is added immediately. Interest begins at 1% per month from the original due date. The county treasurer takes over from local units.
Year 2 - Forfeiture. If still unpaid by March 1 of year two, the property is forfeited to the county treasurer. Interest climbs to 1.5% per month and is applied retroactively to the original delinquency date. This is where the balance can jump sharply. The March 31 redemption deadline applies. The owner still has time to pay and keep the property, but the window is closing.
Year 3 - Foreclosure. If no payment is made, Marquette County files for foreclosure in circuit court. Once the court enters a foreclosure judgment, the former owner loses all rights to the property. The Treasurer takes title and schedules the property for auction. For 2021 and later foreclosures, any surplus from the auction is available to the former owner under MCL 211.78t.
Marquette County's Treasurer also serves as Foreclosing Governmental Unit, which means the Treasurer's office handles all steps from delinquency through auction, including the right of first refusal review before properties go to public bidding.
Legal Aid for Marquette County Residents
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers free guides covering tax foreclosure, the surplus fund claim process, and unclaimed property searches. The guides are written in plain language and cover each form step by step. Start here if you are not sure what process applies to your situation.
State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service. Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org to get connected with an attorney handling real estate or tax matters in the Upper Peninsula. An initial referral consultation is available for a modest fee.
Upper Peninsula Legal Services. Free civil legal help may be available to qualifying Marquette County residents through regional legal aid. Check michiganlegalhelp.org for a current list of legal aid offices serving the Upper Peninsula region.
Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) provides up to $25,000 for eligible homeowners who are behind on property taxes or mortgage payments. Visit michigan.gov/mihaf for eligibility rules and to apply. Funds are limited. Apply as soon as possible if you think you qualify.
Cities in Marquette County
No cities in Marquette County meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page. Marquette is the county seat and largest city in the Upper Peninsula. Other communities in the county include Ishpeming, Negaunee, and Gwinn. All residents use the same Marquette County Treasurer's office at 906-225-8425 for delinquent tax and surplus claim matters. Search the state database at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov for any funds held in your name.