Search Midland County Unclaimed Money
Midland County residents can search for unclaimed money through the free Michigan Department of Treasury database or through the tax foreclosure surplus fund process managed by the Midland County Treasurer. Midland County is also one of six counties named in class action Docket No. 349557, which involves claims that surplus foreclosure funds were withheld from former property owners. This page covers the state search tool, the county treasurer contact, the class action case, and the Form 5743 process for anyone who had property foreclosed in Midland County since 2021.
Midland County Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property Search
The Michigan Department of Treasury maintains a free unclaimed property search at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov.
Anyone can search by name for free. No account needed.
The Treasury database holds more than $675 million waiting to be claimed. Common types of unclaimed property include dormant checking and savings accounts, uncashed payroll checks, old utility deposits, uncollected insurance proceeds, and forgotten stock dividends. Michigan law requires companies and financial institutions to hand these funds over to the state after a period of owner inactivity, typically three to five years depending on the type of property. Once transferred, the funds stay in the state database indefinitely with no deadline to claim.
Call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov to speak with a Treasury staff member. They can confirm whether a match in the database is yours and tell you exactly what documents to bring or mail when you file a claim. Claims can be filed online, by mail, or in person.
Midland County Website and Treasurer
The Midland County main website at co.midland.mi.us provides access to county services, including the treasurer's office.
The county site includes department contact details, online services, and links to resources for property owners and residents.
The Midland County Treasurer's page at co.midland.mi.us/treasurer gives direct access to delinquent tax information, property tax records, and foreclosure details.
The treasurer's page includes delinquent tax lookup, payment options, and information about the tax foreclosure process in Midland County.
| Treasurer | Midland County Treasurer |
|---|---|
| Address | 220 W Ellsworth Street, Midland, MI 48640 |
| Phone | (989) 832-6850 |
| Website | co.midland.mi.us/treasurer |
Class Action Docket No. 349557
Midland County is one of six counties named in class action Docket No. 349557. The other counties in this case are Tuscola, Bay, Gratiot, Saginaw, and Isabella. This type of class action lawsuit follows from the 2020 Michigan Supreme Court ruling in Rafaeli, LLC v. Oakland County, which found that counties violated constitutional property rights when they kept surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure sales without compensating former owners.
If you had property foreclosed in Midland County and believe the county kept money beyond what was owed, this class action may be relevant to your case. Consult an attorney who handles tax foreclosure claims to understand whether the class action applies to your specific situation and what your options are. An attorney can review the docket, explain the current status of the case, and advise whether to join the class or file a separate claim under MCL 211.78t.
The existence of the class action does not replace the standard Form 5743 process for foreclosures from 2021 forward. The two paths address different time periods and different legal mechanisms. If your foreclosure was in 2021 or later, the MCL 211.78t process applies. If it was earlier, the class action route may be the more relevant option.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Claims in Midland County
MCL 211.78t gives former property owners the right to claim surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure sales that occurred in 2021 and after. The process has four steps and involves firm deadlines at each stage.
Step one: file Form 5743 (Notice of Intention to Claim Interest in Foreclosure Sale Proceeds) with the Midland County Treasurer by July 1 in the year the auction takes place. This is a hard cutoff. Filing even one day late can forfeit your right to the surplus for that auction year. Step two: the county has until January 31 to respond with Form 5744, which details the sale price, total debt recovered, and any remaining surplus. Step three: after receiving Form 5744, file a motion with the Midland County Circuit Court using form CC540. This motion must be filed between February 1 and May 15. Step four: the court holds a hearing, issues an order, and the treasurer pays the surplus within 21 days.
The law allows you to file Form 5743 before you know whether there will be any surplus. You are simply preserving your right. If the sale does not generate a surplus, the form costs nothing and has no effect. If there is a surplus and you did not file the form in time, you lose it. File early.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
Michigan's three-year foreclosure process under MCL 211.78 is the same in Midland County as in every other Michigan county. Taxes become delinquent on March 1 of year one with a 4% fee and 1% monthly interest. Property is forfeited to the treasurer on March 1 of year two, and interest rises to 1.5% per month. The show cause hearing in January or February of year two gives property owners a chance to dispute the delinquency or explore options before foreclosure is finalized.
March 31 of year three is the last day to redeem the property by paying all amounts owed. April 1, the county receives full title by court order. The property goes to auction later in the year. If the sale brings in more than the debt, the surplus belongs to the former owner, provided the right forms were filed on time.
Legal Help and Resources
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has a detailed, plain-language guide on claiming surplus funds after a tax foreclosure. It covers each form and each deadline. The State Bar of Michigan's Lawyer Referral Service is at (800) 968-0738 or lrs.michbar.org and can connect you with an attorney in your area.
The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund at michigan.gov/mihaf offers grants up to $25,000 for homeowners who fell behind on property taxes. These are grants, not loans, and do not need to be paid back. If your property is still in the delinquency or forfeiture stage, this fund may help you avoid foreclosure altogether. Funding levels vary, so check the site for current availability.
Bay County Legal Aid may also serve Midland County residents based on income. Call to ask about eligibility for free legal help with foreclosure or surplus claims in the central Michigan area.
Cities in Midland County
Midland County has no cities that meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. The county seat is Midland, which is the largest city in the county. Other communities include Coleman, Sanford, and Auburn. All unclaimed money searches and tax foreclosure surplus claims for any address in Midland County go through the treasurer's office at 220 W Ellsworth Street in Midland.