Search St. Joseph County Unclaimed Money

St. Joseph County is in the southwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, bordered by Indiana to the south. Unclaimed money for county residents comes from two main sources: the Michigan Department of Treasury's statewide unclaimed property program, which holds dormant bank accounts, insurance proceeds, and forgotten deposits, and tax foreclosure surplus funds managed by the St. Joseph County Treasurer when foreclosed properties sell at auction for more than the taxes owed. Both programs are free to search and free to claim without any upfront cost. This page explains how to find and recover money from each program.

Michigan State Unclaimed Property Search

The Michigan Department of Treasury holds money from dormant financial accounts, uncashed checks, security deposits, insurance proceeds, and other unclaimed assets. Businesses must turn these funds over to the state when they cannot reach the owner after a set period of inactivity, usually three to five years. The state holds the money indefinitely so the owner or their heirs can claim it later.

Michigan's unclaimed property database is free to search at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov.

The state has returned over $675 million in the last five years. Search by name at no cost.

To search, enter your first and last name on the site. You can also look up former addresses, business names, or deceased relatives. If a match comes up, click through to start the claim. Most claims need a government ID and documentation linking you to the address or account. The Treasury processes most claims in 90 to 120 days. For help, call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov. There is no fee to file a claim at any stage.

St. Joseph County Treasurer

The St. Joseph County Treasurer's office is located in the Historic Courthouse on the second floor at 125 W. Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032. The mailing address is PO Box 220, Centreville, MI 49032. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The main phone number is (269) 467-5525.

The treasurer's office accepts cash, money orders, credit and debit cards, and cashier checks. A computer terminal is available for public use in the office, which lets you look up property tax records without needing your own device.

The treasurer serves as the custodian of all county monies. Key duties include investing county funds, settling accounts with township and city treasurers, collecting delinquent real property taxes, maintaining debt service accounts, certifying warranty deeds, handling Land Division and Combination Tax Certifications, and selling dog licenses. The treasurer also serves as a member of the Plat Board, Elections Commission, County Apportionment Commission, and County Building Authority.

Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds in St. Joseph County

When a St. Joseph County property sells at tax auction for more than the outstanding taxes, fees, and costs, the difference is surplus money. Under the Michigan Supreme Court's 2020 ruling in Rafaeli, LLC v. Oakland County, that surplus belongs to the former property owner, not the county. MCL 211.78t now governs how those surplus claims are filed for foreclosures that occurred in 2021 or later.

Claiming Surplus Funds: Step-by-Step

The process uses two forms with firm deadlines. Missing either deadline will likely end your claim.

• Form 5743 - Notice of Intent to Claim Interest in Foreclosure Sale Proceeds. Submit this to the St. Joseph County Treasurer by July 1 of the year after foreclosure. This form signals your intent to pursue the surplus.
• Form 5744 - Petition to Claim Interest in Foreclosure Sale Proceeds. File this with the county circuit court by January 31 the following year.
• The hearing window runs from February 1 through May 15. The court will schedule your case and issue an order if your claim is valid.

For foreclosures between 2013 and 2020, a separate Class Action Settlement Notice process applies. If your property was sold in that range, contact the county treasurer or a legal aid attorney to find out which process covers your situation.

Public Act 123 of 1999 and the Foreclosure Process

Michigan's Public Act 123 of 1999 sets up the delinquent tax process. Under this law, a property that is two years delinquent on taxes may be foreclosed. Once foreclosed, the county takes title to the property and can sell it at public auction. Proceeds from the sale first cover the taxes, penalties, fees, and administrative costs. Anything left over is the surplus.

The auction process in St. Joseph County uses Title-Check, LLC through the tax-sale.info platform. The 2024 auction was held on Friday, August 23, 2024. For questions about upcoming auctions or to get on the notification list, contact Title-Check at 800-259-7470.

Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline

The three-year timeline works like this:

• Year 1: Taxes become delinquent on March 1. A lien attaches to the property.
• Year 2: The property is listed as forfeited on March 1. Interest and fees increase. The owner can still pay and keep the property.
• Year 3: Foreclosure is final on March 31. The county owns the property and lists it for auction.

If you receive any notice about delinquent taxes, forfeiture, or foreclosure, act quickly. Owners who miss the redemption window lose the right to reclaim the property. Even after foreclosure, the surplus claim process gives former owners a chance to recover at least some of what was lost.

Military Personnel and Property Tax Relief

Active military service members may be able to lower the interest rate on delinquent property taxes under the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act. The Application for Property Tax Relief During Active Military Service is available through the county treasurer's office. If you are on active duty and have fallen behind on property taxes, ask about this relief before the forfeiture deadline passes.

Homestead Principal Residence Exemption

St. Joseph County residents who use a property as their primary residence may qualify for the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE), which reduces property taxes. Form 2368 (PRE Affidavit) is used to claim the exemption. Form 2602 (Request to Rescind PRE) is used to remove it when the property is sold or no longer qualifies. The homestead credit is also available on the state income tax return. Contact the county treasurer if you are unsure whether your property has the PRE on file.

Legal Aid and Housing Help in St. Joseph County

Free and low-cost legal help is available for St. Joseph County residents dealing with tax foreclosure or unclaimed money issues. Start with Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org. The site has step-by-step instructions for filing Forms 5743 and 5744, plain-language explanations of the surplus claim process, and tools for preparing for a circuit court hearing.

The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a local attorney for a low-cost first consultation. Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org. An attorney can review the foreclosure record and tell you whether you have a valid surplus claim.

The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) provides grants of up to $25,000 for eligible homeowners who fell behind on taxes, mortgage payments, or other housing costs due to COVID-19 financial hardship after January 21, 2020. Eligible residents must own and occupy their home as a primary residence and have a household income below 150% of the Area Median Income. MIHAF can cover delinquent property taxes, mortgage payments, land contract payments, condo and HOA fees, homeowner's insurance, and utilities including gas, electric, water, sewer, and internet. Apply at michigan.gov/mihaf.

Cities in St. Joseph County

No cities in St. Joseph County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Residents of Centreville, Three Rivers, Sturgis, and other communities in the county can use the state unclaimed property database and follow the county surplus fund claim process described on this page.

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