Documents You Need To Claim Unclaimed Assets in Florida

Finding out you may have unclaimed money or property in Florida can be exciting—but you usually cannot receive it until you provide the right documents through the official Florida unclaimed property system. This guide explains what those documents typically are, why they’re needed, and how to get ready before you contact the state.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site, not a government office and not an application portal. You cannot claim property through this site, but you can use this guide to better understand the process and prepare for the official steps.

What Are Unclaimed Assets in Florida?

In Florida, unclaimed property (sometimes called unclaimed assets) usually refers to money or property that has been inactive or unclaimed for a certain period, such as:

• Old bank accounts or credit union accounts
• Uncashed checks (payroll, refunds, insurance, etc.)
• Utility deposits and security deposits
• Insurance policy benefits or refunds
• Safe deposit box contents
• Stocks, mutual funds, or other financial assets
• Credit balances, refunds, or overpayments

If a business or financial institution cannot reach the owner for a set period, they often must turn the property over to the state’s unclaimed property program. In Florida, this is typically managed by the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) or a similar state office.

To receive the property, you usually must:

1. Search for your name or the name of the person or business.
2. File a claim on the official Florida unclaimed property website or by mail.
3. Submit required documents to prove you are entitled to the asset.

This article focuses on step 3: documents needed to claim unclaimed assets in Florida.

Key Factors That Affect What Documents You Need

The exact documents can vary, but they usually depend on:

• Your relationship to the property

  • Are you the original owner?
  • A surviving spouse or heir?
  • Executor or personal representative of an estate?
  • Owner or officer of a business?

• Type of owner name on the account

  • Individual person
  • Joint owners
  • Trust
  • Business or organization

• Type and value of the property

  • Cash vs. tangible items (like safe deposit contents)
  • Large amounts may require more proof than small amounts

Because of these differences, Florida’s official agency may ask for different documentation from one claimant to another. The lists below describe common document requests, not an official or complete list.

Core Documents Almost Everyone Needs

Most claimants in Florida should be ready with three main types of documents:

1. Proof of Identity

You are usually required to provide government-issued photo ID, such as:

• Florida driver license
• State-issued ID card
• U.S. passport
• Military ID (if accepted by the agency)
• Other government-issued photo ID with your full legal name

If your ID is expired, the state may or may not accept it, so it is usually safer to provide:

• A current, unexpired ID, and possibly
• Additional documents that confirm your name and address, such as:
  • Utility bills
  • Bank statements
  • Lease agreements
  • Tax documents

2. Proof of Social Security Number or Tax ID

To help confirm your identity and avoid fraud, you might be asked for:

• A copy of your Social Security card, or
• A tax document showing your full Social Security number (SSN), such as:
  • W-2
  • 1099
  • Recent tax return (with SSN visible, if requested)

For business claims, you may need the Employer Identification Number (EIN) documents instead.

3. Proof of Address or Connection to the Property

Often, the unclaimed asset is tied to a past address or account. You may need to show you lived at or received mail at that address, or that you controlled that account, for example:

• Old utility bills
• Bank or credit card statements
• Lease or mortgage documents
• Insurance policy statements
• Pay stubs or employer records
• Old driver licenses with the matching address

If the property record displays a specific address, it helps if you can show any document with your name and that same address.

Common Document Requirements by Claim Type

The following table summarizes typical documents for different types of claims in Florida. Always confirm the exact requirements with the official Florida unclaimed property office.

Documents for Individuals Claiming Their Own Property

If you are the original owner of the unclaimed assets in Florida (meaning the property is in your name and you are still living), you will usually need:

Basic Required Documents

• Government-issued photo ID
• Proof of Social Security number
• Proof of your current address
• Proof of your past address or connection if the unclaimed asset is tied to a previous address

For example, if the record shows an old address in Orlando and a utility company as the holder, you might provide:

• A copy of your old utility bill or
• An old lease or
• Bank statements mailed to that address

If Your Name Has Changed

If the unclaimed property is listed under a maiden name or former legal name, Florida usually requires proof that:

• The old name and current name belong to the same person.

You may be asked for:

• Marriage certificate (for maiden name to married name)
• Divorce decree (if it shows name change)
• Court order for legal name change
• Adoption records (in some cases)

Documents Needed When the Owner Is Deceased

A large number of unclaimed asset claims involve deceased owners. In Florida, the documents you need usually depend on whether there was probate (court handling of the estate) and your role (heir, spouse, executor, etc.).

1. Essential Documents in Most Deceased Owner Cases

• Death certificate for the original owner
• Your government-issued photo ID
• Proof of your Social Security number
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased, which might include:
  • Marriage certificate (for surviving spouse)
  • Birth certificate (for child or parent relationships)
  • Adoption documents (if applicable)

2. If There Is a Will or Probate Case

If the estate went through formal probate in Florida (or another state), you may also need:

• Letters of administration (showing who is the personal representative)
• Order of summary administration (for smaller estates)
• Any court orders assigning property or rights to the heirs or personal representative
• A copy of the will, if requested, especially if it names beneficiaries

In many cases, the personal representative named by the court is the one who must file the claim, then distribute the funds according to the estate.

3. If There Was No Formal Probate

For smaller estates or older cases, there may be no probate file. In those situations, the Florida agency may request:

• A death certificate
• Affidavits signed by heirs (sometimes notarized)
• Family tree information or heirship affidavits

The exact form and requirements are usually provided by the official Florida unclaimed property office after you start the claim.

Documents for Business or Organization Claims

If the unclaimed asset belongs to a business, nonprofit, or other organization, the person filing the claim must usually prove both:

1. The business’s identity, and
2. Their authority to act for the business.

Typical Documents

• Photo ID of the person filing
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) documentation, such as:
  • IRS letter assigning the EIN
  • Tax returns for the business
• Business formation or registration documents, for example:
  • Articles of incorporation (corporation)
  • Articles of organization (LLC)
  • Partnership agreement
  • Fictitious name registration or DBA paperwork
• Proof of current business status, such as:
  • State registration showing the business is active or the last known status
  • Business license or professional license (when relevant)

Proof of Authority to Claim

You may also need to show that you are allowed to represent the company:

• Corporate resolution naming you as an authorized signer
• Operating agreement (LLC) listing you as a member/manager
• Partnership agreement listing you as a partner
• Board meeting minutes or official letter on company letterhead granting authority
• For dissolved businesses, documents showing who has rights to the remaining assets

Documents for Trusts and Trustees

When unclaimed assets are held in the name of a trust, the state typically needs to see:

• Trustee’s photo ID
• Proof of SSN (or EIN if the trust has one)
• Portions of the trust document that confirm:
  • The name of the trust
  • The trustee’s name
  • The date of the trust
  • Any relevant successor trustee provisions

Some offices allow you to redact sensitive financial information from the trust documents, as long as the key proof of authority and identity is clear.

How the Document Submission Process Usually Works in Florida

While exact steps can change, claiming unclaimed assets in Florida commonly involves:

1. Search the official Florida unclaimed property database

   • Use your legal name, former names, business name, or a deceased relative’s name.

2. Select the property and start a claim

   • On the official website or by requesting forms by mail.

3. Receive claim instructions

   • After you start your claim, you usually get a list of specific documents required for that claim. The list may be shown online, emailed, or mailed to you.

4. Gather and submit documents

   • Common methods include:
     • Uploading scanned copies through the official portal
     • Mailing copies to the address provided by the agency
   • In some cases, original or certified copies (for example, death certificates or court orders) may be required. Always read the instructions carefully.

5. Wait for review

   • The agency will review your claim and documents, and may:
     • Approve and issue payment
     • Request more information
     • Deny the claim if the requirements are not met

6. Receive the funds or property

   • Usually by check mailed to you.
   • For tangible property (like safe deposit box contents), there may be special procedures or time limits.

HowToGetAssistance.org does not handle these steps; you must go through the official Florida state office or website.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied in Florida

Many issues come down to missing or incomplete documentation. Some frequent problems include:

• Name mismatch

  • Claim filed under “Mary A. Johnson,” but property is under “Mary Ann Smith.”
  • Solution: Provide name change documents (marriage certificate, court order).

• Insufficient proof of address or ownership

  • No document showing you ever lived at the address tied to the account.
  • Solution: Look for old bills, statements, leases, or tax documents.

• Unclear relationship to deceased owner

  • Heir files a claim but does not provide documents proving the family relationship.
  • Solution: Provide birth certificates, marriage certificates, or adoption records.

• No probate documents when required

  • For larger estates, the agency might require letters of administration or other court orders.
  • Solution: Contact the probate court in the county where the deceased lived to learn whether such documents exist.

• Illegible or incomplete copies

  • Blurry scans, cropped documents, or missing pages.
  • Solution: Send clear, full-page copies and verify that names, dates, and court stamps are visible.

If your claim is denied, you can usually contact the Florida unclaimed property office to ask what went wrong and whether you can submit additional documents or file a new claim.

How to Prepare Before You Start a Florida Claim

To make the process smoother, consider gathering these items before starting an official claim:

• 🔹 Current government photo ID
• 🔹 Social Security card or recent W-2/1099
• 🔹 Proof of current address (recent utility bill, bank statement, or lease)
• 🔹 Older documents for any prior addresses you’ve had in Florida
• 🔹 For name changes: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court name change order
• 🔹 For deceased relatives: death certificate and relationship proof (birth/marriage certificates)
• 🔹 For estates: probate documents (letters of administration, summary administration orders, wills)
• 🔹 For businesses: formation documents, EIN paperwork, and proof of authority

Having these ready can cut down on back-and-forth with the state office.

How to Verify You Are Using an Official Florida Channel

Because unclaimed property often involves personal information and potential payments, scams do exist. Some people receive letters, emails, or calls offering to “recover” funds for a fee.

To reduce your risk:

• Check that you are on an official government website.
  • Florida state sites typically:
    • Use “.gov” domains for primary state pages, or
    • Are clearly identified as part of the Florida Department of Financial Services or another Florida agency.
• Avoid paying upfront fees just to find or claim your own unclaimed property.
  • Many people search and claim property directly through the state for free.
• Be cautious about sharing personal information (SSN, date of birth, bank info) with any private individual or company unless you have independently verified their legitimacy.
• If you are unsure, you can:
  • Call the main phone number of the Florida Department of Financial Services (as listed on the official state website) and ask to confirm:
    • Whether a specific letter or email is legitimate, and
    • The correct, official way to file your claim.

Remember: HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency and cannot check claim status or verify outside communications for you.

If You Don’t Qualify or You Can’t Prove Ownership

Sometimes, even after trying, a person cannot provide the documents Florida requires to prove they are the rightful owner or heir. In that case, your options may include:

• Contact the Florida unclaimed property office directly

  • Ask whether there are alternative documents they will accept.
  • In some cases, you may be able to provide affidavits or additional supporting records.

• Speak with an attorney

  • For complex estates, unclear heirship, or missing legal documents, some people choose to consult a Florida probate or estate attorney for guidance.

• Review public records

  • County property appraiser, clerk of court, or tax collector records sometimes provide supporting documents that can help show address history or family relationships.

If you ultimately cannot meet Florida’s documentation requirements, the state may be unable to release the property, even if you believe it belongs to you.

By understanding the documents needed to claim unclaimed assets in Florida and preparing them in advance, you can reduce delays and move more confidently through the official process. When you are ready, use the official Florida unclaimed property website or state office contact information to start your claim, follow their specific instructions, and submit the requested documents through their approved channels.