Are some Sarasota residents owed money from the county?

Hundreds of Sarasota residents and businesses have unclaimed money being held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court from court-related activities.

Unclaimed money can stem from reasons including uncashed checks issued by the clerk, excess funds from court proceedings and court deposits or refunds. 

Residents on the list are owed anywhere from $15 to more than $1,500.

Florida Statutes require the clerk to post the list of residents eligible to receive unclaimed money every July. Residents and businesses have until Sept. 1 to claim it. If they don’t claim it, the money goes into the county’s fine and forfeiture fund, which is used to support court-related costs.

If a resident or business’ name is on the list, they need to submit a notarized affidavit for stop payment form to the clerk’s Finance Department. If approved, a check will be issued to the address listed on the form.