Surplus Funds HQ

Orange County surplus funds list

California · unclaimed money left over from tax deed and foreclosure sales.

$0unclaimed on the list
0records
$0largest surplus
0over $10,000
Is this your former property? You can claim surplus yourself, free, from Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector. How to claim →

Getting the Orange County list

The Orange County surplus list is empty right now: the official page lists no unclaimed surplus. New surplus is usually posted after each sale; we check it daily.

Official page →

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California surplus funds rules

Sales that create surplus
Tax-defaulted property (tax deed) auction by county treasurer-tax collector (Rev & Tax Code 4671-4676); Non-judicial trustee sale under deed of trust (Civ. Code 2924j/2924k); Judicial mortgage foreclosure (court-ordered; HOA assessment-lien foreclosures run as trustee sales (same 2924j process) -
Who holds the money
Tax sale: county treasurer-tax collector (excess proceeds trust fund). Trustee sale: trustee; if priority disputed, deposited with superior court clerk or interpleaded (Civ. 2924j(c)-(d)).
Unclaimed funds go to
Tax sale: excess not claimed within 1 year after the tax deed is recorded goes to the county general fund (RTC 4674/4676; Riverside Board items confirm unclaimed balances transferred to general fund). Trustee sale: surplus not deposited with court is handled under the Unclaimed Property Law (CCP 1500 et seq., State Controller) per 2924j.
How owners claim
Tax sale: county 'Claim for Excess Proceeds' form filed with the county treasurer-tax collector; notarized if over $50 in OC. Trustee sale: written claim, signed under penalty of perjury, sent to the trustee within 30 days of the trustee's notice. If funds were deposited with the court, file a claim with the superior court within 30 days of the deposit notice; the hearing is held within 90 days. — deadline: Tax sale: claim must be postmarked within 1 year after the tax deed to the purchaser is recorded (RTC 4675). Trustee sale: 30 days after the trustee's notice; the trustee mails notice within 30 days after the deed is executed.
Agent / finder fee cap
Tax sale (RTC 4675): no statutory percentage cap found in the current text (FindLaw/public.law, Jan 1 2025). Any assignment must disclose the amount of the excess and the value of the right being assigned. A 10% cap or an 'AB 2523' amendment could not be verified and appears not to exist. State-held unclaimed property (CCP 1582): investigator fee capped at 10%; agreements void within 24 months of escheat (from memory, this session). verify

Law: Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code 4675, 4676; Civ. Code 2924j, 2924k, 2924.21; Civ. Code 2945 et seq.; CCP 1582 · confirm details with the county; rules change.

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Questions

Where does the Orange County surplus funds list come from?

From the official list published by Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector (source). Surplus Funds HQ checks it daily and last found it updated Sep 17, 2025.

How do I claim surplus funds in Orange County?

The former owner (or heirs) files a claim with the office that holds the funds, usually with ID and proof of ownership. It is free to do yourself. See how to claim surplus funds; in California: Tax sale: claim must be postmarked within 1 year after the tax deed to the purchaser is recorded (RTC 4675). Trustee sale: 30 days after the trustee's notice.

Can someone else claim the money for me?

Yes, recovery agents and attorneys do this for a fee, but California law may cap the fee or require a waiting period (Tax sale (RTC 4675): no statutory percentage cap found in the current text (FindLaw/public.law, Jan 1 2025). Any assignment must disclose the amount of the excess and the value of the right being assigned. A 10% cap or an 'AB 2523' amendment could not be verified and appears not to exist. State-held unclaimed property (CCP 1582): investigator fee capped at 10%). Read any contract carefully; you never need an agent to file.