Iowa surplus funds list
Unclaimed overages from tax deed and foreclosure sales.
Get new Iowa surplus the day it's posted
One email when any Iowa county list changes. Free.
Iowa surplus funds rules
- Sales that create surplus
- Mortgage foreclosure sheriff sale; Tax sale certificate -> tax deed (ch. 446-448): Iowa Code 2026 contains NO surplus/excess-proceeds provision; HOA lien foreclosure -
- Who holds the money
- Mortgage: sheriff/clerk of court; overplus paid to mortgagor if no other lien (654.7). Tax: none - no statutory surplus mechanism found in Iowa Code 2026 chs. 446/447/448.
- Unclaimed funds go to
- Unclaimed court funds -> State Treasurer Great Iowa Treasure Hunt (ch. 556) - timing . verify
- How owners claim
- Mortgage: application to court/clerk in foreclosure case. Tax: no statutory claim; owners pursue Tyler takings claims in court. — deadline: verify
- Agent / finder fee cap
- State unclaimed property: max 15% of recoverable property (Iowa Code 556.11(2) and 556.2 for state-held warrants).
- Waiting period
- Agreements made within 24 months after payment/delivery to the treasurer are unenforceable (556.11).
- Registration
- Must be licensed as a private investigation business under Iowa Code ch. 80A to collect a finder fee (556.11). Attorneys under bona fide fee contracts exempt.
- Getting the list
- Great Iowa Treasure Hunt (greatiowatreasurehunt.gov) for state-held funds; county clerk of court for sheriff-sale overplus - URLs . verify
Law: Iowa Code 556.11; 654.7 · confirm details with the county; rules change.
Questions
Is there a free Iowa surplus funds list?
Counties publish or provide lists on request; Surplus Funds HQ links to the official sources and is adding Iowa lists.
Who gets surplus funds in Iowa?
The former owner first (and lienholders in order of priority). The money is held by: Mortgage: sheriff/clerk of court.
What is the recovery agent fee cap in Iowa?
State unclaimed property: max 15% of recoverable property (Iowa Code 556.11(2) and 556.2 for state-held warrants).