Santa Fe County surplus funds list
New Mexico · unclaimed money left over from tax deed and foreclosure sales.
Getting the Santa Fe County list
No excess-proceeds list is published for Santa Fe County. Tax-delinquent property in Santa Fe County is auctioned by the NM Taxation and Revenue Department's Property Tax Division, not the county; it holds sale money above the taxes, penalties, interest and costs for the former owner, who claims it from the Division with proof of ownership within 2 years of the sale (NMSA 7-38-71). Ask the Property Tax Division (Delinquent Property Tax Bureau, Santa Fe) for excess balances from Santa Fe County sales with an Inspection of Public Records Act request; after 2 years unclaimed balances move to TRD's Unclaimed Property Office (search at tax.newmexico.gov).
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New Mexico surplus funds rules
- Sales that create surplus
- State tax sale by Taxation & Revenue Dept Property Tax Division (NMSA 7-38-65 to 7-38-71); Judicial mortgage foreclosure (NM is judicial-only for mortgages; HOA lien foreclosure (judicial)
- Who holds the money
- Property Tax Division (TRD) - proceeds into suspense fund; balance after costs, penalties/interest and delinquent taxes paid to former owner or court-designated person (7-38-71(A)).
- Unclaimed funds go to
- If no former owner claims within 2 years of sale and the department makes a reasonable search without finding one, balance becomes abandoned property under Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (NMSA 7-8A) (7-38-71(C)).
- How owners claim
- Claim to TRD Property Tax Division with proof of former ownership per department regulations; department may offset other property taxes owed; conflicting claims handled by regulation or court order. — deadline: 2 years from tax sale (then claim from TRD Unclaimed Property Office).
- Agent / finder fee cap
- No percentage cap; 'unconscionable' compensation unenforceable except by owner, court may reduce (7-8A-25). 7-38-71 itself has no finder rule.
Law: NMSA 1978 7-38-71; 7-8A-25 · confirm details with the county; rules change.
Questions
Where does the Santa Fe County surplus funds list come from?
From the official list published by Santa Fe County (source). Surplus Funds HQ checks it daily and last found it updated Oct 12, 2026.
How do I claim surplus funds in Santa Fe 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 New Mexico: 2 years from tax sale (then claim from TRD Unclaimed Property Office)..
Can someone else claim the money for me?
Yes, recovery agents and attorneys do this for a fee, but New Mexico law may cap the fee or require a waiting period (No percentage cap). Read any contract carefully; you never need an agent to file.