Cherokee County Unclaimed Money
Unclaimed money in Cherokee County is held by the Alabama State Treasury. The probate court in Centre provides estate documents for heir claims.
Cherokee County Quick Facts
How to Search for Unclaimed Money
Alabama holds all unclaimed property at the State Treasury in Montgomery. Cherokee County residents use the same statewide database. The treasury keeps over $1.3 billion in unclaimed funds. Some of that could belong to Cherokee County families.
The search is free and quick. Takes about two minutes. Go to the state website and enter your name. Try maiden names and old spellings too.
How to search:
- Visit alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
- Enter your first and last name
- Add Centre or Gaylesville to narrow results
- Review any matches that appear
- File a claim if you find your property
No cost to search. No cost to claim. Alabama caps finder fees at 10% for third parties. But you can file directly and keep all your money.
Cherokee County Probate Court
The probate court operates from the courthouse in Centre. It handles estates, wills, guardianships, and vital records. Marriage licenses go through here too. The court does not process unclaimed money claims directly. Those go to the state. But heir claims need documents from this office.
Centre sits near Weiss Lake, known for bass fishing. The lake draws visitors and seasonal residents. The courthouse serves the whole county from this location.
| Office | Cherokee County Probate Court 260 Cedar Bluff Road Centre, AL 35960 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 927-3668 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Probate Judge | Contact office for current judge |
| Website | cherokeecounty-al.gov |
Call ahead to confirm hours and required documents.
Estate Documents for Heir Claims
When claiming money for someone who died, you need proof. The state requires evidence of death and your right to inherit. The probate court provides these documents.
Common documents needed:
- Certified death certificate
- Letters of administration or testamentary
- Copy of the will if one exists
- Birth certificate proving family ties
- Marriage certificate for spouse claims
Certified copies have fees. The actual unclaimed money search and claim are free through the state.
Allow time for processing. Start early if you anticipate needing papers for a claim.
Online Records Access
Cherokee County has a website with basic county information. Online records access is limited compared to larger counties. For detailed records, call or visit the probate office.
Online resources:
- Cherokee County Website - General information
- State Unclaimed Property - Money search
The state portal has the most current unclaimed money data. It covers all of Alabama.
Types of Unclaimed Property
Many things become unclaimed property. Holders report dormant accounts to the state when owners cannot be found. The money sits there waiting.
Common unclaimed property:
- Bank accounts gone dormant
- Uncashed payroll checks
- Insurance proceeds
- Utility deposits
- Stock dividends
- Safe deposit contents
- Vendor refunds
Cherokee County has many seasonal residents around Weiss Lake. Lake property owners who moved away might have old utility deposits. Fishermen who kept property here for years could have dormant accounts. Search under all addresses where you owned property or did business.
About Cherokee County
Cherokee County sits in northeast Alabama along the Georgia border. The county formed in 1836 from lands of the Cherokee Nation. About 26,000 people live here. Centre serves as the county seat. The county keeps its name from the Cherokee people who lived here before removal.
Weiss Lake dominates the area. Known as the "Crappie Capital of the World," the lake draws anglers year-round. Lookout Mountain runs through the western part of the county. Little River Canyon National Preserve protects scenic wilderness nearby.
Agriculture and timber shaped early settlement. Tourism around the lake matters now. Many families have roots here going back generations. Old accounts from farming operations, timber sales, or family businesses might still be waiting.
Contact the State Treasury
Questions about unclaimed money go to Montgomery. Local courts cannot help with claims. Contact the state directly.
| Office | Alabama State Treasury, Unclaimed Property Division |
|---|---|
| Address | RSA Union Building 100 North Union Street, Suite 636 Montgomery, AL 36104 |
| Toll-Free | (888) 844-8400 |
| Local | (334) 242-9614 |
| unclaimed@treasury.alabama.gov |
Cities in Cherokee County
Cherokee County has no cities over 50,000 population. Centre is the largest with about 3,600 residents. Cedar Bluff has around 2,300.
Other communities include Gaylesville, Leesburg, Sand Rock, and Piedmont. Search the state database using any of these city names.
Nearby Counties
Cherokee County borders Georgia and several Alabama counties. Check neighbors if you have ties there.