Find Unclaimed Money in Dale County

Unclaimed money for Dale County residents goes through the Alabama State Treasury. The probate court in Ozark handles estate papers that support heir claims.

How to Search for Unclaimed Money

The Alabama State Treasury holds all unclaimed property for the state. Dale County follows the same rules as every other county. The state has more than $1.3 billion waiting for rightful owners. Some of that money may belong to you or your family.

Searching is free and takes just a few minutes. You don't need to hire anyone to do it for you. The state wants to give the money back to its rightful owners. That means no fees, no catches, and no strings attached.

Here is how to search the state database:

• Go to alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
• Type in your first and last name
• Add Ozark or your city to narrow down the results
• Look through any records that come up
• Start a claim if you find property that belongs to you

Search under all the names you have used. Check maiden names, nicknames, and names from past marriages. Also search for relatives who may have passed away. Heirs can claim money that belonged to deceased family members with the right documents.

Under Code of Alabama Section 35-12-93, third-party finder fees are capped at 10%. You can skip those fees entirely by filing directly with the state for free.

Dale County Probate Court

The probate court in Dale County helps with estate documents. These records support claims for deceased relatives. The court handles wills, death certificates, and letters of administration. It does not process unclaimed money claims. Those go straight to the state treasury.

Dale County's probate office sits in Ozark, the county seat. The staff can help you get copies of documents you need. They can also explain the probate process if you have questions about estates.

The county shares its judicial circuit with Coffee and Geneva counties. This is the 33rd Judicial Circuit of Alabama. Court matters that go beyond probate are handled through that circuit system.

Getting Estate Documents for Heir Claims

When you file a claim for a deceased relative, the state needs proof. You must show that the person died and that you have a right to their property. The probate court provides the documents you need.

Papers you may need for an heir claim:

• Certified death certificate
• Letters of administration from the court
• Copy of the will if there was one
• Birth certificate to prove relationship
• Marriage certificate if you are the spouse

Getting these papers takes time. The probate court has fees for copies and certifications. Plan ahead if you know you will need these documents. Some heir claims take weeks or months to process because of the paperwork involved.

You can request records in person at the courthouse or by mail. Bring valid ID when you visit. For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for the fees. Call ahead to confirm current prices.

Online Records Access

Dale County has some online access to records. The county website provides basic information about services. For full record searches, you may need to contact the office directly or visit in person.

Online resources for Dale County:

• Dale County Government - Official county website
• State Unclaimed Property - Search for money
• Alacourt ACCESS - Statewide court records (subscription)

The state unclaimed property portal is the best place to search for lost money. It covers all of Alabama, including Dale County. The Alacourt system requires a paid subscription but offers access to court records statewide.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Many types of assets can become unclaimed property. When businesses cannot find the owners, they must turn the funds over to the state. The state then tries to locate the rightful owners.

Common types of unclaimed property in Dale County:

• Bank accounts that went dormant
• Uncashed paychecks from old jobs
• Insurance payouts and benefits
• Utility deposits from old addresses
• Stocks, bonds, and dividends
• Contents of safe deposit boxes
• Refund checks that were never cashed

Fort Rucker, now called Fort Novosel, sits partly in Dale County. Military families often move frequently and may have unclaimed property from previous addresses. Former service members and their families should check the database under all past addresses.

About Dale County

Dale County sits in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama. About 49,000 people live here. The county was formed in 1824 and named for General Samuel Dale, a hero of the Creek War.

Ozark serves as the county seat. The city has about 15,000 residents. Fort Novosel, formerly Fort Rucker, is the main economic driver in the area. The Army aviation training base employs thousands of people directly and supports many more jobs in the local economy.

The military presence means a lot of turnover in the population. People come for training or duty assignments and then move on. This movement creates opportunities for unclaimed property. Accounts get opened, deposits get made, and then people PCS to a new location without closing everything out. Years later, that money sits in the state database waiting to be claimed.

Contact the State Treasury

The Alabama State Treasury runs the unclaimed property program. They can answer questions about searches and claims. The staff handles all claims for the entire state, including Dale County.

Cities in Dale County

Dale County has several cities and towns. All residents search for unclaimed money through the same state portal. No cities in Dale County have populations over 50,000.

Cities and towns in Dale County include Ozark, Daleville, Level Plains, Midland City, Newton, Ariton, Clayhatchee, Grimes, and Napier Field. Daleville sits right next to Fort Novosel and serves many military families.

Nearby Counties

If you have lived in areas near Dale County, check these neighboring counties too. Unclaimed property is tied to where you lived when the account was active.