Houston County Unclaimed Money

Unclaimed money for Houston County residents is held by the Alabama State Treasury. The probate court in Dothan provides estate documents needed for heir claims.

How to Search for Unclaimed Money

Alabama holds over $1.3 billion in unclaimed property. The State Treasury manages all of it until owners come forward. Houston County residents use the same search system as everyone else. Some of that money might have your name on it.

Searching is free. No fees, no catches. The state wants to return money to rightful owners. The whole process takes just a couple of minutes online.

How to search the database:

• Go to alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
• Enter your first and last name
• Add Dothan to narrow results
• Review any matches
• File a claim for your property

Try every name you have used. Maiden names matter. So do old married names and nicknames. The database may list you under a name from years ago. Also search for deceased family members. With the right documentation, heirs can claim property left behind by relatives.

Finder services exist but charge fees. Code of Alabama Section 35-12-93 caps those fees at 10%. File directly with the state and keep all your money.

Houston County Probate Court

The probate court handles estate matters in Houston County. This includes wills, guardianships, and administration of estates. The court provides documents for heir claims on unclaimed property. The actual money claims go to the state treasury, not the local court.

The probate office is in downtown Dothan at the county courthouse. Staff can explain what documents you need and how to get copies. The probate judge also handles marriage licenses and some property records.

Houston County shares the 20th Judicial Circuit with Henry County. Circuit court handles matters beyond probate jurisdiction. Houston County is the larger partner and Dothan serves as the main court center for the circuit.

Getting Estate Documents for Heir Claims

Claiming money for someone who died requires documentation. The state needs proof that the person passed away and that you have a legal right to their property. The probate court provides most of these documents.

Documents commonly needed:

• Certified death certificate
• Letters of administration or letters testamentary
• Copy of the will if one exists
• Birth certificate proving relationship
• Marriage certificate for surviving spouse

Fees apply for copies from the court. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call ahead to check current prices. Some older records may take extra time to retrieve from archives.

Get documents in person or by mail. For in-person visits, bring photo ID. Mail requests need a written letter with specifics, payment for fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Online Records Access

Houston County provides good online access to some records and services. The county website has information about offices and some downloadable forms. For detailed searches, you may need to contact the office directly.

Online resources:

• Houston County Government - Official county website
• State Unclaimed Property - Search for money
• Alacourt ACCESS - Statewide court records

The state unclaimed property portal is the best place to search for lost money. It covers all of Alabama and is free. Alacourt offers court records statewide but charges subscription fees.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Many things become unclaimed property. Banks, employers, insurance companies, and utilities report dormant accounts to the state. When owners cannot be found, the money goes to the treasury.

Common types:

• Dormant bank accounts
• Uncashed paychecks
• Insurance benefits and payouts
• Utility deposits
• Stock dividends and shares
• Safe deposit box contents
• Refund checks

Houston County has a strong and diverse economy. Healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and agriculture all provide jobs. Dothan Regional Medical Center and other healthcare facilities employ thousands. When workers retire, change jobs, or move away, they sometimes leave accounts behind. Former residents and their families should check the state database.

About Houston County

Houston County sits in southeast Alabama and is the youngest county in the state. It was created in 1903 from parts of Dale, Geneva, and Henry counties. The county was named for George Smith Houston, who served as Alabama governor and U.S. Senator.

Dothan is the county seat and largest city with about 72,000 people. The city calls itself the "Peanut Capital of the World" because of the peanut farming in the region. The National Peanut Festival is held here each fall. Dothan serves as the commercial and medical hub for the entire Wiregrass region.

The local economy is diverse. Healthcare is a major sector, along with retail trade serving the surrounding rural areas. Some manufacturing and logistics operations take advantage of the highway network. All this economic activity creates accounts, deposits, and payments that can become unclaimed when people move on.

Contact the State Treasury

Have questions about unclaimed property? The Alabama State Treasury runs the program. Their Unclaimed Property Division handles all searches and claims statewide. Houston County residents use this same office.

Cities in Houston County

Houston County has several communities. All residents use the same state portal to search for unclaimed money. Dothan qualifies for its own city page based on population.

Other communities in Houston County include Ashford, Cowarts, Columbia, Cottonwood, Gordon, Kinsey, Madrid, and Taylor.

Nearby Counties

Have ties to areas around Houston County? Check these neighboring counties for unclaimed property. Search under any address where you lived.