Jefferson County Unclaimed Money

Unclaimed money in Jefferson County goes through the Alabama State Treasury. The county probate court helps with estate documents for heir claims. Birmingham serves as the county seat.

How to Search for Unclaimed Money

All unclaimed property in Alabama goes to the State Treasury. This applies to Jefferson County residents just like everyone else. The state holds over $1.3 billion waiting for rightful owners. Your name could be on the list.

The search is free. Takes about two minutes. Go to the official state portal and enter your name. Check under maiden names and old addresses too.

To search the state database:

• Visit alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
• Enter your first and last name
• Add Birmingham or your city to narrow results
• Click on any matching records
• File a claim if you find your property

The state charges nothing to search or file claims. Third-party finder services exist but are never needed. Under Code of Alabama Section 35-12-93, finder fees are capped at 10%. Save that money and file directly for free.

Jefferson County Probate Court

The probate court helps with estate documents. These papers support heir claims for deceased relatives. The court handles wills, letters of administration, and death certificates. It does not process unclaimed money claims directly. That goes through the state.

Jefferson County has multiple courthouse locations. The main office sits in downtown Birmingham. Satellite offices serve Bessemer, Center Point, and Hoover. Call ahead to check which location handles your needs.

The Bessemer Division at 1801 3rd Avenue North serves west Jefferson County. Other locations in Center Point and Hoover handle specific services. Check the website or call to confirm which office you need.

Getting Estate Documents for Heir Claims

Heirs need specific documents to claim money for deceased relatives. The state treasury requires proof of death and proof of relationship. County probate courts provide these papers.

Documents you may need:

• Certified death certificate
• Letters of administration or testamentary
• Copy of the will if one exists
• Birth certificate showing relationship
• Marriage certificate if spouse

The probate court charges fees for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call ahead to get current prices. Some documents take time to process. Start early if you need papers for an heir claim.

You can request documents in person, by mail, or through the online portal. Jefferson County offers more online services than most Alabama counties. The Landmark Web system lets you search and view many records from home.

Online Records Access

Jefferson County provides good online access to probate records. The Landmark Web portal covers land records, marriage licenses, and recorded documents. Basic searching is free. Some features require registration.

Online resources:

• Landmark Web Portal - Land and recorded documents
• Probate Court Website - Forms and information
• State Unclaimed Property - Search for money

The county also offers fraud alert services. You can sign up to get notices when documents are recorded in your name. This helps catch property fraud early.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Many kinds of assets end up as unclaimed property. Banks, employers, insurance companies, and utilities all report dormant accounts. These funds wait at the state treasury.

Common unclaimed property in Jefferson County:

• Old bank accounts from closed branches
• Final paychecks from jobs you left
• Insurance payouts and annuities
• Utility deposits from old addresses
• Stock dividends and mutual funds
• Safe deposit box contents
• Uncashed refund checks

Birmingham's size means lots of unclaimed money originates here. Major employers like UAB, Alabama Power, and Regions Bank have all reported dormant accounts over the years. Former employees should definitely check the database.

About Jefferson County

Jefferson County is Alabama's most populous county. Over 674,000 people live here. The county formed in 1819 when Alabama became a state. It takes its name from President Thomas Jefferson.

Birmingham dominates the county. The city grew fast in the late 1800s thanks to iron and steel production. Raw materials sat right under the ground. Factories drew workers from across the South. People called it the Magic City for its rapid growth.

Today the economy has shifted. Healthcare leads the job market now. UAB Hospital ranks among the nation's top research facilities. Banking and finance also employ thousands. The tech sector grows each year. All these industries generate unclaimed property when employees move on or accounts go dormant.

Contact the State Treasury

Have questions about unclaimed money? The state treasury runs the program. Staff can help with searches and claims. Contact them directly for assistance.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County has many cities. All residents use the same state unclaimed property search. City pages provide local resources for those areas.

Other cities in Jefferson County include Bessemer, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Trussville, Gardendale, Hueytown, Center Point, Irondale, Leeds, and Pleasant Grove.

Nearby Counties

If you have ties to areas near Jefferson County, check these neighbors too. Unclaimed property follows where you lived, not where you live now.