Marion County Unclaimed Property
Unclaimed money in Marion County goes through the Alabama State Treasury. The probate court in Hamilton handles estate documents for heir claims.
Marion County Quick Facts
How to Search for Unclaimed Money
All unclaimed property in Alabama goes to the State Treasury. This applies to Marion County residents just like everyone else. The state holds over $1.3 billion waiting for rightful owners. Some of that money could belong to you or your family.
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. People find forgotten money all the time.
To search the state database:
- Visit alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
- Enter your first and last name
- Add Hamilton 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.
Marion 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.
Marion County has one probate office in Hamilton. The courthouse sits in downtown near the town square. Staff can help you find what you need. Call ahead to check hours and make sure they have the records you want.
| Main Office | Marion County Courthouse 132 Military St S Hamilton, AL 35570 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (205) 921-2471 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Probate Judge | Karen Cooner |
| Website | marioncountyal.org |
Marion County is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit along with Fayette, Lamar, and Walker counties. The circuit court handles larger civil and criminal matters. Probate court focuses on estates, wills, guardianships, and marriages.
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. Without proper documents, your claim will stall.
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. Recording fees run about $3.00 per page in most Alabama counties. 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 or by mail. Bring valid ID when visiting. Mail requests should include what you need, your contact info, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow one to two weeks for processing.
Online Records Access
Marion County offers some online access to records. The county website provides basic info and links to services. For detailed probate records, you may need to visit or call.
Online resources:
- Marion County Website - County information
- State Unclaimed Property - Search for money
- Alacourt ACCESS - Court records statewide
Alacourt provides access to circuit court records across Alabama. Subscription fees apply. For probate matters specifically, contact the Marion County office directly. They can tell you what records are available and how to get them.
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 Marion 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
Marion County has seen businesses come and go over the years. When companies close or merge, some accounts get lost in the shuffle. Former employees and customers should search for their names. You never know what might be waiting.
About Marion County
Marion County sits in northwest Alabama. About 30,000 people live here. The county formed in 1818, making it one of the oldest in the state. It was named for Francis Marion, the Revolutionary War hero known as the Swamp Fox.
Hamilton serves as the county seat. The town has about 6,700 residents. Manufacturing and healthcare provide many local jobs. The area has strong ties to nearby Mississippi and Tennessee.
The Buttahatchee River runs through the county. Bear Creek Lake offers recreation for residents. Several small towns dot the rural landscape. If your family lived in this area, check the state database under their names. Unclaimed property often goes back decades.
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.
| 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 Marion County
Marion County has several small towns. No cities here meet the 50,000 population threshold for a dedicated page. All residents use the same state unclaimed property search.
Towns in Marion County include Hamilton (county seat), Winfield, Guin, Hackleburg, Bear Creek, Brilliant, and Twin. For any of these areas, search the state database by name.
Nearby Counties
If you have ties to areas near Marion County, check these neighbors too. Unclaimed property follows where you lived, not where you live now.