Mobile County Unclaimed Money

Unclaimed money in Mobile County goes through the Alabama State Treasury. The county probate court helps with estate documents for heir claims.

How to Search for Unclaimed Money

All unclaimed property in Alabama goes to the State Treasury. This applies to Mobile County residents just like everyone else. The state holds over $1.3 billion waiting for rightful owners. With Mobile's large population, plenty of that money belongs to people here.

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. Many people find money they forgot about.

To search the state database:

• Visit alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
• Enter your first and last name
• Add Mobile 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.

Mobile 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.

Mobile County has a dedicated probate court building downtown. The office handles a high volume given the county's size. Staff can help locate records and provide certified copies. Call ahead to check hours and availability.

Mobile County is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit. The probate court sits in the Government Plaza Complex. Parking can be tight downtown. Consider taking the elevator from the parking deck. The staff handles thousands of estate matters each year.

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 documentation, 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. Mobile County posts current fees on their website. Call ahead to verify prices before your visit. 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. Mobile County offers more online services than most Alabama counties. The Benchmark system lets you search and order records from home.

Online Records Access

Mobile County provides excellent online access to probate records. The Benchmark system covers land records, marriage licenses, and estate documents. Basic searching is free. Some features require registration.

Online resources:

• Benchmark Records Portal - Land and probate records
• Probate Court Website - Forms and information
• State Unclaimed Property - Search for money

The Benchmark system lets you search by name, date, or document type. You can view images of many recorded documents. Registration is free for basic access. Paid subscriptions unlock more features.

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 Mobile 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

Mobile's port and Airbus facility employ thousands. Workers who leave these jobs sometimes forget final pay or pension money. The shipbuilding industry has come and gone over the years. Former workers and their families should definitely check the database.

About Mobile County

Mobile County sits on Alabama's Gulf Coast. Over 429,000 people live here, making it the second most populous county in the state. The county formed in 1812, seven years before Alabama became a state. Mobile itself is one of the oldest cities in the region.

The Port of Mobile drives much of the economy. It ranks among the busiest ports on the Gulf. Airbus builds commercial aircraft at a major facility here. Shipbuilding, healthcare, and tourism also provide jobs. The diversity of employers means lots of dormant accounts exist.

Mobile claims to be the birthplace of Mardi Gras in America. The city held celebrations before New Orleans was founded. French colonists settled here in 1702. The long history means old accounts and estates going back generations. Families with deep roots here should check for unclaimed money.

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 Mobile County

Mobile County has one major city over 50,000. All county residents use the same state unclaimed property search.

Other cities in Mobile County include Prichard, Saraland, Chickasaw, Citronelle, Satsuma, Bayou La Batre, and Semmes.

Nearby Counties

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