Shelby County Unclaimed Property

Unclaimed money in Shelby County goes through the Alabama State Treasury. The county probate court in Columbiana 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 Shelby County residents just like everyone else. The state holds over $1.3 billion waiting for rightful owners. With Shelby County'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 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.

Shelby 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.

Shelby County has a modern courthouse complex in Columbiana. The building serves one of Alabama's fastest-growing counties. Staff can help locate records and provide certified copies. Call ahead to check wait times.

Shelby County is part of the 18th Judicial Circuit. The probate court handles estates, wills, guardianships, and marriages. Given the county's size, expect some wait times. Call ahead to schedule when possible.

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. Check the Shelby County website for 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. Shelby County offers good online services. The web system lets you search and order records from home.

Online Records Access

Shelby County provides good online access to probate records. The county website links to search portals and forms. Modern systems make searching easier than in many Alabama counties.

Online resources:

• Probate Court Website - Forms and information
• State Unclaimed Property - Search for money
• Alacourt ACCESS - Court records statewide

The county website provides forms and instructions. Alacourt covers circuit court records. For probate matters specifically, the Shelby County portal offers helpful tools.

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 Shelby 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

Shelby County has grown fast in recent decades. People move in and out constantly. New residents should check under their old addresses in other states. Long-time residents should search under maiden names and past addresses here.

About Shelby County

Shelby County sits just south of Birmingham. Over 231,000 people live here, making it one of Alabama's most populous counties. The county formed in 1818 and was named for Revolutionary War hero Isaac Shelby.

Columbiana serves as the county seat, though it is not the largest city. Hoover and Pelham have more people. The Riverchase Galleria draws shoppers from across the region. Oak Mountain State Park provides outdoor recreation.

The county has some of Alabama's best schools. Families move here for the school systems. Property values have risen with the growth. All that turnover creates unclaimed property when people move. Check the state database if you have any connection to Shelby County.

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 Shelby County

Shelby County has one city that crosses the 50,000 threshold (partly in Jefferson County). All county residents use the same state unclaimed property search.

Other cities in Shelby County include Pelham, Alabaster, Helena, Chelsea, Calera, Montevallo, and Columbiana.

Nearby Counties

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