Tuscaloosa County Unclaimed Property

Unclaimed money in Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa County residents just like everyone else. The state holds over $1.3 billion waiting for rightful owners. With Tuscaloosa's large university population, plenty of that money belongs to people who lived 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 Tuscaloosa 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.

Tuscaloosa 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.

Tuscaloosa County has a courthouse complex downtown. The office handles high volume given the county's population. Staff can help locate records and provide certified copies. Call ahead to check wait times.

Tuscaloosa County is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit. The probate court sits in the main courthouse complex. The office handles a large number of estates and marriages each year. Parking is available nearby.

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 Tuscaloosa 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 online. Tuscaloosa County offers good online services. The web system lets you search and order records from home.

Online Records Access

Tuscaloosa County provides good online access to probate records. The county website links to various search portals. Modern systems make searching easier.

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 Tuscaloosa County portal offers helpful tools and information.

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 Tuscaloosa 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

The University of Alabama brings students from across the nation. Many leave town after graduation without forwarding addresses. Former students should search for deposits and refunds they may have left behind. Mercedes-Benz workers who transferred should also check.

About Tuscaloosa County

Tuscaloosa County sits in west-central Alabama. Over 227,000 people live here. The county formed in 1818 and was named for a Choctaw chief. Tuscaloosa itself served as Alabama's capital from 1826 to 1846.

The University of Alabama dominates the city. The flagship state university enrolls over 38,000 students. Football Saturdays bring over 100,000 people to Bryant-Denny Stadium. The school and its hospital employ thousands.

Mercedes-Benz operates a major auto plant in the county. The factory has drawn suppliers and workers. The local economy has diversified beyond the university. All that employment turnover creates unclaimed property. Check the state database if you have any connection to Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa County

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

Other cities in Tuscaloosa County include Northport, Brookwood, Coaling, Vance, and Coker.

Nearby Counties

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