Rev. Aug. 19, 2020.

Fairfield County Treasurer's Office
Policy Regarding Unclaimed Moneys Remaining to Owner
Ohio Revised Code Section 5721.20

Pursuant to R.C. 5721.20, and relevant orders of the Court of Common Pleas, the Fairfield County Treasurer will hold any residue of moneys from the sale of lands due to a tax foreclosure remaining to the former owner on the order of distribution for 3 years from its receipt. If the former owner does not demand payment of the excess funds within three years, then the excess funds shall be forfeited to the Fairfield County Land Reutilization Corporation.

  1. Funds are held in the name of the owner of record of the land at the time the tax foreclosure was filed. An owner in whose name the funds are held may claim the funds directly from the Treasurer.
    1. In order to claim the funds, the former owner must present to the Treasurer the following information:
      1. An appropriate affidavit affirming that they are, in fact, the person in whose name the funds are being held (see attached); and
      2. A government-issued photo identification.
    2. If the owner wishes to claim funds via a power-of-attorney, the power-of-attorney instrument must be presented to the Treasurer IN ADVANCE of the funds being claimed for legal review by the County Prosecutor's Office. Please allow 7–10 days for such a review. Once the power-of-attorney instrument is approved, the attorney-in-fact must present to the Treasurer an appropriate affidavit executed by the principal affirming that they were, in fact, the person in whose name the funds are being held (see attached). The Attorney-in-fact will also be required to present government-issued photo identification.
    3. All checks will be issued SOLELY in the name of the owner of record as it appeared on the relevant deed at the time of the tax foreclosure. If multiple owners are listed on the deed, one check will be issued in the name of all owners regardless of who is claiming the funds.
  2. Parties who had an interest in the land at the time of the tax foreclosure, but who were not the owner(s) of record, will need to seek an order from the Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas to distribute the funds to said party.
  3. Parties who seek to claim funds on behalf of a deceased former owner will have to have proper authority from a probate court to claim the funds on behalf of the deceased former owner. The Treasurer WILL NOT distribute funds based on a will only.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE THE TREASURER'S OFFICE WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS, THE STAFF OF THE TREASURER'S OFFICE CANNOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE.

Rev. Aug. 19, 2020.

Affidavit for Individuals to Claim Funds

  1. At the time the case indicated below was filed, I was the owner of record of real property located at:

  2. This real property was the subject of a tax foreclosure in Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas Case No.:

  3. I wish to claim the following amount being held in my name by the Fairfield County Treasurer:

  4. My current contact information is:

FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT.

Before me appeared the above-named person who under oath or by affirmation did sign this affidavit this

Rev. Aug. 19, 2020.

Affidavit for Organizations to Claim Funds

  1. was, at the time the case indicated below was filed, the owner of record of real property located at:

  2. This real property was the subject of a tax foreclosure in Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas Case No.:

  3. I am (describe relationship to organization):

  4. I am authorized by this organization or entity to claim funds on behalf of the organization or entity.

  5. I wish to claim the following amount on behalf of the organization or entity being held by the Fairfield County Treasurer:

  6. My current contact information is:

FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT.

Before me appeared the above-named person who under oath or by affirmation did sign this affidavit this