Florida Tax Deed Surplus Recovery — By County

When a Florida property sells at tax deed auction for more than the back taxes owed, the difference belongs to the former owner or their heirs — not to the County. We help recover those funds before the 120-day statutory deadline expires.

Check for a surplus Book a 15-min call

No upfront fee · 30% contingency only on recovery · Walk-away clause · Not a law firm

How Florida tax deed surpluses work

Every Florida county holds tax deed auctions to sell properties with delinquent property tax bills. Many of these properties sell for far more than the taxes owed. The excess — the surplus — is held by the Clerk of Court and belongs to the former property owner, their heirs, or qualifying junior lienholders.

Under Florida Statute § 197.582, claimants have 120 days from the Clerk's Notice of Surplus to file. After that, the funds sit in a holding account and eventually transfer to the State of Florida as unclaimed property, adding at least a year of additional delay.

Every Florida county handles surplus claims slightly differently — different clerk offices, different claim packets, different sale venues. The pages below explain the process for each of Florida's highest-volume tax deed counties, including the exact Clerk contact information and the local specifics that trip up most first-time claimants.

Select your county

We cover tax deed surplus recovery across Florida's highest-volume counties. Click through for county-specific clerk information, sale venue details, and the local angle for each market.

Miami-Dade

Miami, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Doral, Homestead, Aventura, Miami Gardens, North Miami, Pinecrest, Cutler Bay

Broward

Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Plantation, Davie, Sunrise, Deerfield Beach, Lauderhill, Tamarac, Margate, Coconut Creek, Weston

Palm Beach

West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens

Hillsborough

Tampa

Orange

Orlando, Winter Garden, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Park

Pinellas

St. Petersburg, Clearwater

Duval

Jacksonville

Lee

Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs

Collier

Naples

Polk

Lakeland, Winter Haven

Brevard

Melbourne, Palm Bay, Titusville

Sarasota

Sarasota, North Port, Venice

Volusia

Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Deltona, Ormond Beach

Pasco

New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel

Seminole

Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Oviedo, Lake Mary

St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce

Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte

The five most common mistakes we see

Missing the 120-day deadline because the Clerk's Notice went to an address the former owner no longer monitors.
Filing a claim without attaching the proof of identity and ownership that the Clerk's office actually requires — claims come back marked "incomplete" and the deadline clock keeps running.
Not responding when the Clerk requests additional documentation. A claim that is not actively worked goes dormant, and the file can be closed.
Filing a claim when a junior lienholder has already filed theirs, without understanding the priority rules. The lienholder's claim may consume part or all of the surplus.
Paying an upfront "research fee" to a recovery company that has no intention of filing the actual claim on the claimant's behalf.

Common questions

How much does this cost me upfront?

Nothing. Our fee is a 30% contingency — we are paid only when the Clerk actually releases surplus funds in your name. If we file a claim and it is denied, or if the matter requires court action and we withdraw, you owe us nothing.

Can I just file the claim myself?

Yes, and you should know that this is always an option. Filing a tax deed surplus claim with the Clerk costs nothing. Many people successfully file their own claims. Others get stuck — most commonly on proof of identity, proof of heirship, or on follow-up documentation requests. If you prefer to file yourself and just want to know what the surplus amount is, we will tell you at no cost.

How do I know this is legitimate?

We are a Florida limited liability company that operates entirely within the administrative claim process under F.S. § 197.582. We do not ask for money upfront, we do not take control of your identity documents, and we hold every signing on a recorded online notarization platform. If a recovery company ever asks you to wire money before they file your claim, that is a strong signal to walk away.

What if my matter has to go to court?

We do not practice law and we do not appear in court. If a junior lienholder contests your claim, or if the Clerk refers the matter to interpleader, we withdraw and refer you to legal aid or a Florida-licensed attorney at no charge. You owe us nothing in that scenario.

How long does the process take?

Most uncontested claims resolve in 60 to 120 days from the date we file. Contested matters, or cases requiring additional heirship documentation, take longer. We will give you a realistic timeline on the initial consultation once we have reviewed your specific Clerk file.

Are you attorneys?

No. StratosPath Acquisitions is not a law firm, and nothing on this website or in our communications constitutes legal advice. We handle the administrative claim — the non-contested paperwork that a Clerk's office processes without a court hearing. If a matter needs an attorney, we will tell you and step aside.

We are not a law firm. StratosPath Acquisitions, LLC is a Florida limited liability company providing administrative filing assistance for tax deed surplus claims under F.S. § 197.582. We do not provide legal advice, do not represent claimants in court, and do not appear at contested hearings. You have an unconditional right to file your own claim directly with your County Clerk at no cost.

Not sure if there's a surplus in your name?

Tell us the property or the former owner's name. We'll check the Clerk's records and reply within one business day with the amount on file and what to do next.

Check for a surplus Book a consultation