About SurplusCheck

We help California property owners and heirs recover surplus funds—excess proceeds from foreclosure and tax sales—with a simple fee and no upfront cost.

No recovery, no fee

Our fee is 25% of the amount we recover for you. If we don’t recover funds, you don’t pay. There is no charge for the initial review of your claim.

Our Focus: California Only

SurplusCheck works exclusively in California. We serve all 58 counties—from San Diego to Shasta. Each county has its own rules, forms, and deadlines for claiming excess proceeds. We know these processes and work directly with county treasurer and tax collector offices so your claim is filed correctly and on time.

What We Do — Step by Step

  1. Review. You submit the property address, county, and sale information. We review at no cost and tell you whether surplus funds may be available and whether we can assist.
  2. Eligibility. We confirm that you (or the person you represent) are an entitled party—for example, the former owner or heir—and that the county still holds funds.
  3. Documents. We tell you exactly what documents we need (e.g. ID, proof of ownership or interest, death certificate for heirs). You provide them; we prepare the claim.
  4. Filing. We complete the county’s forms and file the claim. We follow up with the county until the claim is processed.
  5. Payout. When the county releases the funds, you receive your share (75%). Our fee (25%) is taken from the recovered amount. No recovery, no fee.

Who We Help

We work with former property owners whose homes or other real estate were sold at foreclosure or tax sale, and with heirs when the owner has passed away. We also assist when the entitled party is a junior lienholder or has another qualifying interest under the county’s rules. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, submit your details and we’ll review at no cost.

What You Can Expect

After you submit a claim request, we respond within 1–2 business days. If we can help, we explain the next steps and any documents we need. Processing time depends on the county—some resolve claims in weeks, others in months. We keep you updated and handle all communication with the county so you don’t have to.

Not a Government Agency

SurplusCheck is a private service. We are not affiliated with any county or state agency. You can always contact the county treasurer or tax collector directly to ask about surplus funds. We offer a streamlined option for those who prefer professional assistance with forms, deadlines, and follow-up.

Ready to start? Submit a claim for a free review, or contact us with questions.