The Unclaimed Funds Claim Form, printed on the PDF as the Unclaimed Funds Application, is the notarized claim the Summit County Fiscal Office in Ohio uses to release unclaimed funds it holds as trustee for the county. Original owners, joint owners, heirs, business representatives and other claimants complete it. The Fiscal Office also publishes Summit County property tax forms, such as the DTE 105A homestead application; this form is a different document, for unclaimed funds. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF is published by the Fiscal Office.
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What is Unclaimed Funds Claim Form – Summit County, OH?
The Unclaimed Funds Claim Form (printed as Unclaimed Funds Application) is the Summit County Fiscal Office form for claiming unclaimed funds the office holds, with a certification under penalties of perjury, signed before a notary.
The Summit County Fiscal Office serves as trustee of the county's unclaimed funds. It posts a public list of them on its website and processes valid claims when it receives a notarized claim form. The form states that the claim is made under O.R.C. § 9.39 of the Ohio Revised Code.
The form has these parts:
- Claimant Information: name, address, phone, SSN or FEIN, date of birth, whether a paid professional finder was used, and whether you are the original owner.
- Check Information: case, parcel, item information, check number, check date, amount, and up to three Pay In numbers and dates.
- Certification: five statements, including that the funds belong to you or the business you represent and that the supporting documents are originals or true unaltered copies.
- Signature and notary block, for the claimant, an optional co-claimant and the notary.
Blocks marked for the Accounting Department and the Fiscal Office are for office use. The Social Security number is required as proof of ownership and is described as confidential under O.R.C. 1347.15. A separate form, Unclaimed Funds Additional Information, is for claimants with more than three unclaimed items.
Who needs to file Unclaimed Funds Claim Form – Summit County, OH?
Anyone who believes unclaimed funds listed by the Summit County Fiscal Office belong to them, or to a business they represent, files this claim. The instructions sort claimants by situation, and each one has its own supporting documents:
- Original owners: personal ID and proof of reported address; proof of mortgage if applicable.
- Joint owners: both sign the claim form, or you give proof of the joint owner's death (death certificate) and proof of survivorship right. A court order from Probate Court may be required.
- Heirs and fiduciaries of a deceased owner: a court order from Probate Court.
- Ex-spouses: divorce records that specify your rights to the funds.
- Custodians and guardians: court documentation of the guardian or custodial relationship.
- Trusts: an original, notarized certification of trust signed by the trustee.
- Business owners: the business FEIN and, where they apply, the proofs listed in the instructions.
- Professional finders: a signed contract and the other items the instructions list.
You do not need a professional finder; the Fiscal Office says a claimant may file without one. If you are not the owner, you must show that the account belonged to the owner and prove you are the rightful recipient. Claimants with more than three items add the Unclaimed Funds Additional Information form.
When to file Unclaimed Funds Claim Form – Summit County, OH
File the form once you have found your item in the Fiscal Office's unclaimed funds listing; the form prints no filing deadline of its own. Claims are usually processed within 90 business days upon approval by the issuing department, according to the form, and an incomplete form delays processing because the form must be filled out in its entirety.
Professional finders face a timing rule in the instructions: they may not contact individuals until the funds are over 2 years old. Before mailing, allow time to visit a notary, because the form must be signed in the notary's presence and cannot be notarized afterward.
Documents you need
- A copy of personal identification, required on all claims: driver's license, state ID or passport.
- Proof of reported address, as listed in the instructions: utility bill, bank statement, tax records, mortgage or rent records, or a postmarked envelope.
- Proof of business relationship with the reporting department of Summit County, as listed in the instructions.
- The original claim form, signed and notarized; if the property is a joint account, both owners must sign it.
- Whatever additional documents the instructions specify for your type of claim, after you find your claim in the listing.
- Original owners: proof of mortgage if applicable; the instructions also list a W-9 if the claimant is an attorney.
- Joint owners: signatures of both on the claim form, or a death certificate for a deceased joint owner plus proof of survivorship right; a Probate Court order may be required.
- Heirs or fiduciaries of a deceased owner: a court order from Probate Court.
- Ex-spouses: divorce records that specify your rights to the funds.
- Custodians or guardians: documentation from the court showing the guardian or custodial relationship.
- Trusts: an original, notarized certification of trust signed by the trustee, meeting all requirements of O.R.C. 5810.13.
- Business owners: the business FEIN; proof of the relationship to the reported owner if the business differs (subsidiary, merger, name change); proof of authority of the signer, such as a corporate resolution or senior officer affidavit with verification of both individuals' positions.
- Businesses that have ceased to exist or are in bankruptcy or receivership: a dissolution agreement or other legal record of the distribution, or a certified copy of the appointment of the trustee or receiver.
- If you are not the owner: proof that the account belonged to the owner and that you are the rightful recipient of the funds.
- Professional finders: the signed contract, proof of certification with the State of Ohio, and both the owner's ID and the finder's ID.
How to fill out Unclaimed Funds Claim Form – Summit County, OH
Read the instructions page first
The form tells you to read its last page. Find your claim type there and note the additional documents it lists.
Enter claimant name and address
Fill in Claimant Name, Address 1, Address 2, City, State, ZIP and Phone.
Enter SSN or FEIN and birth date
Complete SSN or FEIN and Date of Birth. The SSN is required as proof of ownership.
Answer the finder question
Check Yes or No for Did you use a paid professional finder, and give the finder's name if Yes. You do not need a finder to file.
State your relationship to the owner
Check Yes or No for Are you the original owner. If not, enter your relationship to the owner and the reason for claiming funds on behalf of the owner.
Complete the Check Information
Enter the Case, Parcel, Item Information, Check #, Check Date and Amount, plus any Pay In # and Pay In Date, from your listing entry. Use the additional-information form for more than three items.
Skip the office-use blocks
The Accounting Department, Fiscal Office and certification-of-contract areas are labeled for office use only, so do not complete them.
Review the certification statements
Read the five statements, which cover O.R.C. § 9.39, ownership of the funds, the taxpayer identification number, truthful information and return of funds issued in error.
Sign before a notary
Print the completed form, then sign and date it, and print your name, in front of the notary. A co-claimant signs and prints a name too; the notary completes the sworn block, with State, County, stamp and seal.
Review, download and assemble the package
Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Add your ID copy and supporting documents and mail the package as described under How to submit.
How to submit Unclaimed Funds Claim Form – Summit County, OH
The form is submitted by mail to the Summit County Fiscal Office; it names no other channel. Do not fax it.
- By mail: send the original signed and notarized claim form, a copy of your identification and the other documents for your situation to: Kristen M. Scalise CPA, CFE, Summit County Fiscal Officer, Attn: Unclaimed Funds, 175 S Main St, Room 406, Akron OH 44308.
- Questions: call 330.643.2872 or 330.643.2616. The same office can confirm whether a professional finder is certified (330-643-2872).
The Fiscal Office will not charge a fee to process a claim, and no interest is paid on any account. If the claim is approved, the check is issued and mailed to the owner of the funds. The office reserves the right to ask for additional evidence on all claims. Notaries can be found at your local bank, city and county offices, police and sheriff departments, and most law firms. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing the form before meeting the notary; the form must be signed in the presence of a notary.
- Faxing the claim; the form says DO NOT FAX and requires the original, signed and notarized.
- Leaving out a copy of your identification, which must be included with every claim.
- Leaving sections blank; the form must be filled out in its entirety or processing of the claim is delayed.
- Submitting a joint-account claim with only one owner's signature, without proof of the other owner's death.
- Offering letterhead or business cards as proof of a signer's position; the instructions say they are not acceptable.
- Sending a Power of Attorney as proof of authority; the instructions state a Power of Attorney is not valid.
- Listing more than three unclaimed items on this form instead of adding the Unclaimed Funds Additional Information form.
- Omitting the SSN or FEIN, which the form requires as proof of ownership.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Unclaimed Funds Claim Form for?
It is the Summit County Fiscal Office form for claiming unclaimed funds the office holds as trustee for the county. You list your claim details, certify under penalties of perjury that the funds belong to you or your business, and sign before a notary.
Does the Summit County unclaimed funds claim form have to be notarized?
Yes. The form states that it must be signed in the presence of a notary, and the instructions require the original claim form, signed and notarized. Notaries are available at banks, city and county offices, police and sheriff departments, and most law firms.
Where do I mail the unclaimed funds claim form in Summit County?
Mail it to Kristen M. Scalise CPA, CFE, Summit County Fiscal Officer, Attn: Unclaimed Funds, 175 S Main St, Room 406, Akron OH 44308. The form says not to fax it. For questions, call 330.643.2872 or 330.643.2616.
Do I need a professional finder to claim unclaimed funds?
No. The form and the Fiscal Office say you may file a claim without a paid professional finder, and the office does not charge a fee to process a claim. If you do use a finder, a signed contract and the finder's ID must come with the claim.
How long does a Summit County unclaimed funds claim take?
The form says claims are usually processed within 90 business days upon approval by the issuing department. An incomplete form delays processing. If approved, the check is issued and mailed to the owner of the funds.
What do I have to send with the claim form?
A copy of your identification is required on all claims, along with the original signed and notarized form. The instructions also list proof of reported address and any extra documents for your claim type, such as a trust certification or court order.
Is this a property tax form?
No. This form claims unclaimed funds held by the Summit County Fiscal Office. Property tax forms, such as the DTE 1 complaint form or the DTE 105A homestead application, are separate documents the Fiscal Office lists on its forms page.
What if I have more than three unclaimed items?
Use the Unclaimed Funds Additional Information form, which the Fiscal Office provides for claimants with more than three unclaimed items. This form has room for three items under Check Information.
Can I fill out the Unclaimed Funds Claim Form online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the Fiscal Office and does not file claims: you still sign before a notary and mail the original to the Fiscal Office.
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