St. Mary Parish Unclaimed Money Search
St. Mary Parish unclaimed money is held by the Louisiana Department of the Treasury for residents across Franklin, Morgan City, Patterson, Berwick, and Baldwin. The state currently holds over $1 billion in unclaimed property, with the average claim worth $900. You can search the state database for free to find forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, and stock dividends tied to St. Mary Parish addresses. The parish clerk of court in Franklin also maintains public records that may help track down funds connected to land transfers, civil cases, and successions.
St. Mary Parish Quick Facts
St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court and Unclaimed Property Records
The St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court stores all public records for the parish at the courthouse in Franklin. Civil cases, land records, mortgage filings, marriage licenses, and probate matters all live here. When tracing unclaimed money in St. Mary Parish, these records can point to property transactions, court judgments, or succession filings that left funds behind. The clerk's office has served St. Mary Parish for well over a century.
The St. Mary Parish government website provides information on parish services, departments, and how to access public records.
Like all Louisiana clerk offices, St. Mary Parish operates on fees set by statute. No tax money pays for the office. Staff can help you find records but cannot give legal advice on claims or other legal matters.
| Office |
St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court 500 Main Street Franklin, LA 70538 Phone: (337) 828-4100 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | stmaryparishla.gov |
How to Search for Unclaimed Money in St. Mary Parish
Begin at the Louisiana Unclaimed Property portal. Type your name into the search field. The order does not matter. You can narrow results by adding your city or ZIP code. The search is free and open to all.
Results show the owner name, property ID, address, dollar amount, and property type. Select matches and click "Continue To File Claim." You will enter your personal details and choose your relationship to each property. The state may ask for a driver's license copy or other ID before releasing funds.
The eClerks LA portal gives free access to land records, marriage licenses, and civil data across all 64 parishes. This is helpful when unclaimed money in St. Mary Parish may tie to filings in another parish.
The ClerkConnect portal also covers St. Mary Parish. It offers subscription-based access to civil, criminal, land, and property records. If you need to search court filings that might relate to unclaimed funds, this is another good option.
Types of Unclaimed Property in St. Mary Parish
The Louisiana Treasury defines unclaimed property as abandoned financial assets. Banks, insurance companies, corporations, and other holders must report them to the state after a dormancy period. Vehicles and real estate do not fall under this law.
In St. Mary Parish, common types include forgotten bank accounts, unpaid life insurance benefits, uncashed payroll checks, stock dividends, and utility deposit refunds. Court deposits, credit card refunds, and trust distributions also go unclaimed when holders lose contact with the owner. Under LSA-R.S. 9:151-182, all these dormant funds flow to the state. About 1 in 6 Louisiana residents have unclaimed property. There is no deadline to file a claim, but you must prove ownership first.
Filing a St. Mary Parish Unclaimed Money Claim
Pick your properties on the state search site. Click "Continue To File Claim." Fill out your name, date of birth, email, phone, Social Security number, and address. Choose your relationship to each listed property.
You may need to upload documents. A photo ID is standard. Proof of your Social Security number or proof of address may also be needed. If claiming for a deceased family member, bring a death certificate and legal papers showing your right to the funds. The Unclaimed Property Division processes claims in up to 90 days after it gets everything. You never have to pay a fee. Any site or person asking for money upfront is not legitimate.
St. Mary Parish Unclaimed Money Legal Details
Louisiana's unclaimed property program runs under LSA-R.S. 9:151-182, the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. The Treasury holds funds until a valid claim is filed. The state has returned over $878 million so far. Since 2018, the Treasury and Department of Revenue share address data each year, which boosted check mailings by nearly 500%.
Under the Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1), most records at the St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court are open to anyone. You do not need to be a party to a case. This public access helps when you are researching unclaimed money tied to old court cases or property filings in the parish.
Contact Info for St. Mary Parish Unclaimed Property
For state unclaimed property questions, call the Louisiana Unclaimed Property Division at 225-219-9400 or toll-free at 1-888-925-4127. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Mail goes to P.O. Box 91010, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9010.
For St. Mary Parish records, call the Clerk of Court at (337) 828-4100. The office is in the courthouse in Franklin. Clerk employees are well trained but cannot give legal advice. See a local attorney or use a law library if you need legal help with unclaimed property.
Nearby Parishes
Check nearby parishes if you think your unclaimed money might be connected to records outside St. Mary Parish. Each parish clerk office maintains its own set of public records.