Orange County, CA Excess Proceeds From Tax Sales

If a property in Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach and the rest of Orange County was sold at a tax-defaulted property auction for more than the taxes and costs owed, the former owner, lienholders, or heirs may be able to claim the excess proceeds from the Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector.

The Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector posts auction results with each property's excess claim filing period, plus an Excess Proceeds Claim Form for Parties of Interest that is marked “no cost to file claim.”

Orange County claim details

The right to claim expires one year from the deed recording date listed for each property.
Lienholders attach the recorded lien document; owners attach documents such as the deed, death certificate, will, or court order.
The county states that assignee claims are reviewed after the one-year date and rejected if substantive documents are missing, while parties of interest have a lower threshold and are encouraged to ask the office for help.
If multiple claims are received, the Auditor-Controller cannot issue payment until 90 days after County Counsel acts.
Mail to Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector, c/o Excess Proceeds Claims, P.O. Box 1438, Santa Ana, CA 92702-1438.

Not sure if Orange County is holding money for you? Ask us to check the Orange County records, at no cost.

California rules that apply

Under Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §4675, any party of interest may claim within one year after the tax collector's deed to the purchaser is recorded. Lienholders of record have priority, then owners of record. Heirs of a deceased owner may support a claim with a small-estate affidavit under Probate Code §13100. Anyone filing on your behalf must show the county that you were told the amount and source of the funds and your right to file directly at no cost.

How to check and claim, for free

Find the parcel on the county's surplus or excess proceeds list (links below), or call the office.
Get the county's claim form and gather proof of your interest (deed, lien, or death certificate and heirship documents).
File before the deadline and keep proof of mailing.

You can do this yourself, for free. Former owners and heirs may file a claim directly with the county (or court, for foreclosures) without hiring anyone and without paying a fee. We exist for people who would rather have a professional handle the research, paperwork, and follow-up.

How Owner Guardian helps

If you would rather not handle it alone, we confirm the funds with the county, gather records, prepare the claim, help heirs assemble proof, and track the deadline. No upfront fee; our contingency fee is disclosed in a written agreement before you sign. We work remotely and are not affiliated with the county.

Official sources

Other counties: Imperial County · Riverside County · San Bernardino County · Los Angeles County · San Joaquin County · San Diego County · Sacramento County · Kern County · Fresno County. Back to California overview.

Information checked October 2026 from the official county sources above. Deadlines and procedures can change; always confirm with the county. General information, not legal advice.