San Diego County, CA Excess Proceeds From Tax Sales

If a property in San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, El Cajon and the rest of San Diego 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 San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector.

The San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector publishes claim filing instructions and a claim form for excess proceeds from tax-defaulted property sales.

San Diego County claim details

The completed claim must be received before one year from the date the tax deed to the purchaser was recorded. The county says there are no exceptions.
A separate claim is required for each owner of record.
Claims are processed after the one-year period. If approved, a county warrant is issued 90 days after the date of the award letter.
Assignees must include an affidavit signed by all parties to the assignment confirming the disclosures required by §4675.
Mail to San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Attn: Tax Sales Section, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 162, San Diego, CA 92101-2477; questions (619) 531-5708.

Not sure if San Diego County is holding money for you? Ask us to check the San Diego 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 · Orange 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.