Olmsted County, Minnesota Tax-Forfeiture Surplus

If land in Rochester, Byron, Stewartville, Eyota and the rest of Olmsted County forfeited for unpaid taxes and was later sold for more than was owed, former owners and other interested parties may be able to claim the surplus from Olmsted County.

Olmsted County describes its process this way: forfeited property is offered for 30 days at estimated market value, then for at least two weeks at the “minimum bid” (delinquent taxes, special assessments, penalties, interest, and costs). If the winning bid exceeds the minimum bid, the county must notify interested parties that a surplus exists. The county also notes that surplus claims expire if the property does not sell at the minimum-bid stage and goes to a “credit bid” sale under §282.01.

Olmsted County claim details

The county mails the former owner and those with title rights a claim form, which must be approved before distribution.
Return the Statement of Claim to Olmsted County PRL, Attn: Revenue Department, 151 4th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904.
The six-month claim window under Minn. Stat. §282.005 applies.

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

Minnesota rules that apply

Under Minn. Stat. §282.005, subd. 6, the county auditor must mail a notice of the surplus and a claim form to interested parties within 60 days of the sale. You have six months from the date the notice is first mailed to file. If claims conflict, the county may ask the district court to decide. The law followed Tyler v. Hennepin County, 598 U.S. 631 (2023).

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: St. Louis County · Hennepin County · Ramsey County · Dakota County · Anoka County. Back to Minnesota 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.