St. Johns County Tax Deed Surplus Funds (Florida Guide) — Clerk of Court and Comptroller
St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Ponte Vedra, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fruit Cove, Nocatee, Hastings, Palm Valley, Vilano Beach, Butler Beach, Sawgrass, Switzerland, World Golf Village.
If your property in St. Johns County, FL was sold at a tax deed auction, you may be entitled to surplus funds. These are the leftover proceeds after the county satisfies the unpaid taxes, fees, and costs of sale.
This guide provides the exact St. Johns County claim process, common reasons claims fail, and how Visionary Surplus Recovery helps homeowners recover surplus funds faster and without stress.
The Equity Surplus Claims Department manages the entire process to minimize delays and prevent costly mistakes.
Cities in St. Johns County:
St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Ponte Vedra, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fruit Cove, Nocatee, Hastings, Palm Valley, Vilano Beach, Butler Beach, Sawgrass, Switzerland, World Golf Village.
Who Can Claim Surplus Funds in St. Johns County?
Eligible claimants include:
The former homeowner (property owner at the time the tax deed was sold)
Heirs of a deceased owner
A legal guardian or executor of an estate
Mortgage lenders with a deficiency
Judgment lienholders
HOA or Condo Associations with recorded liens
But homeowners always have first priority unless a superior lienholder claims the funds.
St. Johns County Tax Deed Surplus Claim Process (2025 Version)
Below is the accurate, county-specific process that St. Johns County uses:
1. Verify if Surplus Exists
After a tax deed sale, St. Johns County posts surplus funds on their public records.
Visionary Surplus Recovery uses its Confirm Surplus Eligibility Tool to verify:
Whether surplus exists
Exact amount
Competing lienholders
Whether heirs or probate may be needed
2. Complete the Clerk’s Required Claim Forms
St. Johns County requires very specific documents:
Claim for Surplus Form
Copy of valid ID
W-9
Proof of ownership at time of sale
Evidence of authority (for heirs, guardians, estates)
Supporting documents (deeds, affidavits, or probate records)
3. Submit to the St. Johns County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Completed packets must be submitted to the Clerk for review.
4. Mandatory Clerk Review Period
The Clerk verifies:
Ownership
Liens
Competing claims
ID and notarization accuracy
Whether probate is required
If errors exist, the claim is returned or denied, delaying recovery.
5. Judicial Review (If Required)
If multiple parties claim the funds, the Clerk may forward the case to a judge, who will determine priority.
6. Disbursement of Funds
Once approved, the Clerk issues a check to the claimant or authorized representative.
Why St. Johns County Surplus Claims Get Denied or Delayed
St. Johns County rejects or returns claims for:
❌ Missing or incorrect forms
Outdated versions or incomplete signatures.
❌ No proof of ownership
The Clerk requires evidence showing you owned the property at the time of the tax deed sale.
❌ Invalid or expired ID
Many claims get stuck here.
❌ Incorrect or missing notarization
St. Johns County is strict about proper notarization.
❌ Probate is required but not done
If the owner is deceased, the Clerk cannot release funds until heirs establish legal authority.
❌ Competing lienholders file claims
HOAs, banks, and judgment creditors often file quickly.
❌ Heir disputes
If heirs disagree, claims pause until resolved.
❌ Wrong mailing address or incomplete W-9
Clerks will not issue funds with IRS conflicts.
This is exactly why professional handling matters.
How Visionary Surplus Recovery Helps Homeowners in St. Johns County
Visionary Surplus Recovery manages the entire claim process and eliminates common pitfalls that cause homeowners to lose surplus funds.
1. Instant Surplus Eligibility Check
Using our Confirm Surplus Eligibility Tool, we quickly identify:
Whether surplus exists
Whether other claimants are involved
Whether probate or affidavits are required
2. Full Title & Lien Research
We examine every lien recorded in St. Johns County, including:
Mortgages
Judgments
HOA/COA liens
Federal or state liens
This prevents delays and prepares us for priority challenges.
3. County-Specific Claim Packet Preparation
We prepare:
The correct county forms
All affidavits
W-9
Ownership evidence
ID verification
Notarization
Supporting documents
4. Probate & Heirship Solutions
If the owner has passed:
We coordinate probate (no upfront cost)
Or prepare acceptable heirship documentation
5. We Handle All Clerk Communication
Your claims manager works directly with the St. Johns County Clerk of Court & Comptroller to resolve issues fast.
6. We Fight Delays & Competing Claims
We challenge improper claims by:
Mortgage lenders
HOAs
Judgment creditors
Third-party companies
7. Fast, Secure Disbursement
We prepare all directives so funds are paid out quickly once the Clerk approves.
8. No Upfront Fees, Ever
We only get paid after you recover your surplus funds.
Check Your St. Johns County Surplus Eligibility
You can quickly check if you may have surplus funds available using:
👉 The Visionary Surplus Recovery — Confirm Surplus Eligibility Tool
