Howard County Unclaimed Money

Howard County residents may have unclaimed money in the Texas state program or held locally by the county. The Texas Comptroller holds funds from banks, employers, utilities, and businesses in Big Spring that cannot locate the rightful owner. The Howard County Tax Assessor also maintains an unclaimed funds page for county-held amounts. Both searches are free. This page covers the search process, what property types are common in this Permian Basin county, and how to file a claim at no cost.

Searching Howard County Unclaimed Funds

The main search tool is ClaimItTexas.gov, run by the Texas Comptroller. Enter a name and the system returns any matching property. You can search your own name, a deceased relative's name, or a business name. No account is needed. Results show the holder, property type, and approximate value. The search is always free.

Under Texas Property Code § 72.101, most property is presumed abandoned after three years without owner contact. Banks, utilities, and employers in Big Spring report unclaimed funds to the Comptroller after that window closes. Howard County sits in the Permian Basin oil patch, and mineral royalties are one of the most significant sources of unclaimed property in the area. If any family member ever owned land with oil and gas rights in Howard County, searching the Comptroller's database is essential.

After finding a match on ClaimItTexas.gov, start the claim online or call 800-321-2274 for step-by-step help.

Howard County Tax Assessor Unclaimed Funds

In addition to the state program, the Howard County Tax Assessor-Collector maintains an unclaimed funds page at co.howard.tx.us. This page lists county-held amounts that fall under Texas Property Code § 76.201. These are funds the county retains locally rather than sending to the state Comptroller. They may not appear in the ClaimItTexas.gov search, so checking both sources is important.

The Howard County official website at co.howard.tx.us lists all county departments and their contact information. The main county phone is (432) 264-2232. The County Clerk maintains deed records and mineral interest filings for the county. If you are researching land ownership or mineral rights in Howard County, the Clerk's office is the starting point for local records.

The Howard County website provides access to county department contacts, including the Tax Assessor page where locally held unclaimed funds are listed.

Texas Property Code Chapter 76 governs how counties handle locally retained unclaimed funds valued at $100 or less, separate from the state Comptroller program.

Types of Unclaimed Property in Howard County

Mineral royalties from oil and gas production are the most significant type of unclaimed property in Howard County. The Permian Basin is one of the most productive oil regions in the world, and Howard County has a long history of petroleum production. Royalty checks that could not reach the landowner, suspended royalties on inherited mineral interests, and payments held by operators all regularly end up in the state program. Search under family names and maiden names for anyone who ever owned land in the county.

The Texas Railroad Commission at rrc.texas.gov maintains well and lease records for Howard County. If you suspect mineral interests exist but don't know the specific property details, the Railroad Commission database can help confirm what was active on specific tracts.

Dormant bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, utility deposits, and insurance proceeds are also common. Under § 72.1015, payroll is presumed abandoned after one year without activity. For property outside the Comptroller's main program, the alternative databases page on ClaimItTexas.gov lists where to check for pension funds, savings bonds, and IRS refunds.

Filing a Howard County Unclaimed Money Claim

Claims for state-held property start at ClaimItTexas.gov. It is free. Find the property in your search results, select it, and follow the steps. The system creates a Claim ID for tracking. Most claims are resolved in 90 days or less.

You need a government-issued photo ID and proof of current address for small claims. Larger claims or property belonging to a deceased person may require additional documentation. Review the documentation requirements page before submitting. For heirship claims, an Affidavit of Heirship or court-issued Determination of Heirship may be required. Call 800-321-2274 or email unclaimed.property@cpa.texas.gov for guidance.

Track your claim at the status page. The FAQ answers questions about $0 listings and physical asset claims. Texas caps third-party locator fees at 10%. Always file directly for free through ClaimItTexas.gov.

National Resources for Howard County Residents

If you lived in other states, check those databases too. The free national search at unclaimed.org covers multiple states at once. MissingMoney.com is another free multi-state option. The Texas data portal at data.texas.gov has downloadable Texas unclaimed property records.

Nearby Counties

All Texas unclaimed property claims go through the same state program. Search neighboring counties if you have ties there.