Unclaimed funds are held by the Court for an individual or entity who is entitled to the money but has failed to claim ownership of it. The United States Courts, as custodians of such funds, have established policies and procedures for holding, safeguarding, and accounting for the funds.

Searching Unclaimed Funds

To search unclaimed funds, use the Unclaimed Funds Locator, select “OHSB – Ohio Southern Bankruptcy Court” from the dropdown list, and enter the applicable search criteria. Although every effort is made to display updated and
accurate data, this database is not the official Court record. To ensure accuracy and timeliness, review the docket entries on file with the Court related to the deposit of unclaimed funds for the particular creditor and case of interest. Alternatively, the Clerk’s Office can verify unclaimed funds balances. Please contact the Clerk’s Office for more information.

Requesting Payment of Unclaimed Funds

Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds

Any party who seeks the payment of unclaimed funds must file an Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds in substantial conformance with the Court’s standard application form and serve a copy of the application on the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, the United States Trustee, the case trustee, the debtor, and the debtor’s attorney if the debtor is represented by counsel. 

While the use of the Court’s form application is not required, parties requesting the release of unclaimed funds are strongly encouraged to use the form to ensure compliance with the Local Bankruptcy Rules, Forms and Procedures.

Required Supporting Documentation

For purposes of these instructions, the “Applicant” is the party filing the application, and the “Claimant” is the party entitled to the unclaimed funds. The Applicant and Claimant may be the same. 

Payee Information

The Court will issue unclaimed funds payments: (1) solely in the name of the rightful claimant (including instances where a payment is issued to the claimant but mailed “care of” a funds locator); or (2) jointly to the claimant and the funds locator if authorized by a power of attorney.  The Court will not issue payment solely in the name of a funds locator.  Likewise, the Court will not make a separate payment to a funds locator to split out any fee or commission.  In conjunction with the Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds, Claimant’s tax identification number (TIN) must be provided to the Court on a certification form signed by the Claimant to whom funds are being distributed.

• Domestic Claimant. A Claimant who is a U.S. person¹ must use either the AO 213 or W-9 certification form ( available on the  Internal Revenue Service website). If a Claimant wants payment via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), then the AO 213 form must be used.  The completed form must be filed with the Court.  
• Foreign Claimant. A foreign Claimant must use a W-8 certification form (available on the Internal Revenue Service website) accompanied by the AO 215 form. The completed form must be filed with the Court.  

Additional Supporting Information

Requirements for additional supporting documentation vary depending on the type of Claimant and whether the Claimant is represented. Sufficient documentation must be provided to the Court to establish the Claimant’s identity and entitlement to the funds. Proof of identity must be provided in unredacted form with a current address. If there are joint Claimants, then supporting documentation must be provided for both Claimants.

Owner of Record

The Owner of Record is the original payee entitled to the funds appearing on the Court records. If the Claimant is the Owner of Record, the following additional documentation is required:

• Owner of Record is an Individual. Provide proof of identity of the Owner of Record (e.g., unredacted copy of driver’s license, other state-issued identification card, or U.S. passport that includes current address); and a notarized signature of the Owner of Record (incorporated in application).
• Owner of Record is a Business or Government Entity. Application must be signed by an authorized representative for and on behalf of the business or government entity; a notarized statement of the signing representative’s authority; and Proof of identity of the signing representative (e.g., unredacted copy of driver's license, other state-issued identification card, or U.S. passport that includes current address).

 If the Owner of Record’s name has changed since the funds have been deposited with the Court, then proof of the name change must be provided.

Successor Claimant

A successor Claimant may be entitled to the unclaimed funds as a result of assignment, purchase, merger, acquisition, succession or by other means. If the Claimant is a successor to the original Owner of Record, the following documentation is required.

• Successor Claimant is an Individual
  • Proof of identity of the successor Claimant (e.g., unredacted copy of driver’s license, other state-issued identification card, or U.S. passport that includes current address);
  • A notarized signature of the successor Claimant (incorporated in application); and
  • Documentation sufficient to establish chain of ownership or the transfer of claim from the original Owner of Record.
• Successor Claimant is a Business or Government Entity
  • Application must be signed by an authorized representative for and on behalf of the successor entity;
  • A notarized statement of the signing representative’s authority;
  • A notarized power of attorney signed by an authorized representative of the successor entity;
  • Proof of identity of the signing representative (e.g., unredacted copy of driver's license, other state-issued identification card, or U.S. passport that includes current address); and
  • Documentation sufficient to establish chain of ownership or the transfer of claim from the original Owner of Record.
• Deceased Claimant's Estate
  • Proof of identity of the estate representative (e.g., unredacted copy of driver's license, other state-issued identification card, or U.S. passport that includes current address);
  • Certified copies of probate documents or other documents authorizing the representative to act on behalf of the decedent or decedent’s estate in accordance with applicable state law (e.g., small estate affidavit); and
  • Documentation sufficient to establish the deceased Claimant’s identity and entitlement to the funds.

Claimant Representative

If the Applicant is Claimant’s attorney or other representative, the following documentation is required:

• Proof of identity of the representative (e.g., unredacted copy of driver's license, other state-issued identification card, or U.S. passport that includes current address);
• A notarized power of attorney signed by the Claimant (or Claimant’s authorized representative) on whose behalf the representative is acting; and
• Documentation sufficient to establish the Claimant’s identity and entitlement to the funds, as set forth above.

Orders

The Court will enter its own order; a proposed order should not be submitted. 

Filing the Application

The application, supporting documentation, notice of application, and certificate of service must be mailed to the Court at any of the following addresses:

Note: The application must be served on the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, the United States Trustee, the case trustee, the debtor, and the debtor’s attorney (if the debtor is represented by counsel).

Those with access to the Court’s CM/ECF system must file the application, supporting documentation, notice of application, and certificate of service electronically.  

• The application, notice of application, and certificate of service should be filed using the Unclaimed Funds filing event found in the Motions/Applications menu.  
• The supporting documentation should be filed using the Unclaimed Funds Supporting Documentation filing event found in the Other menu. If applicable, the AO 213 and AO 215 should be filed using the Request for Taxpayer Identification Number filing event (it should not be attached to the application). 
• The certificate of service should reflect service of the application and the supporting documents. Review the Electronic Filing Guidance for more assistance on electronic filing in CM/ECF.

Post-Filing Process

Any party objecting to the Claimant’s request in the application shall, within 21 days after service thereof, serve upon the Applicant and other appropriate parties and file with the Court an objection to the application. If no timely objection is filed with the Court, the application and accompanying documents may be considered by the Court without hearing. If the application is deficient, the Clerk’s office may contact the Applicant for additional documentation.

1. “U.S. person” includes: an individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien; a partnership, corporation, company or association created or organized in the U.S. or under the laws of the U.S.; an estate (other than a foreign estate); or a domestic trust (as defined in 26 C.F.R. 301.7701-7).