When an Atlanta-area property sells at tax sale for more than what's owed, the excess belongs to the property owner. Fulton County — Georgia's most populous county with the highest property values — has significant surplus waiting to be claimed.
Fulton County's tax sale surplus process follows Georgia law. Fulton is Georgia's largest county by assessed property value — surplus amounts here tend to be significantly larger than other metro Atlanta counties.
When a Fulton County property is foreclosed and sold at the annual tax sale — typically held in September in Atlanta — any amount above the taxes, penalties, and fees owed becomes surplus funds.
Under O.C.G.A. § 48-4-5, the Fulton County Tax Commissioner or Sheriff holds excess proceeds until a court order directs distribution. Your money is held safely — but you must petition to get it back.
You file a petition with the Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta. DFH prepares and files all paperwork, handles documentation requirements, and manages the process end-to-end on your behalf.
Fulton County is Georgia's largest and most valuable property market. Our database tracks surplus fund records for Atlanta and all 13 incorporated cities within the county.
Fulton County Sheriff's Office does not publish a public excess funds list online. DFH obtains Fulton surplus fund records through Georgia Open Records Act requests. Data is added to our database as responses are received. Submit your claim and we'll search on your behalf.
* Surplus ranges based on available records and Georgia statute. Actual amounts vary by property. Act promptly — funds not claimed within the statutory window may escheat to the state.
Every Fulton County surplus fund petition requires specific documentation. DFH helps you gather everything and ensures it's in the format the court expects.
Deed to the property, tax bill, or other documentation establishing ownership at time of sale. Required for Atlanta and all 14 incorporated cities in Fulton County.
Valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport) for the petitioner.
Parcel ID, sale date, and documentation about the surplus amount held by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.
Death certificate, will, or probate court documentation establishing heirship for deceased property owners.
Petitions are filed with the Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta. DFH prepares petition documents, files them with the court, and handles any follow-up required by the judge's order. Fulton County typically processes surplus petitions within 6–10 weeks once filed — among the fastest in metro Atlanta.
Fulton County spans 14 municipalities including Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Roswell, College Park, East Point, Union City, Fairburn, Hapeville, Milton, Palmetto, and Mountain Park. Property addresses and court jurisdiction vary by city.
Atlanta and Fulton County property owners have specific questions about the local surplus fund process. Here are the most common ones we hear.
Fulton isn't the only metro Atlanta county with unclaimed surplus. Explore other counties we cover.
No upfront fees, ever. DFH only gets paid when you receive your surplus funds. Fill out the form and we'll be in touch within one business day.