What it means
Not just anyone may file Florida unclaimed property claims for other people. §717.1400 limits registration as a claimant representative with the Department of Financial Services to three professions: a Florida-licensed private investigator holding a Class “C” license under chapter 493, a Florida-certified public accountant, or a Florida-licensed attorney.
Registration collects photo identification, license copies, business contacts, named agents, violation and criminal-history statements, and electronic funds transfer details. A registrant whose license is surrendered, suspended, or revoked must inform the division in writing within 30 days. Business names may not suggest government affiliation — “United States,” “Florida,” “state,” “bureau,” “division,” “department,” and “government” are off limits — and active status takes at least 10 paid claims a year.
- Only three professions may register: Class “C” private investigators, Florida CPAs, and Florida-licensed attorneys.
- A license surrender, suspension, or revocation must be reported to the division in writing within 30 days.
- No government-implying names — “United States,” “Florida,” “state,” “bureau,” “division,” “department,” “government.”
- Registration requires identification, licensure proof, named agents, disclosure statements, and electronic payment details.
- Active registration requires filing and obtaining payment on at least 10 claims annually.
How it plays out
The registration check is the fastest honesty test we know. When a letter offers to recover funds for a fee, ask for the sender's §717.1400 registration and their Florida license number — investigator, CPA, or attorney. No registration means no lawful Florida claim filed on your behalf, whatever the letterhead implies. Our office runs the free FLTreasureHunt.gov search first in every administration; when the money is really there, the estate can usually claim it without paying anyone a percentage.
Where this shows up
Pages on this site where § 717.1400 does real work:
Questions people ask
