Our Data

Where our records come from, how they are collected and reviewed, and what "verified" means.

Where records originate

Every record in Surplus Registry comes from official public sources:

  • County sheriff's offices (sheriff sale records)
  • County courts (foreclosure and tax foreclosure records)
  • County treasurers and tax collectors (tax sale and tax deed records)
  • County clerks and recorders (property records)
  • Municipal governments (local tax and lien records)

We do not create records. We compile, organize, and make searchable records that already exist in the public domain.

How records are collected

Records are collected through a combination of automated monitoring of public sources, manual research by our team, and submissions from users who request a manual search.

Each record is reviewed before publication. We verify the source, check for completeness, and confirm that the record meets our publication standards.

What "verified" means

A "verified" record means that our team has confirmed the record against the official source. This includes verifying the property address, case number, sale date, and sale amount.

Important: Verification confirms that the public record exists and matches the official source. It does not confirm that any particular person is entitled to funds. Eligibility depends on applicable law and the specific circumstances of each case.

Records that have not yet been verified are marked as "unverified" and are not published to the public registry.

Potential vs. verified surplus

Surplus Registry distinguishes between potential surplus and verified surplus:

Potential Excess Indicator

When a sale price exceeds the advertised upset amount or judgment amount, we flag the difference as a potential excess indicator. This is a calculation based on available data — it is not a verified surplus amount.

Verified Surplus

A verified surplus amount has been confirmed against official records — typically a court order, sheriff's accounting, or county treasurer's statement. Only verified surplus amounts are labeled as such.

How frequently data is checked

We review and update records on an ongoing basis. The frequency of updates depends on the source — some sources are checked daily, others weekly or monthly. Every record displays a "last verified" date so you know when it was last confirmed against the official source.

How corrections are handled

If you believe a record contains an error, you can report it through our corrections page. We investigate every report and correct or remove records as appropriate.

Report an error

Why official records control

Surplus Registry is a research and search tool. The official record — maintained by the court, sheriff, county treasurer, or other government office — is always the authoritative source. If there is any discrepancy between Surplus Registry and the official record, the official record controls. Always verify with the official agency, court, or custodian identified in the record.

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Search Surplus Registry for surplus funds from foreclosures, tax sales, and sheriff sales across the United States.

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