Case-specific city or town
Use the treasurer for the municipality that purchased and later sold the tax title.
Think you may be owed surplus funds in this state?
Run a free name check — no upfront fees. Or call (307) 323-4303.
Rhode Island tax-sale surplus · narrow statutory lane
Rhode Island Low-Value Tax-Sale Surplus Guide
Only the low-value sale-without-foreclosure lane in Rhode Island General Laws sections 44-9-36 and 44-9-37.
Last researched
strict-tls-retained-primary-sources: Rhode Island official sources
Jurisdiction and custody vary
Identify the case-specific route
After charges, the city or town treasurer holds the balance for the person entitled; after five years, the municipality takes the remaining balance.
Confirm each trigger from the record
Follow the verified process in order
Follow the supported process in order and verify each trigger from the case record.
Step 1
Confirm the municipality purchased the tax title and later used the section 44-9-36 sale-without-foreclosure lane.
Step 2
Obtain the treasurer's sale record, charges, balance, and custody status.
Step 3
Make a documented demand to the city or town treasurer; the statutory text does not further define the person entitled.
Do not infer missing facts
Prepare the case record
Collect the records needed to identify the correct route and trigger dates.
-
Property address and parcel identifier
Collect or verify this from the case record before choosing a route.
-
Sale, foreclosure, distribution, or court docket records
Collect or verify this from the case record before choosing a route.
-
Documents showing the claimant's asserted interest
Collect or verify this from the case record before choosing a route.
-
Exact dates for sale, payment, settlement, judgment, notice, report, or hearing triggers
Collect or verify this from the case record before choosing a route.
-
Notices, accountings, petitions, orders, and proof of service received
Collect or verify this from the case record before choosing a route.
-
Current custodian and case-specific jurisdiction contact information
Collect or verify this from the case record before choosing a route.
Timing and entitlement remain case-specific
Keep deadlines and scope in their proper stage
What FCAR can help research
- The one-year point after municipal purchase is a condition for the later sale, not a claimant deadline. The demand window is five years, but only after confirming that sections 44-9-36 and 44-9-37 govern the balance.
- Forms under section 44-9-46 are sale forms, not a claimant surplus form. No claim is made about cases outside this narrow lane.
- Locate and organize publicly available sale, custody, and case records.
- Identify which retained official source and jurisdiction should be checked next.
- Flag dates, notices, ownership, estate, or lien issues for closer review.
What this guide cannot decide
- Whether a person is legally entitled to any proceeds.
- Whether another claimant or lienholder has priority.
- What filing, service, estate, or hearing procedure a specific case requires.
- How long a case will take or what amount, if any, will be paid.
Strict-TLS source index
Review the retained official sources
Only the strict-TLS retained sources below support this scoped guide.
01webserver.rilegislature.gov
02webserver.rilegislature.gov
03webserver.rilegislature.gov
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-36 — Sale without foreclosure
Official source retained from Rhode Island General Assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-37 — Disposition of proceeds
Official source retained from Rhode Island General Assembly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-46 — Forms
Official source retained from Rhode Island General Assembly.
Research intake, not an official filing
Prepare details for a record review
Use these fields to organize review; this is not an official filing form.
Prefer to talk?
Call (307) 323‑4303. Do not send Social Security numbers, bank details, or original legal documents through this form.
Rhode Island process boundaries
Questions to resolve before relying on a route
What does this guide cover?
Only the low-value sale-without-foreclosure lane in Rhode Island General Laws sections 44-9-36 and 44-9-37.
Is every listed time period a claimant filing deadline?
No. The one-year point after municipal purchase is a condition for the later sale, not a claimant deadline. The demand window is five years, but only after confirming that sections 44-9-36 and 44-9-37 govern the balance.
Is there one statewide form or route for every case?
No. Forms under section 44-9-46 are sale forms, not a claimant surplus form. No claim is made about cases outside this narrow lane.
Does submitting information guarantee payment?
No. The statute uses the phrase person entitled; this guide does not invent a broader claimant list. The city or town treasurer's records determine whether this narrow lane and balance exist; no statewide search or intake route is asserted.
Full Circle Asset Recovery is a private asset-recovery firm, not a government agency, court, municipality, or Rhode Island state agency. This guide is general information, not legal advice. FCAR cannot guarantee eligibility, a recovery amount, or a result. Legal rights and filing requirements depend on the verified record and current law.