A recent winner of an $800 million Mega Millions jackpot in Florida has 90 days to claim their prize before their identity becomes public record, according to Florida law. The winning ticket, sold for a prize that ranks as the largest in 2026 and the 10th-largest in the game's history, was for the drawing held Tuesday night. The winning numbers were 34, 48, 49, 59, 70, with a Mega Ball of 12.
Under Florida Statute 24.1051, individuals who win lottery prizes of $250,000 or more are granted a 90-day exemption from public disclosure. This period begins once the winning ticket is officially claimed at the Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee. After this 90-day grace period concludes, the winner's full legal name and city of residence will be made available to anyone who files a public records request. However, their street address and phone number will remain confidential.
To maintain anonymity beyond the 90-day period, many jackpot winners in Florida opt to establish a legal entity, such as a blind trust or an LLC, before claiming their prize. This entity then claims the winnings, meaning that public records requests will identify the legal entity rather than the individual winner. This strategy is often facilitated by asset-protection attorneys hired by the winner.
The timeline for claiming the prize is also critical. The winner has 180 days from the date of the draw to claim their winnings. Additionally, there is a 60-day window from the draw date to decide between a lump-sum cash payout or a 30-year annuity. Due to these deadlines, particularly the short window for the cash option, major winners typically take several weeks to assemble a team of legal and financial advisors before formally claiming their prize.