Is there a lien on my Home? How do I find out?

How to check if there’s a lien on your home

Finding out if there’s a lien on your home is an important step in understanding your property’s legal status. Here are the most effective ways to check:

County Records Search

Contact your county recorder’s office, register of deeds, or county clerk’s office. Liens are public records, and these offices maintain databases of property records including liens.

Property Title Search

Hire a title company to conduct a professional title search. They’ll examine public records to identify any liens against your property.

Credit Report Check

Some liens may appear on your credit report. Request your free annual credit report from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

Online County Records

Many counties offer online property record searches. Visit your county’s official website and look for property or land records sections.

Tax Assessor’s Office

Contact your local tax assessor’s office to check for any tax liens on your property.

Consult an Attorney

A real estate attorney can help you conduct a thorough search and explain any liens they find.

Remember that different types of liens may exist on your property, including tax liens, judgment liens, mortgage liens, and mechanic’s liens. Each may require different approaches to resolution.

Is there a lien on my home? It is easier than ever to find out if you have a lien on your home or property.

Is there a lien on my home? You can find title, deed, and lien records available through your local county recorder. These indexed property records can be obtained in most cases at no charge by researching the archives in person.

There are also a few county websites that offer lien and mortgage records online for the general public. However, in most cases, a login or subscription will be required to access these property records. Typically there is a fee for document images and copies of mortgage deeds. There are also online property record and title information companies that also offer access to the same property records but with a bit more streamlined search efforts and results.

 

Property Liens

What is a Property Lien?

A property lien is a legal claim against a property that must be paid when the property is sold. It represents a creditor’s legal right to seize and sell the property as collateral for an unpaid obligation.

Types of Property Liens

Voluntary Liens

Mortgage Liens

Created when a property owner voluntarily agrees to use their property as collateral for a loan. The most common type is a mortgage lien held by banks or lenders.

Home Equity Liens

Similar to mortgage liens but taken out after the initial purchase, allowing homeowners to borrow against their equity.

Involuntary Liens

Tax Liens

Placed on property by government entities for unpaid property, income, or business taxes. These typically take priority over other liens.

Judgment Liens

Result from court judgments where a creditor has successfully sued a property owner for unpaid debts.

Mechanic’s Liens

Filed by contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers who performed work on a property but weren’t paid for their services or materials.

HOA Liens

Placed by Homeowners Associations for unpaid dues or assessments.

Statutory Liens

IRS Liens

Specifically for unpaid federal taxes, these can attach to all property owned by the taxpayer.

Child Support Liens

Placed on property for unpaid court-ordered child support obligations.

Municipal Utility Liens

For unpaid utility bills like water, sewer, or garbage collection.

Special Purpose Liens

Environmental Liens

Imposed for environmental cleanup costs on contaminated properties.

Lis Pendens

A notice of pending litigation against a property, acting as a temporary lien until the case is resolved.

You can use this service to locate title and lien records for the states below:

AL. Alabama – AK. Alaska – AZ. Arizona – AR. Arkansas – CA. California – CO. Colorado – CT. Connecticut DE. Delaware – FL. Florida – GA. Georgia – GU. Guam – HI. Hawaii – ID. Idaho – IL. Illinois – IN. Indiana – IA. Iowa – KS. Kansas – KY. Kentucky – LA. Louisiana – ME. Maine – MD. Maryland – MA. Massachusetts MI. Michigan – MN. Minnesota – MS. Mississippi – MO. Missouri – MT. Montana – NE. Nebraska – NV. Nevada – NH New Hampshire – NJ  New Jersey – NM  New Mexico – NY New York – NC. North Carolina – ND. North Dakota – OH. Ohio – OK. Oklahoma – OR. Oregon – PA. Pennsylvania – RI. Rhode Island – SC. South Carolina – SD. South Dakota – TN. Tennessee – TX. Texas – UT. Utah – VT. Vermont – VA. Virginia – VI. Virgin Islands – WA. Washington – WV. West Virginia – WI. Wisconsin – WY. Wyoming