Is There a Lien on My Property?
A lien on your property means a creditor has a legal claim against your real estate. That claim can block a sale, prevent refinancing, and in some cases lead to a forced sale of your home. U.S. Title Records searches county recording offices, court judgment dockets, state tax authorities, and federal databases to identify every lien on your property and every lien against you personally. Reports from $95. All 50 states.
Why You Need to Find Out Right Now
If there is a lien on your property and you do not know about it, you cannot sell the property (a title company will flag it at closing), you cannot refinance (the lender's title search will find it), and in some states, the lienholder can force a sale of your home to collect. Liens that go unaddressed grow: judgment liens accrue interest, tax liens incur penalties, and HOA liens in super lien states like Florida, Maryland, and Colorado can partially survive foreclosure.
The most common reason people discover a lien on their property: they are trying to sell or refinance, and the title search at closing reveals it. At that point, the lien must be resolved before the transaction can close, creating delays, costs, and sometimes the collapse of the deal entirely. A Full Owner Lien Report ($195) finds every lien before you get to closing.
Check for Liens Now9 Types of Liens That Can Be on Your Property
Each type is recorded in a different database. A single-source search misses most of them.
Mortgage / Deed of Trust
The most common lien. Recorded by the lender when you borrow to purchase or refinance. Remains until the loan is paid and a satisfaction/reconveyance is recorded.
Found in: County RecorderJudgment Lien
A court awards a creditor money, and the creditor records the judgment. Attaches to all real property you own in that county. Common sources: unpaid medical bills, credit card lawsuits, contract disputes.
Found in: Court Clerk / Superior CourtIRS Federal Tax Lien
The IRS files a Notice of Federal Tax Lien when you owe $25,000+ in unpaid federal taxes. Attaches to all property. Lasts 10 years plus extensions. Has a 120-day right of redemption after foreclosure.
Found in: County Recorder + IRS DatabaseState Tax Lien
Your state's revenue department files a lien for unpaid income tax, sales tax, or business tax. Filed with the county recorder or court clerk depending on the state.
Found in: State Tax Authority + CourtProperty Tax Lien
Delinquent property taxes create an automatic first-priority lien. In many states, the county sells the tax lien to an investor who can eventually foreclose. Tax liens take priority over mortgages.
Found in: County Tax CollectorMechanic / Construction Lien
A contractor or supplier who was not paid files a lien. Priority can relate back to when work began, meaning it can take priority over a later-recorded mortgage.
Found in: County Recorder / CourtHOA / Condo Assessment Lien
Unpaid HOA or condo dues create a lien. In super lien states (FL, MD, CO, NC), a portion survives foreclosure.
Found in: County Recorder + HOAUCC Financing Statement
A secured creditor files a UCC-1 with the Secretary of State for personal property collateral. For real property, a UCC fixture filing may be recorded with the county.
Found in: Secretary of State + CountyLis Pendens (Pending Litigation)
Not technically a lien, but a recorded notice that a lawsuit affecting the property is pending. Effectively clouds title and prevents sale or refinancing until resolved.
Found in: County Recorder / CourtWhich Lien Search Report Do You Need?
The right report depends on whether you need property liens only or personal liens too
Searches all liens recorded against the property only: mortgages, mechanic liens, lis pendens, HOA liens, tax liens. Does NOT search personal liens against the owner (judgments, IRS, UCC, bankruptcy). Use this when you own the property and want to know what encumbrances are on it.
Order $95 ReportEverything in the $95 report PLUS personal liens against the owner: court judgments, state tax liens, IRS federal tax liens, UCC financing statements, and federal bankruptcy records. Free foreclosure status check. Use this when you need to know everything.
Order $195 ReportEverything in the $195 report PLUS complete chain of conveyance, easement research, restrictive covenants, legal description verification, and comparable sales. Use for high-value purchases or preliminary title reports.
Order $375 ReportHow U.S. Title Records Checks Your Property for Liens
A free county website search shows you what one office has on file. A professional lien search examines every database where a lien can be recorded against your property or against you personally. The difference matters because liens are filed in at least four different places: the county recording office (mortgages, mechanic liens, lis pendens), the court clerk (judgment liens), the state tax authority (income and sales tax liens), and federal databases (IRS liens, bankruptcy).
U.S. Title Records has searched property liens across all 50 states since 2009. Our abstractor network has direct access to county recording offices in all 3,250+ U.S. counties, plus court judgment dockets, state tax lien databases, Secretary of State UCC filing systems, and federal bankruptcy records. When you ask "is there a lien on my property," our report gives you the complete answer.
Reports delivered via email in PDF format. No login, no subscription, no contracts. One property, one fee. Email office@ustitlerecords.com with questions. For comprehensive property searches beyond lien identification, see our full schedule of fees. For asset investigation, visit U.S. Asset Records.
What a Free County Search Shows
Current owner name. Assessed value. Open mortgages (index entry only). Tax payment status. This does not identify judgment liens (filed in court, not the recorder), state tax liens, IRS liens, UCC filings, or bankruptcy records. See our free search guide.
What a $95 Report Adds
All recorded encumbrances against the property from the county recording office: every mortgage, mechanic lien, lis pendens, and HOA lien of record with recording references. Does not search personal liens against the owner.
What a $195 Report Adds
Everything the $95 finds, PLUS: court judgment liens, state tax liens, IRS federal tax liens, UCC financing statements, federal bankruptcy records, and a free foreclosure status check. This is the report that answers "is there a lien on my property" completely.
How to Find Out If There Is a Lien on Your Property
To find out if there is a lien on your property, you need to search multiple public record databases, not just the county recorder. Liens are filed in at least four different systems: (1) the county recording office for mortgages, mechanic liens, and lis pendens, (2) the court clerk for judgment liens, (3) the state tax authority for income and sales tax warrants, and (4) federal databases for IRS liens and bankruptcy filings. A search of only one source gives an incomplete answer.
U.S. Title Records provides professional lien searches starting at $95 (property liens only) and $195 (property and personal liens). Reports cover all 3,250+ U.S. counties. Order through the order portal. For a broader lien search overview, see our guide. For free vs. professional comparison, see our dedicated page.
How to Check for Liens on Your Property
Six steps from property address to complete lien identification
Enter Your Address
Provide the property address through the order portal. We identify the correct county and recording office.
Select $95 or $195
$95 for property liens only. $195 for property AND personal liens (recommended). No login or subscription.
Abstractor Assigned
A professional abstractor with experience in your specific county begins the multi-source examination.
All Databases Searched
County recorder, court judgments, state tax, IRS, UCC, and bankruptcy records examined per report scope.
Report Compiled
Every lien identified with recording references, lien type, amount (when available), and filing date.
PDF Delivered
Report emailed in PDF. Email office@ustitlerecords.com with questions. Free consultation included.
Property Lien Questions
Answers regarding liens on property, lien searches, and lien removal
Is There a Lien on My Property?
The only way to know for certain is to search all relevant public record databases. A Property Lien Report ($95) searches recorded property liens. A Full Owner Lien Report ($195) adds personal liens against you. Order through the order portal.
Check Now →How Do I Remove a Lien?
Pay the underlying debt. The creditor files a satisfaction or release with the county recorder or court. Mortgage: lender records satisfaction. Judgment: creditor files satisfaction. Tax lien: taxing authority releases it. An uncancelled lien stays on record even after the debt is paid.
Lien Search Guide →Can I Sell with a Lien?
Not easily. Most title companies require liens to be resolved at or before closing (paid from sale proceeds). If the lien exceeds the sale price, the sale may fail without the lienholder agreeing to a short payoff. A $195 report identifies all liens before you list.
Full Owner Lien Report →Can a Lien Be Filed Without My Knowledge?
Yes. Judgment liens, tax liens, and mechanic liens can all be filed without the property owner being specifically notified of the recording. You may not discover it until you try to sell, refinance, or receive a collection notice.
Check Your Property →How Long Do Liens Last?
Varies by type and state. Mortgage: life of loan. Judgment: 5-20 years (renewable). IRS: 10 years. Mechanic: 90 days to 1 year to enforce. Property tax: until paid (never expires). HOA: until paid. See our lien types guide.
Lien Types Guide →How Much Does a Lien Search Cost?
Property Lien $95. Full Owner Lien $195 (recommended). Expanded $375. Same pricing all 50 states. Full schedule of fees.
Schedule of Fees →Property Lien FAQ
What is the difference between a $95 and $195 lien report?
The $95 Property Lien Report searches liens recorded against the property (county recording office). The $195 Full Owner Lien Report adds personal liens: court judgments, state tax warrants, IRS liens, UCC filings, and bankruptcy. If a creditor has a judgment against you personally, only the $195 finds it.
Can I check liens on a property I want to buy?
Yes. Our lien reports can be ordered on any property in any U.S. county. You do not need to be the owner. Buyers, investors, attorneys, and lenders routinely order lien reports on properties they are considering purchasing. For foreclosure auction due diligence, a $195 report is the minimum.
What happens if I ignore a lien?
The lien remains. Interest and penalties accrue. The lienholder can potentially foreclose (property tax liens, mechanic liens, HOA liens in some states). You cannot sell or refinance until resolved. Judgment liens can be renewed, extending the encumbrance indefinitely.
Can a lien affect my credit score?
Tax liens no longer appear on credit reports (as of 2018). However, the underlying debt may still be reported by the creditor. A lien on your property does not directly appear on your credit report, but it affects your ability to sell, refinance, or obtain a HELOC.
Do liens expire?
Some do. Judgment liens: 5-20 years by state (renewable). Mechanic liens: 6-12 months to enforce. IRS: 10 years. Mortgage: life of loan. Property tax: never expires. Even "expired" liens may remain on record if no satisfaction was filed. A $195 report identifies filing dates and status.
What do I need to order?
Only the property street address. Submit through the order portal. We identify the county and all applicable recording offices and courts. No account, subscription, or commitment. One fee per property. PDF via email. BBB A+ since 2009.
Find Out If There Is a Lien on Your Property
Professional multi-source lien search for any property in any U.S. county. County recorder, court judgments, state tax, IRS, UCC, and bankruptcy all examined. Reports from $95. Do not wait until closing to find out.