Property Searches
Title Search | Lien Search | Owner Search | Deed Retrieval | Chain of Title
U.S. Title Records provides seven types of professional property searches covering every county in all 50 states. Our abstractor network examines county recording offices, court judgment dockets, state tax lien databases, and federal filing systems to produce comprehensive reports that free online portals cannot replicate. BBB A+ accredited since 2009. No login, subscription, or contract required. Reports delivered via email in PDF format.
Professional Property Searches Across All 50 States
Every property search begins with a question: who owns this property, what liens are attached, is the title clear, or what is the full chain of ownership? U.S. Title Records has answered these questions for homebuyers, investors, attorneys, lenders, and estate executors 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.
What separates a professional property search from a free online portal lookup is the number of databases examined and the expertise applied to the findings. A county assessor website can tell you who owns a property. It cannot tell you whether that owner has judgment liens in the court system, whether a mechanic lien was filed with the recorder three weeks ago, whether the IRS has a federal tax lien, or whether a lis pendens signals pending litigation. Our property searches pull from every relevant source and compile the findings into a formal report with recording references.
Property searches from U.S. Title Records require no login, no account creation, and no subscription. Submit the property address through the order portal, select the report scope, and receive your report via email in PDF format. One property, one fee, one report. For free property search options and their limitations, see our dedicated guide.
Multi-Source Examination, Not Single-Database Lookups
Online property search aggregators pull from a single database. Our abstractors examine the county recorder’s index, cross-reference the assessor for ownership and valuation, search court judgment dockets for civil liens, check state tax authorities for tax warrants, query the Secretary of State for UCC filings, and verify federal bankruptcy records. The result is a comprehensive picture that single-database services cannot produce.
State-Specific Recording System Expertise
Every state uses a different recording system. California uses County Recorders, Michigan uses Register of Deeds, Florida uses Clerk of Court, Virginia uses Circuit Court Clerks across 133 jurisdictions, and New Jersey splits records between County Clerk and Superior Court. Our abstractors are trained in the specific recording system of each state and county.
Seven Report Types for Every Situation
From a $29 ownership verification to a $375 comprehensive title examination with easement research and chain of conveyance. From a $45 deed retrieval to a $75 statewide name search. Each report scope is designed for a specific use case, so you pay only for the level of examination your situation requires. See our schedule of fees.
Types of Property Searches Available
Seven report scopes designed for specific real estate questions
Property Detail Report
Current owner, assessed value, tax status, open mortgages, property characteristics, most recent sale. The starting point for any property search question. Answers “who owns this and what’s it worth?”
$29
Document Image (Deed Copy)
A certified or recorded copy of a specific instrument: deed, mortgage, discharge, assignment, or other recorded document. Retrieved directly from the county recording office.
$45
Title Search by Name
All properties in a county ($75) or statewide ($535) owned by or recorded against a specific individual or entity. Used for estate administration, judgment collection, and asset identification.
$75 / $535
Property Lien Report
All recorded encumbrances against a specific property: mortgages, judgment liens, mechanic liens, tax liens, lis pendens. Searches the county recording office only (does not include owner personal liens).
$95
Full Owner Lien Report
The most ordered report. All liens on the property AND personal liens against the owner: court judgments, state tax warrants, IRS liens, UCC filings, bankruptcy. Free foreclosure status check included.
$195
Chain of Title Report
Complete sequence of recorded conveyances from the current owner back through all prior transfers. Identifies gaps, breaks, and irregularities in the chain. Used for quiet title actions and ownership disputes.
$275
Expanded Title Search
The most comprehensive property search available. Everything in the $195 report plus full chain of conveyance, easement research, restrictive covenants, legal description verification, and comparable sales. Functions as a preliminary title report.
$375
Who Needs Property Searches and When
Property searches serve every stage of the real estate transaction lifecycle
Before Purchasing
Verify the seller owns the property free and clear. Identify liens, encumbrances, and competing claims before committing funds. $195 recommended for any purchase.
Before Lending
Verify collateral quality before funding. Identify prior liens with higher priority than the proposed mortgage. Expanded Title Search ($375) provides underwriting-level documentation.
Before Auction Bidding
Identify liens that survive foreclosure: HOA super liens, tax certificates, IRS redemption rights, senior encumbrances. Due diligence before the gavel falls. $195 minimum.
Legal and Estate Proceedings
Probate administration, quiet title actions, seller financing due diligence, and judgment collection. Nationwide asset searches through U.S. Asset Records.
What Is a Property Search?
A property search is an examination of public records to determine who owns a specific property, what liens and encumbrances are attached, and whether the title is clear for transfer. In the United States, property records are maintained at the county level by a recording office (called the County Recorder, Register of Deeds, Clerk of Court, County Auditor, or Circuit Court Clerk depending on the state). Additional records affecting property, including judgment liens, tax warrants, and UCC filings, are maintained by separate court and state-level agencies.
A comprehensive property search examines all of these sources and compiles the findings into a formal report. U.S. Title Records provides property searches for any address in any of the 3,250+ U.S. counties, with reports ranging from $29 (ownership verification) to $375 (comprehensive title examination). For a comparison of free vs. professional property searches, see our dedicated guide. For online title search instructions, see our step-by-step page.
What Property Searches Reveal
A professional property search can reveal: current and prior owners, open mortgages and deeds of trust, judgment liens from lawsuits, state and federal tax liens, mechanic/construction liens, HOA/condo assessment liens (including super liens in states like Florida and Maryland), lis pendens (pending litigation), easements and restrictive covenants, UCC financing statements, bankruptcy filings, and foreclosure proceedings. See our lien types guide for details.
Property Searches by State
Recording systems vary by state. California (58 counties, community property, Mello-Roos), Florida (67 counties, unlimited homestead, HOA super lien), New Jersey (21 counties, split-filing), Maryland (24 jurisdictions, ground rent), Michigan (83 counties, land contracts), Virginia (133 jurisdictions, independent cities). View our complete state directory.
How Property Searches Work at U.S. Title Records
From address submission to professional report in your inbox
Provide the Address
Enter the property address through the order portal. We identify the correct state, county, and recording office.
Choose Report Scope
Select from 7 report types ($29-$375). Each designed for a specific use case. No subscription or commitment.
Abstractor Begins
A professional abstractor with experience in the specific county and state recording system begins the examination.
Multiple Databases Searched
County recording office, assessor, court judgments, state tax authority, UCC filings, and bankruptcy records examined per report scope.
Report Assembled
Findings compiled with recording references (book and page, instrument numbers) and professional analysis of what the findings mean.
PDF Emailed
Report sent to your email. Email office@ustitlerecords.com with questions. Asset searches through U.S. Asset Records.
Property Search Questions
Answers regarding property searches, title examination, and public records access
What Is the Difference Between a Property Search and a Title Search?
The terms are used interchangeably in practice. “Property search” often refers to a broader examination that includes ownership, liens, and property characteristics. “Title search” more specifically refers to examining the chain of ownership and encumbrances affecting the title. At U.S. Title Records, all property searches include title examination as part of the scope.
How Much Do Property Searches Cost?
Property Detail $29, Deed Copy $45, Name Search $75/$535, Lien Report $95, Full Owner Lien $195, Chain of Title $275, Expanded $375. Same pricing nationwide. Full schedule of fees.
Can I Search Property Records for Free?
Yes, with limitations. Most counties provide free online assessor data and many provide free recorder index access. Free searches examine only one database in one county and cannot identify judgment liens, state tax liens, UCC filings, or bankruptcy records. See our free property title search guide for details and state-by-state free access resources.
How Do I Find the Owner of a Property?
A Property Detail Report ($29) provides the current vested owner for any U.S. property. County assessor websites also provide free owner information by address. To find all properties owned by a specific individual, a Title Search by Name ($75) examines all properties in a county. See our property owner search guide.
How Do I Check for Liens on a Property?
A Property Lien Report ($95) searches all recorded encumbrances against the property. A Full Owner Lien Report ($195) adds personal liens against the owner (judgments, tax warrants, UCC, bankruptcy). For a complete overview of lien types, see our lien types guide and lien search page.
What States Does U.S. Title Records Cover?
All 50 states and 3,250+ counties at the same pricing. State-specific pages: CA, FL, NJ, MD, MI, VA, and more. Full state directory. For asset searches beyond property, visit U.S. Asset Records.
Property Search FAQ
What is the most popular property search report?
The Full Owner Lien Report ($195) is the most ordered report. It searches all liens on the property AND personal liens against the owner, including court judgments, tax liens, UCC filings, and bankruptcy. Includes a free foreclosure status check.
What is the difference between a $95 and $195 report?
The $95 Property Lien Report searches liens recorded against the property only. The $195 Full Owner Lien Report adds personal liens against the owner: court judgments, state tax warrants, IRS liens, UCC filings, and bankruptcy. For purchases and lending, the $195 is recommended.
Can I search by owner name instead of address?
Yes. A Title Search by Name locates all properties owned by or recorded against a specific person or entity. County-level search is $75. Statewide search is $535. Used for estate administration, judgment collection, and asset identification.
What is a chain of title?
The complete sequence of recorded conveyances for a property, from the current owner back through all prior transfers. A Chain of Title Report ($275) documents every transfer, identifies gaps or breaks, and is used for quiet title actions and ownership disputes. See our chain of title guide.
How do property searches work for foreclosure auctions?
A Full Owner Lien Report ($195) identifies all encumbrances before bidding: which liens survive the sale, HOA super lien amounts, IRS redemption rights, and senior encumbrances. See our foreclosure auction buyer guide for state-by-state foreclosure rules.
Is there any signup or ongoing cost?
No signup, no account creation, no subscription, and no ongoing cost. Each report is a one-time fee for one property. Submit the address, select the report, pay once, and receive your PDF via email. BBB A+ accredited since 2009.
Start Your Property Search
Professional property searches for any address in any U.S. county. Seven report types from $29. Multi-source examination by trained abstractors. Reports delivered via email in PDF format.