The Process
How Does a Property Lien Search Work?
A step-by-step look at every record we search, what we find, and what you receive in your final report — so you know exactly what you’re getting.
A property lien search involves systematically reviewing multiple public record databases to identify all recorded liens against a specific property. Here’s exactly how we do it.
The Complete 7-Step Lien Search Process
Property Identification
We start by precisely identifying the property using every available identifier to ensure we search the right records:
- • Full street address
- • County location (critical in Florida — each county maintains separate records)
- • Parcel Identification Number (PIN) from the county property appraiser
- • Legal description from the deed or title
County Recorder’s Office Search
We search the county Official Records (OR) database — the primary source for most liens in Florida. Records searched include:
- • Mechanics liens (construction, contractor, subcontractor)
- • Mortgages and deeds of trust
- • Assignments and modifications
- • Lis pendens (pending litigation notices)
- • Satisfactions and releases (to verify liens were paid)
In Florida, all 67 counties maintain their own separate Official Records databases. We search the specific county where your property is located.
Civil Court Records Search
Judgment liens arise from court cases — these are separate from recorder records and are often the most commonly missed liens in DIY searches:
- • Circuit court judgments (civil cases over $8,000)
- • County court judgments (civil cases under $8,000)
- • Federal court judgments (U.S. District Court)
- • Small claims judgments
Tax Records Search
Tax liens are some of the most dangerous because they have super-priority over most other liens:
- • Property tax status — current or delinquent (county tax collector)
- • IRS federal tax liens (UCC and NFTL filings)
- • Florida Department of Revenue state tax liens
- • Tax certificate and tax deed status
Additional Public Records
We also search several additional record sources to catch liens that many searches miss:
- • HOA/COA lien records (where applicable)
- • Code enforcement liens (municipal violations)
- • Water/sewer/utility liens
- • Special assessment districts (common in Florida communities)
- • Community Development District (CDD) assessments
Document Review & Analysis
Our team reviews all discovered documents to:
- • Verify lien amounts and creditor information
- • Confirm the lien is still active (check for releases)
- • Determine lien priority order
- • Calculate total encumbrances
- • Identify any title defects or issues
Report Generation & Delivery
We compile all findings into a comprehensive report and deliver it to your account dashboard. The report includes:
- • All active liens with amounts, dates, and creditors
- • Lien priority order
- • Total encumbrances summary
- • PDF copies of key lien documents
- • Next steps recommendations
Ready for Your Lien Search?
Get comprehensive results in 24 hours. Starting at $49.
Order Your Search — $49What’s In Your Report?
Your lien search report is organized for clarity:
| Lien Type | Amount | Filed Date | Creditor | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Mortgage | $280,000 | 08/12/2020 | First National Bank | 1st |
| Property Taxes | $3,400 | 01/01/2025 | Orange County Tax | 2nd |
| Mechanics Lien | $15,000 | 03/15/2024 | ABC Plumbing Inc | 3rd |
How Long Does It Take?
Start Your Search Today
Florida lien searches starting at $49. Order now, results in your dashboard in hours.
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