Can you look up a lien on property?
Asked by: Dr. Leopoldo Koss | Last update: February 17, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (26 votes)
Yes, you can look up a property lien by searching public records at the county recorder/clerk's office (often online), checking with the county tax assessor, or hiring a title company for a comprehensive report; liens are public records tied to the property or owner, covering debts like mortgages, taxes, or judgments.
How to search if a property has a lien?
To find liens on a property, check the county recorder's/clerk's office online or in person for public records, use a title company for a comprehensive search (especially before buying/selling), search the state's Secretary of State website for business-related liens, and check tax assessor records for unpaid property taxes. Liens are public, so these methods reveal claims against the property, like mortgages, judgments, or tax liens, by searching the property's address or owner's name.
How long does a lien last in Ohio?
Judgment lien: In Ohio, a judgment lien can be valid for up to 5 years. However, the lien can be extended for an additional 5 years if the creditor files a renewal notice before the expiration of the original lien.
Can you have a lien on your house and not know it?
A lien could be placed on your house without you knowing it but it is not supposed to happen that way. Your state law will govern what notice is required to ensure you don't get a lien or that you know about it.
How to tell if a title has a lien on it?
One of the best ways to avoid delays, extra paperwork, and the hassle of resolving an outstanding lien is to know a car's lien status before buying it. Ask to see the physical title before any money changes hands. If there's a lien, the title certificate will be stamped.
2 Ways To Check If There's a Lien On a Property (For Surplus Funds Recovery)
Can I run a title search myself?
Yes, you can do a title search yourself by checking public records at the county clerk's, recorder's, or assessor's office (online or in-person) for deeds, liens, and tax records, but professional title companies are often recommended for complex properties to avoid missing critical legal issues like unreleased mortgages, liens, easements, or judgments that could cloud the title.
How do you get around a lien on a title?
Once you have paid off your loan, the lien should be removed by removing the lender from your Certificate of Title. Typically, once you pay off your loan, the lender signs the back of the Certificate of Title to release the title to you.
Can someone put a lien on your house if you don't have a mortgage?
Can someone put a lien on my house if she's on my deed? If she is on the deed, a creditor can file a lien against the house regardless of the mortgage.
Can you tell if a house is paid off?
State property records will show whether your lien is released. You can find information on property records by contacting your local Secretary of State or county recorder of deeds.
Can anyone file a lien on my property?
Yes, many different parties can place a lien on your house, including mortgage lenders, government agencies (IRS, local taxes, child support), unpaid contractors, HOAs, and even creditors who win a court judgment against you, all serving as legal claims for unpaid debts or obligations that must be settled before you can sell or refinance. These can be voluntary (like a mortgage) or involuntary (like a tax lien or judgment lien).
Can you sell a house with a lien on it in Ohio?
Just like how you can sell a home with mortgage, you can sell a house with a lien, but it complicates the sale process. Liens must be resolved or disclosed to buyers for a clear title transfer. Paying off the lien before closing simplifies the transaction and reassures buyers.
How long can a house be sold with a lien on it?
The period for how long a lien can last will vary depending on your state. However, most liens remain on a title for up to 2 years.
How to monitor your home title for free?
And you can check your title for free with your state's land records office, and some areas even have a free notification program that allows you to sign up for alerts about any legal changes, like ownership of a property.
What is the cost to remove a lien?
If the lien is a mortgage lien, you may have to pay a reconveyance fee to the lender to release the lien. This fee can range from $100 to $300. You may also have to pay a recording fee to record the lien release document with the county recorder's office. This fee can range from $10 to $50.
How does a lien affect your credit score?
While unpaid liens don't appear on your credit report, they can hurt your credit since your lender reports your payment history to the credit bureaus. Consequently, a record of nonpayment could appear on your credit report.
Can you look up how much someone owes on their mortgage?
You can find out how much someone owes on a house by checking public property records at the county recorder's or clerk's office (often online), looking for recorded liens, or using third-party property search websites, though you'll likely only find the original mortgage amount and lien details, not the exact current balance, requiring an amortization calculation for an estimate.
What happens if you pay a house in full?
When your mortgage is paid off, first handle administrative tasks like canceling autopay and getting your lien released, then set up a system for paying property taxes/insurance directly (maybe a new "escrow" account); next, re-evaluate your budget and redirect that freed-up money towards other financial goals like building an emergency fund, paying off other debts, or investing for retirement, while keeping homeowners insurance and considering home improvements.
How to check if there is a loan on the property?
The EC is an important document confirming that the property does not have any outstanding liabilities. By doing an EC check online, individuals seeking to buy a property are assured that the previous owners have not taken a loan against the property in question.
How do you find out if a property has a lien on it?
To find liens on a property, check the county recorder's/clerk's office online or in person for public records, use a title company for a comprehensive search (especially before buying/selling), search the state's Secretary of State website for business-related liens, and check tax assessor records for unpaid property taxes. Liens are public, so these methods reveal claims against the property, like mortgages, judgments, or tax liens, by searching the property's address or owner's name.
What are the three types of liens?
The three main types of liens are Consensual, Statutory, and Judgment liens, classified by how they are created: by agreement (consensual, like a mortgage), by law (statutory, like a tax lien or mechanic's lien), or by court order (judgment, after a lawsuit). These liens give creditors a legal claim on a debtor's property to secure repayment of a debt, affecting the property's transferability until resolved.
Will I be notified if someone puts a lien on my house?
Yes, generally you are notified if a lien is placed on your house, often via certified mail or personal service after it's recorded as a public record, but sometimes notice can be delayed if addresses are wrong or for specific liens like tax liens, so checking public records is important. While some states require preliminary notices (like for contractors), liens are public, and you should receive notice, though issues can arise.
Can I remove a lien without paying?
Wait for the Statute of Limitations to Expire – In some instances, you can remove a lien without paying off the debt by running out the statute of limitations. For example, the amount of time a judgment lien can remain on your property varies by state.
How do you remove a lien?
Lien removal involves satisfying the underlying debt (paying it off or settling) and obtaining a formal lien release document from the creditor, then filing that document with the appropriate local office (like the county recorder or DMV) to clear the public record, though sometimes liens can be challenged in court if invalid or removed after a statute of limitations expires. The process differs slightly for property (filing at county records) versus vehicles (DMV/title process), with the IRS having specific procedures for tax liens.
What happens if a title has a lien on it?
The lien gives the lender a legal claim to the vehicle if you don't pay the loan as agreed. Think of it as the lender's insurance policy that they maintain ownership of the vehicle if you don't repay them. The lender keeps the title until you've paid your loan off.