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UCC & Search
Civil judgment liens · county-level

Search civil judgment liens. County-level search, same day.

A judgment lien is a court-issued claim against a debtor's property after a civil judgment is entered. Judgment liens are filed in the county where the debtor has real or personal property. They survive bankruptcy on the lien property and have priority based on filing order. Required for M&A due diligence, real estate transactions, and lender underwriting. We search county records same day.

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All 50 states + DC 60-day money-back SOC 2 Type II
How it works

How we handle Judgment Lien Search, end-to-end.

A judgment lien is a court-issued claim against a debtor's property after a civil judgment is entered.

1

Debtor + county selection

Debtor's exact legal name. County where the debtor has real or personal property. For multi-county debtors, we cover each county separately.

2

County records search

Electronic search of county recorder UCC records (where available) plus court records for unrecorded judgments. Some counties require on-site research; we use local researchers.

3

Report delivery

Clean report listing all active judgment liens with: court of origin, case number, judgment amount, filing date, plaintiff (creditor), and any renewals or releases.

4

Multi-county or statewide search

For M&A or large loans, we search multiple counties or all counties in a state. Standard package: county of HQ, county of major assets, county of debtor's residence.

What we'll set up for you

A clean handoff, in four steps.

You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.

01 · Name + Brand

A name that's actually available.

Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.

02 · State filing

Filed with the Secretary of State.

We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.

03 · Federal IDs

EIN + the right tax setup.

Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.

04 · Stay compliant

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.

Pricing

Transparent judgment lien search pricing.

Government fees pass through at cost. No upsells.

Single county

$129
One county search.

Judgment lien search in one county, same-day where electronic records allow. County fee passes through at cost.

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Multi-county bundle

$499
Up to 5 counties.

Judgment lien search in up to 5 counties for M&A or multi-county debtors. Coordinated report. For statewide search (all counties in one state) custom quote.

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Complete DD package

$699
Judgment + UCC + tax lien, 5 jurisdictions.

Complete lien due-diligence: judgment lien in 5 counties, UCC in 5 states, federal and state tax liens in 5 jurisdictions. Bundled for M&A and major lender due diligence.

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FAQ

About the Judgment Lien Search Service.

What is a judgment lien search?
A judgment lien search checks public records for court judgments that have become liens against a person's or business's property, revealing debts a court has ordered paid that attach to real estate or assets. It is used in due diligence and lending. We keep your entity records organized so a search on your business is clean.
Why would I run a judgment lien search?
To check a business or person you are lending to, buying from, or partnering with for outstanding court judgments that could affect their assets, or to review your own record before a transaction. It surfaces liabilities a basic check misses. We flag when it is worthwhile.
What is a judgment lien?
It is a lien that arises when a court judgment for money is recorded against the debtor's property, so the creditor has a secured claim if the property is sold. It can cloud title and complicate transactions. We flag how such liens affect a business or a deal you are evaluating.
How does a judgment become a lien?
After a creditor wins a money judgment, they can record it in the county or state where the debtor owns property, which attaches the lien to that property, so the recording step is what creates the lien. We help you understand the record when it appears in due diligence.
Does a judgment lien affect buying a business?
Yes: undischarged judgment liens against a business or its assets can transfer with the assets or cloud the deal, so a search is essential before acquiring a company. We keep your entity records organized so due diligence on your business is straightforward.
How do I clear a judgment lien?
Generally by paying or settling the underlying judgment and obtaining a release, or through other legal means, after which the lien is removed from the record. We flag how a lien is cleared so a satisfied judgment does not linger against a business.
How is this different from a UCC or tax lien search?
A judgment lien search covers court judgments, while a UCC search covers secured-lending filings and a tax lien search covers IRS and state tax liens, so thorough due diligence covers all three. We flag which searches a transaction warrants.
When should I run one?
Before lending to, buying, or entering a significant deal with a business or person, so you know of judgments that affect their assets, and periodically on your own business before major transactions. We flag when it fits your due diligence.
Can File.Business help with lien due diligence?
We keep your entity and records organized so searches tie to it correctly, and can point you toward judgment, UCC, and tax lien searches for due diligence, so the lien picture on a business is complete before you rely on its assets.

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Every deadline auto-tracked across your entities. Compliance Score visible year-round.
Transparent pricing
No hidden fees. No upsells at checkout. State fees disclosed upfront.

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