How do you find out if there is a lien on a property?
To find liens on a property, search the county land records, property tax records, court judgment records, and federal tax lien records in the county where the property sits. Start with the recorder, register of deeds, or clerk of superior court. Then check the tax office and court clerk. In Georgia, also search the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority lien index. Order a title search if the property history is messy or you need closing ready answers.
Key facts
- Indiana sellers can use the county Recorder's public terminals for Federal Tax Liens, mortgages, and mechanic's liens, and the Treasurer for tax payment status.
- Ohio county recorders record mortgages and many liens, including internal revenue tax liens and mechanic's liens.
- Georgia has a GSCCCA lien index.
Selling in Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Tennessee or Georgia? Get a written cash offer in 24 hours, no obligation.
Get my cash offerStart with the county and the owner's names
A good lien search starts with the county where the house sits. Use the deed, tax bill, parcel number, legal description, and every owner name you know. Also search prior last names, estate names, and trust names if they appear on old papers.
Do not stop after one website search. A clean search checks land records, tax records, court records, and federal tax lien records.
If you are not sure what counts as a lien, start with what a lien on a house is. Then come back to the office checklist below and search each place that applies to your state.
State office checklist
Use this table as your map. The office names differ by state, and a lien can appear in more than one office. If you are an heir, search the deceased owner's name and any estate name shown in the papers.
| State | Land records to search | Property tax office | Court or judgment records | Federal tax lien search |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | County Recorder | County Treasurer | County Clerk for state tax liens and court cases | County Recorder |
| Ohio | County Recorder | County Treasurer | Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas | County Recorder |
Search the land record office first
Land records are where many recorded liens and releases show up. In Indiana, Shelby County says the Recorder's public terminals can be used to check Federal Tax Liens, mortgages, mechanic's liens, and other liens. In Ohio, the county recorder records mortgages and many liens, including internal revenue tax liens, mechanic's liens, personal tax liens, and other United States liens.
Search for the current owner and any past owner connected to the property. Look for mortgages, deeds of trust, construction liens, mechanic's liens, fixture filings, tax liens, releases, satisfactions, and documents that say a lien was discharged.
Door County says the Register of Deeds has no jurisdiction over the lien or release paperwork after the lien is satisfied, so the office may not be able to solve the lien itself.
Check unpaid property taxes separately
Check property taxes as a separate step. In Indiana, Shelby County says tax payment status comes from the Treasurer's office.
In Tennessee, the Trustee is the tax collection agency for each county, and Davidson County's Trustee collects real property taxes and processes delinquent taxes. In Ohio, the county treasurer enforces tax liens in the treasurer's official capacity when delinquent taxes are enforced.
Search court and judgment records
Judgment records are name based, so search court records under every owner name you collected. In Ohio, a judgment can become a lien on land when a certificate of judgment is filed with the clerk of the court of common pleas in that county. Ohio law also says that clerk dockets and indexes the certificate under the names of the judgment creditor and judgment debtor.
Indiana sellers should check the County Clerk for state tax liens or court cases because Shelby County's Recorder FAQ sends those records to the Clerk's office.
Georgia has a lien tool from the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.
Search federal tax liens in the county system
Use official county or state systems for the federal tax lien search. Do not use a paid lookup site as the source of truth.
- Indiana: search the County Recorder.
- Ohio: search the County Recorder's official records.
Know what a title search adds
A title search is broader than a homeowner's online search.
Order one when mistakes would be costly: inherited house, probate, divorce, foreclosure, unpaid property taxes, old mortgages with missing releases, contractor disputes, name changes, or any offer that depends on a clean closing.
If a lien shows up, it does not automatically tell you the next step. You may need a payoff, release, correction, or closing plan. For next steps, read how to sell a house with a lien or what a tax lien on a house is.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find all liens on one website?
Do not treat one paid lookup site as the source of truth. Official county and state records are the right places to check.
Where do I check federal tax liens?
Check the local recording system for the county. In Indiana and Ohio, use the County Recorder. Search by the owner's legal name.
Where do I check unpaid property taxes?
Use the property tax office for the county. That is the County Treasurer in Indiana and Ohio, and the County Trustee in Tennessee.
What if I find an old mortgage but no release?
Search the same land records for a satisfaction, release, discharge, or related document. Door County says the Register of Deeds has no jurisdiction over the lien or release paperwork once a federal income tax lien is satisfied. If the record is still unclear, order a title search before accepting an offer.
Should an heir order a title search?
Often, yes. An inherited property can have old mortgages, tax issues, court records, or name problems that are easy to miss. A title search can help flag issues before closing.
Sources
Checked against each source on November 3, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
- Shelby County Recorder FAQ (Shelby County, Indiana / IN.gov)
- Ohio Rev. Code 317.08 (Ohio Laws / Ohio Legislative Service Commission)
- Ohio Rev. Code 2329.02 (Ohio Laws / Ohio Legislative Service Commission)
- Ohio Rev. Code 323.25 (Ohio Laws / Ohio Legislative Service Commission)
- Office of the Metropolitan Trustee (Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee)
Related seller questions
- What is a lien on a house?
- How do you sell a house with a lien?
- What is a tax lien on a house?
- What is a lis pendens on a property?