UCC Search, Tax Lien, Judgment, and Court Records

Public records are an important source of business credit information. Records on liens, judgments, bankruptcies, Uniform Commercial Code filings and other items may identify potential problems and credit risk.

There are many reasons for searching, collection, lending money, purchasing a business, background, or wanting to collateralize a transaction.

Understanding the complexity of business and personal liens can be a confusing task. Liens can be voluntary or involuntary. In California, the UCC searches are located at the Secretary of State. Federal and State tax liens and some judgments can be found at the state or County Recorder’s office. Other judgments and cases pending are found at the county courts.

For UCC search requests, please download the PDF below, fill it out, and send it to us at [email protected]

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Uniform Commercial Code: A set of laws adopted by most states regulating commercial or business dealings and transactions. A UCC lien usually results when an entity lends money to a debtor, and the debtor pledges collateral to the lender in exchange for the loan. In California these liens are filed with a state agency such as the California Secretary of State.

Federal Tax Lien: Tax assessed against the taxpayer’s property which remains unpaid after a demand for payment from the US government. These liens are normally filed at the state or county level in California.

State Tax Lien: Liens assessed by the state. Normally filed at the state or county level.

Federal Tax Lien: A judgment lien is a type of nonconsensual lien (a lien that attaches to your property without your agreement). It is created when someone wins a lawsuit against you and then records the judgment against your property. Judgments can be found in the state records where normally but not always, UCC’s are filed, at the county recorder or at the court itself; county courts and federal courts. Potential liens are found at the courts which are normally called suits pending.

Federal Bankruptcy: Federal bankruptcy law provides two distinct forms of relief: liquidation and rehabilitation, also known as reorganization. The vast majority of bankruptcy filings in the United States involve liquidation, governed by chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. In a chapter 7 liquidation case, a trustee collects the debtor's nonexempt assets and converts them into cash. The trustee then distributes the resulting fund to the creditors in order of priority described in the Bankruptcy Code. Bankruptcy searches are performed at the Federal level.

Many so called database searching cannot accomplish this difficult task as all jurisdictions are not located on any one database. Also, these “national lien databases” only have some information and many times if information is not current. SunDoc Filings can help with the labyrinth of lien searching. With access to thousands of nationwide correspondents and local databases dedicated to one jurisdiction, SunDoc will use the best source to complete your search with experience in a timely manner.

To Order a SunDoc Search Online:

1. Complete our online order form You can order your UCC, Tax Lien, Judgment, and Court searches CA. We will perform the search and provide you the results usually within 1-3 business days. Some orders may be complete the same day depending on the type and location of the search.
2. Look for your order confirmation You will receive an order confirmation within an hour via email from your Account Manager.
3. Search results sent via e-mail We pride ourselves in providing fast, accurate, and quality results at a reasonable cost. Our searches combine online databases with manual searches to provide you with the most current and reliable information available. When your searches demand the best, we deliver! Plus, you can see historical searches on our database to avoid duplicating your efforts and costs.