> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL. > For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.middesk.com/assess-risk/search-liens/llms.txt. > For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.middesk.com/_mcp/server. # Search for liens > Learn how to search for UCC and tax liens associated with a business using the Middesk API. Liens are a critical component of business due diligence, especially for lending and financing decisions. Middesk's Lien Search product enables you to search for Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) liens, Federal tax liens, and State tax liens associated with a business. Understanding a business's lien status helps you: * Assess the financial obligations and encumbrances on a business * Identify secured creditors who have priority claims on business assets * Evaluate credit risk during underwriting processes * Make informed lending and financing decisions ## Types of liens Middesk searches for three primary types of liens: * **UCC Liens**, Uniform Commercial Code filings (UCC-1) that secure interests in personal property and assets * **Federal Tax Liens**, Claims filed by the IRS for unpaid federal taxes * **State Tax Liens**, Claims filed by state tax agencies for unpaid state taxes ### People tax liens Middesk can also search for tax liens on individuals associated with a business. Request a `people_tax_liens` order on a business to trigger a search for tax liens on the submitted and/or retrieved people associated with the business. At the account level, you can configure the search to include submitted people, retrieved people, or both. Once completed, the Person object includes a `liens` array of details with the same structure as business liens. ### People UCC liens Middesk can also search for UCC liens on individuals associated with a business. Request a `people_ucc_liens` order on a business to trigger a search for UCC liens on the submitted people associated with the business. Submit each person with both `first_name` and `last_name`. A person submitted with only a full `name` is not searched for UCC liens. To narrow the search, include a `name_suffix` (for example `Jr`, `Sr`, or `III`) on a submitted person. Middesk then matches only debtors whose name includes that suffix. `name_suffix` affects `people_ucc_liens` searches only and has no effect on any other order type. Once completed, the Person object includes a `liens` array of details with the same structure as business liens. ## How to search for liens Searching for liens requires that you first create a business, wait for verification to complete, then order a liens search for that business. Middesk performs business verification after the business is created, which establishes the business identity and is required before ordering additional products like liens searches. #### Create a business and wait for verification ```bash curl -X POST https://api.middesk.com/v1/businesses \ -u : \ -H "Accept: application/json" \ --data '{ "name": "Example Business Inc", "addresses": [ { "address_line1": "123 Main Street", "city": "San Francisco", "state": "CA", "postal_code": "94105" } ], "tin": { "number": "123456789" } }' ``` Or order the business in the [Dashboard](https://app.middesk.com/). Wait for the business verification to complete before ordering a liens search. The response includes a `business_id` that you'll use to order the liens search: ```json { "id": "2c6bcf81-21c8-4f71-b6c0-1e738338dadf", "object": "business", "name": "Example Business Inc", "status": "pending", ... } ``` #### Order a liens search Once the business exists, order a liens search using the [Dashboard](https://app.middesk.com/) or the Orders API. Include `ucc_documents` to retrieve UCC filing documents as part of the search. ```bash curl -X POST https://api.middesk.com/v1/businesses/{business_id}/orders \ -u : \ -H "Accept: application/json" \ --data '{ "product": "liens", "subproducts": ["ucc_documents"] }' ``` #### Retrieve lien search results When the search completes, you'll receive a webhook notification, if you have [webhooks](/build/webhooks) set up. Otherwise, you can watch the Dashboard for the results. ## Understanding lien results The liens response contains detailed information about each lien found associated with the business. **Lien object structure** Each lien object includes the following key attributes: | Field | Type | Description | | ----------------- | ------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `type` | string | Type of lien: `ucc`, `state`, or `federal` | | `state` | string | The jurisdiction where the lien was filed | | `status` | string | Lien status: `open`, `closed`, or `unknown` | | `filing_date` | string | The date when the lien was filed | | `lapse_date` | string | The date when the lien lapses (for UCC liens) | | `file_number` | string | The official file number from the filing authority | | `debtors` | array | Entities that owe money, including names and addresses | | `secured_parties` | array | Entities to whom money is owed, with contact details | | `collateral` | string | Description of the assets securing the lien | | `collateral_type` | string | Type of collateral. One of `Blanket`, `Collateral`, `Unknown`, `All Assets and Receivables`, `All Receivables`, `All Assets`, `Named Assets`, or `Unavailable` | | `liability_cents` | integer | Total liability amount in cents (for federal tax liens) | | `documents` | array | Associated UCC filing documents | | `source` | object | Link to the primary data source | | `negative_pledge` | boolean | Indicates if debtor pledged not to create additional liens | | `packet_number` | string | The packet number if applicable | Understanding lien status is essential for risk assessment: | Status | Meaning | Risk consideration | | --------- | ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | `open` | The lien is currently active | Business has active secured obligations; creditor has priority claim on assets | | `closed` | The lien has been satisfied or terminated | Historical obligation that has been resolved | | `unknown` | Status cannot be determined | Requires manual review and verification | **`Example lien response`** ```json title="Example lien response" { "object": "list", "data": [ { "id": "lien_00000000000000000000000000", "type": "ucc", "state": "CA", "status": "open", "filing_date": "2023-01-15", "lapse_date": "2028-01-15", "file_number": "2023-0123456", "debtors": [ { "name": "Example Business Inc", "address": { "address_line1": "123 Main Street", "city": "San Francisco", "state": "CA", "postal_code": "94105" } } ], "secured_parties": [ { "name": "First National Bank", "address": { "address_line1": "456 Bank Street", "city": "San Francisco", "state": "CA", "postal_code": "94104" } } ], "collateral": "All assets and equipment", "collateral_type": "Blanket", "documents": [ { "type": "UCC-1", "description": "Initial Filing", "url": "https://..." } ], "negative_pledge": false } ] } ``` ## Review tasks Lien searches generate review tasks that summarize findings. These tasks appear in the Business object's `review.tasks` array. ### liens review task Identify liens associated with the business. | status | message | sub\_label | | ------- | ------------------------------------- | --------------------- | | Success | No Liens found | No Liens | | Warning | Found Open Lien(s) | Open Liens Found | | Warning | Identified Negative Pledge collateral | Liens Found | | Failure | Identified state or federal liens | High Risk Liens Found | For people-related lien review tasks (`people_liens`), see [People verification review tasks](/verify-business/people/review-tasks). > **Get a demo** > > Contact your account manager or [contact sales](https://www.middesk.com/contact-sales) to inquire about access. > Learn how to search for UCC and tax liens associated with a business using the Middesk API.