{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien-searches","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/lien-searches","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"lien-searches","term":"lien searches","group":"Doing the deal","definition":"These investigations check public records to identify any existing claims or security interests (liens) against the business's assets or the seller. This ensures you're buying assets free and clear.","what_it_means":"Your lender will conduct UCC lien searches and other lien searches (e.g., tax liens) on the seller and the business to confirm that the assets you are acquiring are unencumbered. Any existing liens must be satisfied at closing, or your lender will not have first lien position, which is a deal-breaker for SBA loans.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien-searches","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"lien","term":"Lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien"},{"slug":"ucc-lien","term":"UCC lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ucc-lien"},{"slug":"perfect-lien","term":"Perfect lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/perfect-lien"},{"slug":"first-lien","term":"First lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/first-lien"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"When must a lender take a lien on specific equipment for collateral, beyond a blanket lien?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-must-a-lender-take-a-lien-on-specific-equipment-for-collateral-beyond-a-blanket-lien"},{"question":"Is a separate lien required on each piece of equipment if a blanket lien is already in place?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/is-a-separate-lien-required-on-each-piece-of-equipment-if-a-blanket-lien-is-already-in-pla"},{"question":"Does the SBA take a lien on my personal home as collateral?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-the-sba-take-a-lien-on-my-personal-home-as-collateral"},{"question":"Is a blanket lien on all business assets a standard SBA requirement?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/is-a-blanket-lien-on-all-business-assets-a-standard-sba-requirement"},{"question":"What is the SBA's general requirement for lien position on business collateral?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-sba-s-general-requirement-for-lien-position-on-business-collateral"},{"question":"Is a UCC-1 filing sufficient to perfect a lien on business assets?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/is-a-ucc-1-filing-sufficient-to-perfect-a-lien-on-business-assets"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — lien searches","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien-searches","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}