A Beginner’s Guide to Public Records Searches

Do you need a bankruptcy search for a real estate or business transaction? Do you need to perform a Universal Commercial Code (UCC) lien search for a new business partnership? Many new investors are unfamiliar with the due diligence process and aren’t aware of the costs. Today we’ll break down the basics.

Service Fees

Due diligence companies navigate the complex arena of public records. Obviously there is cost involved in having a search performed. A typical service company will charge on a per-name or per-jurisdiction basis. Oftentimes, however, searches can be bundled into packages to reduce cost.

Correspondent or Vendor Charges

Across all 50 states and Washington D.C., there are over 3000 counties in the United States. That’s a lot of ground to cover. In any areas where your service company cannot physically visit, they will enlist a local vendor to carry out your search request. Unfortunately, many search companies outsource their services to offshore vendors when searches can be performed online—and this can reduce quality for the sake of cost.

Jurisdictional or Statutory Fees

While it is mandated for public records to be available to the general population, there is no rule stating they must be free of charge. In certain cases, a service company may need funds in advance to pay the filing office where the search is performed. This is called a certified charge. A jurisdictional fee, sometimes known as a statutory fee, occurs when an expense is paid out of pocket by your service provider directly to a filing office.

Copy Costs

The service fee is the cost charged to finish the research necessary and write a report on the findings of your search. Depending on your situation, you might need to view copies of the items from the search.

All American Document Services has 30 years of syndicated service in legal due diligence, courthouse retrieval, title abstracts, and searches. Our robust national network of local experts, property researchers, and data professionals help to reduce costs, increase quality, and streamline results.

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