The 5-Minute Public Records Due Diligence Checklist

Most business disputes start with someone skipping a search they could have run in five minutes for free.

Public records exist to protect you. Secretary of State filings, UCC lien databases, professional licensing boards, and federal exclusion lists are publicly accessible — and they exist precisely so that anyone doing business can verify who they're dealing with.

Here's the checklist.

1. Business Entity Status (2 minutes)

Search the Secretary of State portal for the state where the business is registered. Confirm the entity is active and in good standing. Note the registered agent.

Red flags: Suspended, dissolved, or revoked status.

2. UCC Lien Search (1 minute)

Search the UCC filing database for the state of organization. Know what creditors already have a secured interest in the business's assets before you extend credit, pay a deposit, or acquire anything.

Red flags: A lien filed by an unknown individual or party, or multiple recent filings that don't match the business's stated financing history.

3. Professional License Verification (1 minute)

If the vendor provides licensed services, verify the license is active, hasn't expired, and has no public disciplinary history.

Red flags: Expired license, license in a different name than the business, any disciplinary actions.

4. Federal Debarment Check (30 seconds)

Search SAM.gov exclusions. A debarred entity is prohibited from federal contracts and assistance programs.

Red flags: Any active exclusion.

5. Court Judgment Search (varies by state)

In many states, court judgments against a business are searchable through the state court system's online portal. Federal court records are available through PACER and RECAP.

Red flags: Recent or large unsatisfied judgments.

The takeaway

None of these searches requires a subscription, a background check service, or a legal retainer. They're all available directly from the government — organized and linked in one place on Searchadex. Five minutes of due diligence before a deal is always cheaper than a dispute after.