A payoff request allows a third party to receive the current balance due to release a lien or facilitate a business transfer (bulk sale transfer or liquor license). To release a lien or facilitate a bulk sale transfer, businesses must be in good standing to receive a payoff request.
To ensure a proper payoff, sellers or closing agents must contact the lien holder or their attorney for an official payoff statement. This statement outlines the final payoff amount and includes details on principal balances, accrued interest, attorney's fees, and administrative costs.
(c) A beneficiary, or his or her authorized agent, shall, on the written demand of an entitled person, or his or her authorized agent, prepare and deliver a payoff demand statement to the person demanding it within 21 days of the receipt of the demand.
Under federal law, the servicer must generally send you a payoff statement within seven business days of your request, subject to a few exceptions. (12 C.F.R. § 1026.36.)
You may request a copy of a lien filed by another entity by visiting the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (Recorder) website or calling the Recorder at (800) 201-8999.
A lien expires 10 years from the date of recording or filing, unless we extend it. If we extend the lien, we will send a new Notice of State Tax Lien and record or file it with the county recorder or California Secretary of State. We will not release expired liens.