How to get a title search done directly with the FAA

Im looking at buying a Piper Archer 2 1980 model .
Is there a way to directly search the title with FAA or do we have to go via the Title search companies ?

 

You can do it yourself or you can have a title search company do it for you. If you miss something in the records that could cost you a lot of money and problems down the road, If a title search company miss something you have someone to hold responsible. Your choice do it yourself of spend a little for a professional search or do it yourself and hope for the best.

 

I have heard many good things from many pilots who used https://www.aerospacereports.com/

Including their title search and escrow services.

 

Any Lien that would stop the title transfer would be on the aircraft's history records (CD) State county no, but it is the sellers responsibility to pay those.

 

Why not buy title insurence? Quick and inexpensive.

 

ASR is the AOPA-recommended title co; I am using them. <$100

 

You can order the CD from the FAA at http://aircraft.faa.gov/e.gov/ND/. I guess you can review it yourself, if you understand what all those documents say and mean and crosscheck that for every document that creates a lien, there is another document releasing it. And that there are no other title discontinuities.

Me, I know what they are and what they say (I even wrote some of them). But I'd pay the $100 or so to have the guys who do this all the time check the "live" data and confirm the title was still clear when title and money changed hands,

YMMV.

 

The big gotcha is, the FAA is so slow in updating the history files, a very resent lien will not show.

 

That's definitely going to be the case with the CD. I've heard but can't confirm the title companies have access to more current records.

 

As mentioned above, better to use a title company. I've used the AOPA services and several companies located in Oak City to good success.

 

The CD has helped me on more than one occasion. And is way less expensive than a title company. $10 vs. $100+.
There were unsatisfied liens on 2 aircraft, a quick call to the lienholder found that on one, the lien was indeed 10 years old, and still in force. I got a "thank you" from them and in a few days I got a letter from them stating the satisfaction of the lien.
Airplane #2 had a lien and a bit of "google fu" was required to find the lienholder, I found that the lien was written off, after the demise of the debtor.

 

I relied on the FAA CD on the purchase of a glider years ago. I found a very old lien not properly released, even though the glider had changed hands with another lien that did have a release.

Then I learned the original lien holder, bank, had also changed hands a few times. I called the bank, explained the issue, sent them the papers on what I had and instructions on how to properly release the lien, and advised they needed to file the original directly to FAA, send me a copy.

Two weeks later I confirmed with FAA the proper paperwork was filed and proceeded with the purchase.

 

I used aerospace reports, just last week, put in the information and paid on a Friday, had the results first thing Monday morning. No sweat.

 

+1 for Aerospace Reports. Very quick and professional. IIRC, about $80 for my search on a recent aircraft purchase. They found a $15k lien on the aircraft. The seller used Aerospace to clear the lien; the debt had been paid but the lien was never released. It cost him $250 or so, I think, for legwork/paperwork to do this. They provided me a clean title search afterward.

 

Aero-Space Reports. Did it in hours for me today!

 

How long does a title search take? I have a different situation where I am inheriting a plane, I have been told the plane is clear of probate, but still have not received title. I was told it was due to a complete title search needs to be done. Feels like it is taking forever.

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You must make application for registration, The FAA will not send you any paper saying you own the aircraft.
I'd call the FAA registration desk, and see what they need from you to make the transfer of ownership.

 

When any thing clears probate, all liens and encumberments are settled. why do a double take on this?

 

Since it appears you are not the person handling the estate, I would give the Registration Branch a call in Oak City and ask about the documents needed to re-register in your name. Then discuss those requirements with whoever is handling the estate. Also, you should do a quick search on the registration database to see if the current N number is still active. If not, this could add another layer to the mix. And don't forget when you do work out registration issues, some States will be looking for their taxes on that transfer.

 

Plane is still active insured and in use by me. It was my father's plane and it has already been cleared from a tax perspective. Just unclear why I have not been given the go ahead to transfer title. Thinking I should do a little legwork myself to speed things up.

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Not all states are probate states, but those that are ensure all liens are cleared, (that is what probate courts do) Considering he stated that it was out of probate, I made the obvious conclusion.

 

For the longer story,
I really had my chit together and emailed pertinent documents to them Tue which this week followed the holiday Monday.
(I had inspected airplane on Fri pm, so could not start any of this til next business opening.)
I felt like the seller was a bit antsy as after I set up a visit he had other calls, perhaps better ones so I noted to Aero-Space Reports my concern about speed.
They had the title searched and all the documents ready to sign that day (yesterday) and today, a document to approve release of funds from escrow and the temp a/c registration form to me by noon!
Lots of useful comm all the way along and zippy answers to my silly questions.

I could NOT be happier than I am with the way they helped me.
From 9:00am Tue til 12:00 on Wed, that must be a record. Somewhere around 12 biz hours.
Very fair price.