How do I check that my mortgage lien was released after payoff?

After the balance is paid, the release should appear in the official property record. The CFPB points borrowers to the local Secretary of State or county recorder of deeds for that check. You can also ask the company that processed the payoff whether the release was filed.

The lender should send back the original note. There may be a delay between the payoff and the recorded release. Recording and release practice varies by state, so this page does not give a state-by-state procedure or a required number of days.