Instructions for Requesting a 

Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien IRS

Section 6325(a) of the Internal Revenue Code directs us to release a Federal tax lien within 30 days of when the 

liability is fully paid or becomes legally unenforceable, or the IRS accepts a bond for payment of the liability. When 

all the liabilities shown on the Notice of Federal Tax Lien are satisfied, we will issue a Certificate of Release of 

Federal Tax Lien for filing in the same recording office where the notice of lien was filed. 

Requesting a Payoff 

If you have not satisfied your liability, you can get the balance due your tax debt through one of the following: 

• Contacting the office assigned your account, if known 

• Visiting the “View Your Account” page on IRS.gov (http://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account) 

• Requesting a payoff amount through the Centralized Lien Operation, as shown below 

Requesting a Copy of the Certificate 

When a Certificate of Release is mailed to the recording office, a copy of the certificate will be mailed to your last 

known address. If you have not received a copy of the Certificate of Release after 30 days from satisfying your tax 

liability, you can check the status of the certificate by writing, faxing, or calling the Centralized Lien Operation: 

Internal Revenue Service Telephone Number: 800-913-6050 

Centralized Lien Operation Outside the United States: 859-320-3526 

P.O. Box 145595, Stop 8420G Fax number: 855-753-8177 

Cincinnati, OH 45250-5595 

The copy of the certificate you receive will not show the official recording information. For a copy of the recorded 

certificate, you must contact the recording office where the Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien was filed. 

Requesting a Certificate of Release 

If the federal tax lien has not been released within 30 days of satisfying your tax liability, you can request a 

Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien. The request must be in writing and should be mailed to the Collection 

Advisory Group servicing your area. See Publication 4235, Collection Advisory Group Addresses, to determine 

the address to mail your request. 

Your request must contain the following information: 

• The date of your request 

• The name and address of the taxpayer 

• A telephone number with the best time for us to call you should we need additional information 

• A copy of each Notice of Federal Tax Lien you want released 

• An explanation why the lien should be released 

• If applicable, a copy of the canceled check or other proof of payment 

We may need to research your account. We will provide a certificate of release once we have confirmed your 

liability is satisfied. 

If you have an immediate or urgent need for a Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien, you can visit or 

telephone the local IRS office. A list of local offices, their available services, and their hours of operation may be 

found on IRS.gov by searching “Local Contacts.” When visiting the IRS office, be prepared to show proof of 

payment or other documentation that demonstrates your liability has been satisfied. 

Should there be an unpaid balance on your liability, you must pay the balance with guaranteed funds for the 

Certificate of Release to be immediately issued. Guaranteed funds include a certified check, cashier’s check, 

official bank check, or an acceptable money order (such as a postal or bank money order). For other forms of 

payment, the certificate of release will be issued within 30 days of the liability being satisfied. 

Additional Information 

You can find other information about the Federal tax liens on IRS.gov by searching “liens.” 

For questions about a specific Notice of Federal Tax Lien, contact the Centralized Lien Operation or Collection 

Advisory Group as directed above. 

 

Publication 1450 (Rev. 7-2018) Catalog Number 10665H Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov