The Mechanic's Lien lwas in almost every state are designed to protect the sub-contractors and screw the homeowner! Another example of ignorant legislators! 

What Gabe Sanders said about Florida.   You can visit the particular county Clerk of the Court website.   To be certain, have a Title company or title company do the search for you.

I'm not sure what a "registry" is but as Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA answered there is a procedure for filing mechanics liens in California.  It protects contractors as well as a potential buyer as the lien will show up on the preliminary title report should the property be on the market for sale.   

Seana Johnson Gabe Sanders has a good answer.

We have something where the contractors can file a lien to get paid.  Not too familiar with it as that's not my area.

NC is like Florida, as Gabe Sanders said - this is documented at the court house and is public record.  It protects the buyers and the contractors as well. 

I am certain all mechanic's lien is added to the title when in dispute. 

I have never heard of this. A title search should identify any mechanic's liens.

We have the ROC - but not aware of anything that "manages" mechanic's liens

Sometimes title is able to dig them out.They have to be paid, no way around it. 

The title companies deal with this.

Whether or not a state does this, it might not be up to date when the property settles.  It needs to be dealt with in the contract.

As Wayne Martin wrote. MLs are designed to protect contractors, not homeowners.

It helps the contractor get paid and helps make sure the title will be warrantable for the lender.

Seana Johnson - they somehow are for the contractors only. I remember a case where contractor did not complete the work, a homeowner did not pay in full - and when I was trying to sell the home, we see this! Not a good idea for the homeowners for sure.

Yes, we have things in place.

 No I am not aware of any ...

It is public record.

ahhh, mechanics liens only benefit the contractor. We don't have anything like this in IL.

Blog about what you have in your state.

The Construction Contractor's Board for the state of Oregon requires that contractors be licensed and any complaints against them are registered here for the public to view. Mechanic's liens are recorded on an individual property and are available to view via a search at the county records department, but there is no state wide registry for these.  

We don't and I don't think we need another state department to manage them.

This is how it works in Florida.

You need a fully updated kitchen. They'll do it for $37,000. GREAT!

The contractor takes your money and in comes the demolition and haul away company. Then repositioning the plumber by the plumber. The electrician, The flooring, lighting, cabinetry, all done by sub-contractors.

The contractor gets in the truck and heads back to Wisconsin, with all the money. The sub-contractors, not being paid, CAN compel the homeowner to pay AGAIN for the work that they have paid for already.

Moral to the story in FLORIDA: 

1. No subcontractors
2. Pay on completion only.
3. Compel subs to sign "Paid in Full' receipt before commencement.