In NJ it is the law that a tax search has to be ordered, and there are companies in NJ who do only tax searches.

We get taxes for clients by calling the tax collector's, however we also put a disclaimer as well, because I hate to say this, in some places in NJ the people in the tax office sound like they can't read let alone speak English.

You should find out if there is such a law in your state, that your client should be ordering a tax search. If that is the case I do not see how they can hold you liable.