UCC Document Community

I actually had success using one of those document comparison tools when I was dealing with UCC 10 104 rejections. There was a service called Certana.ai that let me upload both documents and it highlighted the exact differences. Turned out there was an extra space character that I couldn't see just by reading through the names. Saved me probably another week of back-and-forth with the filing office.

Update: Finally got it figured out! There was indeed a spacing issue - the original had "ABC Manufacturing Solutions LLC" with TWO spaces before LLC, but I was only using one space. Completely invisible when just reading through it but the system caught it every time. Thanks everyone for the suggestions, especially about the document comparison tools. Got the UCC 10 104 continuation accepted this morning!

Remember that UCC-1 filings are only effective for 5 years. You'll need to file a UCC-3 continuation statement before it lapses if the loan term is longer than 5 years. Mark your calendar now so you don't forget.

Great question about UCC filings! For Illinois, you'll definitely file with the Illinois Secretary of State since that's where your debtor is likely organized. The key thing to remember is that the filing location depends on where the debtor is organized (incorporated/formed), not where the collateral is located. For your equipment and fixtures situation, you might need dual filings - regular UCC-1 for equipment with the Secretary of State, and potentially a fixture filing with the county recorder if any equipment is permanently attached to real property. I'd recommend getting clarity on whether your collateral truly includes fixtures or just equipment that happens to be located in a building. Illinois does have electronic filing which is much faster than paper - usually processes same day. One copy is sufficient for electronic filing. Make sure your debtor name matches their organizational documents exactly, even punctuation matters!

Update us on how it goes! Always helpful to hear about successful addendum filings for future reference.

Pro tip from someone who's been there - when you're dealing with equipment financing collateral descriptions, consider organizing your addendum by equipment type or location if that makes sense. So all manufacturing equipment in one section, inventory in another, etc. Makes it easier to read and reduces the chance of duplication or omission. Also, if you have equipment that might be moved between locations, make sure your description accounts for that possibility. For an $850K deal, you definitely want to be thorough but also organized in your approach.

As a newcomer to UCC filings, this thread has been incredibly informative and reassuring! @Jayden Hill, your initial reaction is completely understandable - I would have been just as worried receiving official paperwork out of nowhere. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it's clear that your 6-month equipment financing timeline makes this almost certainly legitimate. What really stands out to me is how this community has organically developed such a comprehensive verification process: calling Texas SOS directly, using their search portal, and cross-referencing with your lender. I had no idea UCC filings were standard practice for equipment loans until reading this discussion - it really highlights how much we don't know about the administrative side of business financing beyond just rates and payments. I'm definitely saving this entire thread as a reference guide for when I eventually get business financing. It's amazing how something that initially seems so threatening turns out to be routine business administration that actually protects both parties. Thanks to everyone for turning what could have been an isolating, scary experience into such a valuable learning resource for those of us still figuring out the complexities of business documentation!

As a newcomer to UCC filings, this thread has been absolutely enlightening! @Jayden Hill, your experience perfectly captures that moment of panic many of us would feel receiving unexpected official paperwork. The 6-month timeline with your equipment financing makes this almost certainly legitimate - it's exactly when lenders typically file UCC-1 statements to secure their interest in financed equipment. What I find most valuable about this discussion is how the community has developed such a clear verification roadmap: call Texas SOS directly using their official number, search their UCC portal for your business name, and confirm details with your equipment lender. I had no idea these filings were standard practice until reading everyone's experiences here - it really shows how much we don't understand about the administrative side of business loans beyond just interest rates and payment terms. I'm definitely bookmarking this entire thread as a reference guide for future use. It's incredible how something that initially appears so intimidating is actually just routine business administration designed to protect both borrowers and lenders. Thanks to everyone for transforming what could have been a frightening situation into such a comprehensive learning resource!

Bottom line - yes, you'll likely need separate UCC filings for your security agreement vs stock pledge agreement scenario. The business assets get filed under a UCC-1 naming the LLC as debtor, and the membership interests get filed under UCC-1s naming the individual members as debtors. Keep the collateral descriptions specific and make sure all names/addresses match exactly between your agreements and filings.

I work with SBA deals regularly and can confirm you'll need separate UCC-1 filings. For the LLC membership interests, make sure you're filing in the state where each member is located (not necessarily where the LLC is formed). Also, since the SBA is involved, they'll want to see that your pledge agreements specifically reference the SBA loan number and include language about their rights as guaranteed lender. I'd recommend having your documents reviewed by someone experienced with SBA secured lending requirements before filing - the documentation has to be perfect or they'll kick it back.