UCC Document Community

Don't stress too much about this - it's actually pretty common when you've had business financing. Here's what I'd recommend: First, do a quick search on Florida's UCC database (it's free online) using your business name and any variations to see what actually shows up. Second, if you still have your loan termination letters, compare the filing numbers - they should match if everything was properly terminated. The fact that someone is doing UCC research on your old business could actually be routine due diligence, especially if you're applying for credit elsewhere or if there's any business activity associated with your name. The key thing is to verify whether there are any active liens still showing in the system that should have been terminated when you paid off your equipment loans.

I went through something very similar last year when I got a UCC request form from Texas even though my business was based in Colorado. Turned out my equipment leasing company had filed in multiple states because some of my trucks crossed state lines regularly. The good news is that getting this form doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem - it just means someone is doing their homework on UCC filings associated with your business name. I'd suggest taking a two-pronged approach: first, search Florida's UCC database online (it's free) to see what's actually on file, and second, contact your old lender to confirm they filed proper UCC-3 termination statements in all relevant states. Sometimes lenders only terminate in their home state and miss filings in other jurisdictions. The slight name variation you mentioned is actually a red flag though - make sure to search under multiple versions of your business name to get the complete picture.

Update us when you get it filed! I'm curious if the comma issue ends up being a problem or not. Indiana's system is so inconsistent sometimes.

I've been doing UCC filings in Indiana for about 8 years now and can definitely confirm the name matching issues everyone's mentioning. The comma situation is real - I had a similar case last year where "Tech Solutions LLC" vs "Tech Solutions, LLC" caused a rejection. One thing I'd add is to also double-check the registered agent information if you're including it. Indiana's database sometimes has outdated agent info that can cause additional complications. Also, since you mentioned this is equipment financing, make sure your collateral description is specific enough but not overly detailed - Indiana likes clear, concise descriptions. For the portal timeouts, I've found using Chrome in incognito mode sometimes helps with their system quirks. And definitely save your work frequently if they have a draft feature. That $275K deal deserves extra caution!

Pro tip for anyone doing SBA loans: ask your bank if they have a dedicated SBA UCC specialist. The good SBA lenders usually have someone who only handles the secured transaction paperwork for SBA deals. Makes the whole process much smoother.

Just went through this exact situation 6 months ago with our SBA 7(a) loan. The key thing that saved us was demanding to see the actual UCC-1 draft before they filed it. Our bank kept saying "we'll handle everything" but when I finally saw their draft, the collateral description was completely wrong - they had generic language like "all equipment" instead of the specific item-by-item breakdown SBA requires. Once we caught that, we provided a detailed equipment schedule with serial numbers, model numbers, and purchase dates for everything over $1,000. The filing went through clean after that. Don't let them rush the UCC filing - better to delay a few days and get it right than deal with rejections and amendments later.

Real world example: had a secured party try to enforce against collateral that was subject to a pre-existing service contract with automatic renewal clauses. UCC didn't address this specific situation, so we had to analyze under general contract law via 1-103. Service contract ultimately had priority over security interest.

Bottom line: 1-103 is about making sure the UCC plays nicely with other areas of law. For your equipment financing, just make sure your security agreement is solid under general contract principles and watch for any industry-specific regulations that might apply to your collateral.

For what it's worth, Rhode Island's UCC system is more reliable than some states I've dealt with. At least when it works, the information is generally accurate and up-to-date. Just be patient with the search interface and double-check your debtor name spellings.

Based on everyone's feedback here, it sounds like Rhode Island UCC searches require extra diligence compared to other states. A few additional tips from my experience: 1) If you're having trouble finding the search function, try looking under "UCC Records" or "Financing Statements" in addition to the terms others mentioned. 2) Consider doing your searches during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) to avoid system slowdowns. 3) For acquisition due diligence, I always recommend getting a professional UCC search service for the final verification, especially given all the potential pitfalls mentioned here with name variations, amendments, and fixture issues. The peace of mind is worth the cost when you're dealing with a significant transaction.