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.

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.

One more thing - when the loan is paid off, you should file a UCC-3 termination to release the lien. It's good practice and some states actually require it within a certain timeframe.

This has been such a helpful thread! As someone new to secured lending, I was getting overwhelmed by all the UCC terminology, but the explanations here really clarified things. The key takeaway for me is that the UCC financing statement is essentially your public claim ticket that establishes priority over other creditors. I'm definitely going to look into some of those document verification tools that were mentioned - sounds like the cost of getting it wrong far outweighs the cost of double-checking everything. Thanks everyone for breaking this down in practical terms rather than just legal jargon!

Wait I'm confused - are you trying to get a copy of your existing UCC-1 or are you trying to verify what's in the public records? Because if you have your original filing documents you shouldn't need to pay for copies just to do an amendment.

Have you considered reaching out to a UCC filing service company? I used one last year when I was in a similar situation with equipment collateral changes. They often have bulk access to state databases and can pull UCC search reports much cheaper than going through individual state offices. The service I used charged $25 for a comprehensive search that included all active filings under our business name. Plus they gave me a summary report that made it really easy to compare against our current inventory. Might be worth getting quotes from a few different services before paying that $90 fee.