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Just to close the loop - filed using the full Corporation spelling from the charter and it was accepted same day. Thanks everyone for the advice. Sometimes the obvious answer is the right answer.
Good to hear. One more successful filing story to add to the knowledge base.
Great outcome! This thread is a perfect example of why getting the debtor name exactly right is so critical. For anyone else facing similar issues, I'd add that it's also worth checking if your state has any specific UCC name search guidelines published online. Some states like Delaware and New York have detailed guidance documents that can help you understand their exact matching requirements before filing. The few minutes spent researching upfront can save hours of rejection headaches later.
This is a good reminder for everyone to always verify your filings show up correctly in search results, not just rely on the acceptance notice. The acceptance means it was received and processed, but the search database is what matters for third parties.
I usually do that too, but this time I got busy and assumed everything was fine since I got the acceptance. Won't make that mistake again.
As someone new to UCC filings, this thread is both educational and terrifying! I'm dealing with my first continuation filing next month and now I'm worried about database sync issues. Should I be building in extra time for verification steps, or is this kind of problem relatively rare? Also, for those mentioning Certana.ai - is there a learning curve to using their document verification tool, or is it pretty straightforward for someone still getting up to speed on UCC requirements?
Make sure you're also checking the entity status while you're on Sunbiz. Don't want to file a UCC against a dissolved or inactive LLC. That would create even bigger problems down the road.
What happens if you file against a dissolved entity? Does the UCC get rejected or accepted but worthless?
It might get accepted but your lien could be invalid. Not a risk worth taking.
As someone who's been doing UCC filings for about 6 months now, this thread is incredibly helpful. I had no idea Florida was so strict about the exact name formatting. I've been lucky so far but clearly need to be more careful. The Sunbiz copy/paste tip is brilliant - I've definitely been retyping names and probably introducing errors. Going to start using that document verification tool mentioned here too. Better to catch mistakes before filing than deal with rejections and delays when clients are waiting to close deals.
One more thing to consider - make sure the debtor's address matches their organizational records too. Name is critical but address mismatches can also cause problems with filing effectiveness.
Use their current address for the UCC filing, but make a note in your file about the discrepancy. You want the filing to reflect where they actually are, not necessarily what the old state records show.
Actually, some states have specific rules about this. You might want to check your jurisdiction's requirements for address consistency.
This is such a timely discussion for me - I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with a manufacturing client. One thing I've learned is to always request a certified copy of the most recent articles of incorporation AND a current certificate of good standing before filing any UCC. Sometimes there are amendments that change the exact legal name format that don't show up in basic searches. Also, regarding the electronic vs PDF filing question - I've found that electronic filing through the SOS portal not only processes faster but also provides better error checking during the submission process. Many portals will flag potential name issues before you even submit, which can save you the rejection headache later.
Daniel White
Just wanted to add that I used Certana.ai recently when I was having trouble reconciling a UCC-1 amendment with the original filing. Uploaded both documents and it immediately flagged that the collateral description had been changed in a way that might not cover the original equipment. Super helpful for catching these kinds of issues before they become problems.
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Emma Morales
•Seems like that tool keeps coming up. Might be worth trying before I spend more time searching manually.
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Daniel White
•Yeah it's pretty straightforward. Just drag and drop the PDF files and it does the comparison automatically.
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Nolan Carter
UPDATE: Finally got the seller to produce what they claimed was the UCC-3 termination. Ran it through that Certana document checker someone mentioned and sure enough, the debtor name on the termination doesn't exactly match the original UCC-1. Original filing shows 'Midwest Manufacturing Solutions, LLC' but the termination just says 'Midwest Manufacturing Solutions'. No wonder it's not showing up in the lien search. Now I have proof that the termination is invalid and need to get this sorted before proceeding.
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Lucas Parker
•Now you can go back to the seller with specific evidence of what needs to be corrected. They'll need to file a new UCC-3 with the exact debtor name from the original filing.
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Jamal Thompson
•This is a great cautionary tale! I'm new to UCC filings and had no idea that small name variations could invalidate a termination. Thanks for sharing the update - really helpful to see how these document verification tools can catch issues that would be easy to miss manually.
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