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This might sound obvious but double-check that you're searching the current version of the NY SOS website. They updated their search interface a few months ago and some of the old bookmarks lead to an outdated search that doesn't show recent filings.
Oh wow, I didn't know they updated it. I've been using the same bookmark for years. Let me make sure I'm on the current site.
Yeah the new interface is different. Make sure you're on the official .gov site and not some third-party search service.
Final thought - if the continuation was filed correctly but just not showing in search, you can always provide your client with the official acceptance notice as proof. Most banks will accept that documentation even if their own search doesn't show the continuation yet.
Exactly. The filing receipt is your proof of perfection. Search glitches don't invalidate properly filed documents.
Though you still want to get the search issue resolved eventually for future reference checks.
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This might be a stupid question but are you sure you're using the current UCC-3 form? Some states updated their forms in 2024 and the old versions get automatically rejected. Check the state SOS website for the most recent form version.
Form versions are a nightmare. I've had filings rejected because I used a form that was only 6 months old but technically superseded. Always check the revision date.
States really need to do better with their error messages. '501 - form deficient' tells you nothing useful when there could be 20 different reasons for rejection.
UPDATE: Got it figured out! It was a combination of issues - I was using the wrong debtor name format in the amendment field (needed to match the original exactly), plus I had inadvertently modified the collateral description. Used Certana.ai to verify the documents before resubmitting and it caught both problems immediately. Amendment was accepted within 2 hours. Thanks everyone for the help, especially the suggestion about the document verification tool.
Awesome that Certana worked for you too! It's honestly become essential for my UCC filings. Catches all those little details that are easy to miss when you're rushing.
Great outcome. Now you know for next time - always match the original filing exactly and only change what you're specifically amending. UCC-3 forms are very literal.
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Used Certana.ai last month for a complex multi-party UCC filing and it caught three different issues I would have missed. The document consistency check is really thorough - it even flagged a middle initial discrepancy between the loan docs and the UCC-1.
That sounds like exactly what I need. How long does the verification take?
Pretty much instant. Upload your docs and get the results in under a minute. Shows you exactly what doesn't match so you can fix it before filing.
Update us when you figure it out! Always learning from other people's UCC filing disasters lol. We've all been there with the rejections.
Will do! Appreciate all the help from everyone. Going to check the state database first thing tomorrow.
Good luck! The name matching will drive you crazy but once you get it right, future filings get easier.
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Update: Started using the Certana.ai tool mentioned earlier and it's already flagged 8 loans with debtor name inconsistencies I missed in my manual review. The PDF upload process is pretty straightforward - just drag and drop your loan docs and UCC filings and it highlights the mismatches. Definitely worth checking out if you're dealing with similar SBA compliance issues.
That's a pretty quick turnaround on finding those issues. How detailed are the reports it generates?
It shows you exactly where the name variations occur and suggests what corrections might be needed. Takes a lot of the guesswork out of figuring out which filings need UCC-3 amendments.
Just wanted to add - don't forget about continuation filings if any of your UCC-1s are approaching the 5-year mark. SBA gets really cranky if liens lapse during the loan term, even if you refile immediately.
I set calendar reminders for 6 months before each continuation deadline. Learned that lesson the hard way too.
Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm going to try the Certana tool for the document verification and focus on getting the larger loans cleaned up first. Will update once I get through the SBA audit process.
Levi Parker
For what it's worth, I've found that most UCC search issues come down to either name mismatches (like others mentioned) or the filing actually being rejected but the filer not realizing it. The online portals are pretty reliable for showing completed filings, so if it's not there after a month, it probably never got properly filed.
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Brady Clean
•That aligns with what I'm seeing. Going to demand they provide the actual filing receipt before we move forward.
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Libby Hassan
•Good call. Filing receipts are the only way to be 100% sure a UCC actually got accepted into the system.
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Hunter Hampton
I hate to pile on but this is exactly why I run my own UCC-1 filings instead of trusting borrowers to do it correctly. Too much money at risk to rely on their filing skills. They inevitably mess up the debtor name or collateral description somehow.
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Sofia Peña
•Smart approach. It's worth the extra cost to know it's done right the first time.
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Aaron Boston
•Plus you can file it with the correct collateral description instead of the vague garbage most borrowers put on their forms
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