UCC Document Community

Just want to add one more tip that saved me a lot of headaches - before you submit your UCC filing, take a screenshot or print out everything you're about to file. Texas SOS will give you a confirmation after filing, but having your own record of exactly what you submitted can be really helpful if there are any questions later from your lender or if you need to file amendments. Also, the system will assign a file number once it's processed - make sure to give that number to your lender right away since they'll probably want it for their records. Good luck with getting this wrapped up!

As someone who just went through this process a few months ago, I can confirm everything others have said about Texas SOS being the right place to file. One thing that really helped me was calling the Texas SOS UCC division directly (they have a dedicated phone line) to verify my collateral description before I submitted. The staff there were surprisingly helpful and could tell me right away if my description would work or if it needed tweaking. Saved me from potential rejections and having to refile. Their number is on the SOS website under the UCC section. Also, since you mentioned time pressure, you might want to ask your lender if they can review your UCC draft before you file it - most experienced commercial lenders have seen enough of these to spot issues quickly. Better to catch problems before filing than deal with amendments later.

Quick question - does Florida require any specific format for the debtor address or is standard business address fine? Some states are picky about PO boxes vs street addresses.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's relatively new to UCC filings - this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm working on my first equipment financing deal in Florida and was completely lost on the process. The $20 fee seems very reasonable, and all the tips about debtor name matching and collateral descriptions are gold. One follow-up question - is there a good resource or guide for first-timers to walk through the Florida online filing process step by step? I want to make sure I don't miss anything important on my first go.

Bottom line - consignments under Article 9 require careful documentation and UCC filing by the consignor. Don't assume it's simpler than a secured transaction just because it's called a consignment. The perfection requirements are there for good reason.

Great discussion everyone! As someone who's worked on both sides of consignment arrangements, I'd emphasize that coordination between consignor and consignee is absolutely critical. The consignor's UCC-1 filing is essential, but Emma you're right to be concerned - you need to make sure your existing lender is properly notified about the consigned goods. I've seen situations where inadequate communication led to lenders inadvertently claiming consigned inventory during workout situations. Also consider including specific language in your consignment agreement about UCC filing responsibilities and deadlines to avoid any confusion about who does what when.

This conversation really highlights why having a solid understanding of UCC gap-filling is essential for commercial lending. One additional consideration for your $485K equipment deal - make sure you understand how your state handles the interaction between UCC default provisions and any conflicting state commercial law. Some states have specific statutes that override certain UCC gap-filling rules, particularly around notice timing and collection procedures. I'd recommend doing a quick state law check alongside reviewing those Article 9 enforcement sections that Sean mentioned. Also, given the size of this deal, it might be worth having your legal team review the security agreement template you're using to identify any other potential gaps before your next similar transaction.

Great thread on UCC gap-filling! One thing I'd add is that beyond the enforcement provisions everyone's mentioned, you should also consider how gap-filling works for priority disputes if other creditors are involved. UCC 9-322 provides default priority rules, but if your security agreement doesn't clearly define what constitutes "proceeds" or doesn't address commingling of collateral funds, you could end up relying on UCC default definitions that might not be as broad as you'd want. For equipment financing deals like yours, this becomes especially important if the borrower trades in the equipment or if insurance proceeds get involved. The UCC will fill these gaps, but the default rules around proceeds and priority can be complex and sometimes favor other creditors or the debtor more than a well-drafted agreement would.

Just wanted to chime in as another data point - filed a UCC-1 in NY about 3 weeks ago and can confirm it was $20. The online filing system is pretty straightforward once you navigate to the right section. One thing I'd add to what others have mentioned about name accuracy - also double-check that your business address matches exactly what's on your state registration. I almost made that mistake but caught it during review. The Secretary of State's search function is also useful for checking existing filings to see how similar businesses format their information. For your restaurant equipment, you should be good with the standard $20 fee as long as you only have one debtor entity.

I've been handling UCC filings in NY for several years and can confirm the $20 fee is still current for 2025. A few practical tips for your restaurant equipment filing: First, make sure you have your exact legal business name from your Articles of Incorporation or LLC formation documents - don't go by your DBA or trade name. Second, for the collateral description, keep it broad but relevant like "restaurant equipment, kitchen appliances, furniture and fixtures" rather than listing every individual item. Third, if you're unsure about any details, the NY Secretary of State UCC division is actually pretty helpful if you call them directly. They can clarify specific questions about your filing. Since you mentioned this is for $85K in equipment, your lender will probably want to see the filed UCC-1 before closing, so factor in the 1-2 business day processing time. Good luck with your equipment financing!