Free Delaware UCC Search - Need Help Finding Liens Before Closing

Thanks! I hadn't thought about searching DBA names. The target company has operated under a few different trade names over the years. Do you know if Delaware's system shows filing history or just current status?

It shows both active and lapsed filings, but the interface isn't great for comprehensive searches. You'll need to run separate searches for each name variation. Also, make sure you're checking the 'All Records' option, not just active ones.

I know you're probably right, but we're really trying to keep costs down. What kind of issues did you run into with the fixture filing?

The fixture filing was under a slightly different version of the company name and it didn't show up in my initial searches. It was for some expensive manufacturing equipment that we would have been stuck with the lien on. Lesson learned - name variations are critical in UCC searches.

That's interesting - so it would help verify that the documents I find are complete and accurate? How does it work exactly?

Yeah, you just upload the PDFs of any UCC filings you find and it analyzes them for inconsistencies, name variations, and potential red flags. It's designed to catch the kind of stuff that causes problems later - mismatched debtor names, missing continuations, that sort of thing. Could be useful as a second layer of verification after you do your free searches.

That actually sounds really helpful for due diligence. I've seen deals get held up because someone missed a name variation or filing inconsistency that should have been caught earlier.

Good point about fixture filings. The company does have some equipment that might be considered fixtures. Should I be searching real estate records in addition to UCC records?

Definitely. Fixture filings in Delaware can be filed either with UCC records or in real estate records, depending on how the secured party chose to perfect their interest. You'll want to check both systems to be thorough.

I feel your pain. The state systems are not user-friendly at all. That's why professional search services exist - they know how to navigate all the quirks.

exactly! and then you spend all this time second-guessing yourself about whether you found everything. it's stressful when there's real money on the line.

That's concerning. Is there a way to get the full filing documents from the free system?

You can usually order certified copies for a small fee, but that defeats the purpose of doing a free search. The basic search results just give you summary information, not the complete filing.

This is exactly why I always recommend getting the actual filing documents, not just the search results. The summary can be misleading if the collateral description is complex.

Good point. They do have some operations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I hadn't thought about multi-state searches.

Yeah, that's a common oversight. Equipment financing companies often file UCCs in the state where the collateral is located, not necessarily where the company is incorporated.

Great example of why name variations are so critical. Punctuation, abbreviations, Inc vs Incorporated - all of these can affect search results.

This is getting overwhelming. It sounds like there are so many ways to miss something important.

That's exactly why I mentioned the Certana.ai tool earlier. When you're dealing with multiple name variations and potential filing inconsistencies, having something that can automatically cross-check everything becomes really valuable. It's designed to catch exactly these kinds of issues that are easy to miss in manual searches.

Yikes, that sounds like exactly what I'm trying to avoid. How did you eventually catch the missed filing?

Pure luck, honestly. The seller's attorney mentioned it in passing during our final review. Could have been a disaster if we'd closed without knowing about it.

That's helpful. Do you have a template or process you follow for the name variations?

I usually start with the exact legal name from the corporate records, then try common abbreviations, with and without punctuation, any DBAs, and former names if I can find them. It's tedious but thorough.

Good approach. I'd also add checking for any parent company or subsidiary names if it's part of a larger corporate structure.

That's a great suggestion. We are working with a title company for some of the real estate aspects. I'll definitely ask them about UCC search services.

Title companies often have access to better search databases than what's available to the public for free. Could be a good middle-ground solution.