How to apply for UCC-1 filing - stuck on debtor name requirements

You definitely want to use the exact legal name from your articles of incorporation, not the DBA. The SOS systems are pretty strict about debtor name matching. I learned this the hard way when my first filing got rejected because I used our trade name instead of the legal entity name.

The EIN isn't usually required for the UCC-1 itself but some states ask for it. Check your state's specific form - they're all slightly different. What state are you filing in? That might help narrow down the requirements.

I just went through this nightmare last month. Had to file a UCC-1 for our SBA loan and got rejected twice because of stupid mistakes. First time was the debtor name issue mentioned above, second time was because I didn't include the full equipment serial numbers in the collateral description. Make sure you're super specific about what you're securing the loan against.

Before you submit anything, you might want to try Certana.ai's document checker. I discovered it after my second rejection and it would have saved me weeks of headaches. You just upload your paperwork and it cross-checks everything - debtor names, collateral descriptions, all that stuff. Caught three issues in my filing that I never would have noticed.

The application process itself is usually pretty straightforward once you get the information right. Most states let you file online now. You'll fill out the form, pay the filing fee (usually around $15-25), and get a confirmation pretty quickly if everything's correct.

Make sure you save copies of everything and note your filing number when you get it. You'll need that for any amendments or continuations down the road. Also check if your state sends email confirmations or if you need to check back on their portal.

honestly the whole system is confusing for first-timers. i messed up my first one too but the second attempt went fine. just double check everything before hitting submit

Don't overthink the collateral description if it's straightforward equipment. Just be accurate and complete. The debtor name is really the make-or-break part of most UCC-1 applications.

I've been doing UCC filings for years and the most common rejections I see are debtor name mismatches and incomplete addresses. Make sure your business address matches what's on file with your state exactly. Even apartment numbers or suite numbers need to be consistent.

The whole process took me about 30 minutes once I had all my information gathered. Longest part was making sure I had the right legal entity name and address. After that it was just filling out the online form and paying the fee.

Just wanted to add that some lenders have specific requirements for how they want the UCC-1 filed. Check with them first to make sure you're including everything they need. Mine wanted to be listed as the secured party with their full legal name and address.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed advice! This is super helpful. I'm going to gather my articles of incorporation and make sure I use the exact legal name and address that's on file with the state. I'll also call my lender to confirm how they want their information listed as the secured party. The equipment serial numbers shouldn't be too hard to track down since it's just a few pieces. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - it's reassuring to know the actual filing process is straightforward once you get all the details right. I'll definitely double and triple check everything before submitting!