How to file a UCC-1 in Massachusetts - debtor name requirements?

This is so important! I had a client whose filing was rejected because I used "Inc" instead of "Incorporated" - Massachusetts doesn't mess around with name variations.

Wait, so if the company does business under multiple names, I still only use the legal name? That seems like it could cause issues down the road.

Thank you! I was worried about using the wrong address. Is there a way to verify the exact legal name and registered address online?

Yes, you can search the Massachusetts Corporations Division database to confirm the exact entity information. It's free and shows the current registered details.

That sounds really helpful! Do you upload the Articles of Organization and the UCC-1 draft?

Exactly - it cross-checks the debtor name fields automatically. Much better than trying to manually compare documents and missing subtle differences.

I've heard about these verification tools but never tried one. Does it catch other issues besides name mismatches?

Good tip! About how long does the form take to complete?

Maybe 10-15 minutes if you have everything organized. The collateral description section can take longer if you're being detailed.

I feel your pain! I always prepare everything in a Word doc first, then copy/paste into the portal. Learned that lesson the hard way too.

Smart approach. I'm definitely doing that next time. Lost a whole afternoon because of their terrible session management.

How do I check if there have been amendments? Is that in the same database search?

Yes, the Massachusetts Corporations Division search will show any amendments or name changes. Look for the most recent filing date.

This is exactly why I always pull a fresh entity search right before filing. Names change more often than people realize.

That's encouraging! Did you use the registered address or business address?

I used the registered address from the Articles of Organization to be safe. Better to be overly cautious with these filings.

Massachusetts follows the standard UCC Article 9 rules - you can use broad descriptions like 'all personal property' or be more specific. Depends on your security agreement.

Thanks! I was worried they had special state requirements like some other jurisdictions.

It's $40 for electronic filings. They accept credit cards through the online portal.

Perfect, thank you! Much easier than the old paper filing days.

I'm definitely going to try that verification tool. Better safe than sorry with these filings!

Smart choice. The few minutes it takes to verify can save you from rejection headaches later.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about getting this right now.

That's such a valuable point! I never thought to check corporate standing status before filing. Does Massachusetts require the entity to be in good standing for the UCC-1 to be accepted, or is it more about avoiding complications later?

Great question! Massachusetts will still accept the UCC-1 filing even if the debtor entity isn't in good standing, but you're absolutely right about avoiding complications later. If the entity is suspended or revoked, it can create issues with perfection and priority that might not surface until you need to enforce the security interest. Plus, some lenders have policies requiring good standing status before they'll approve the transaction. It's definitely worth flagging to your client if you discover any status issues during your search.

Welcome to Massachusetts UCC filings! The 24-hour turnaround is pretty much standard - I haven't seen expedited options available through their system. For multiple debtors, you'll need to include each entity's exact legal name and registered address in separate debtor fields. Massachusetts is just as strict about accuracy for each debtor entity, so make sure you verify all of them through the Corporations Division database. The verification tools mentioned earlier become even more valuable when you're dealing with multiple entities since there's more room for error.