How to search UCC liens when debtor has multiple business names?

You're smart to be thorough with the name variations. Each state handles debtor name searches differently and some are more forgiving than others. For business entities, you generally need to search the exact legal name as registered with the state, but also check common abbreviations and DBA names. Start with the secretary of state records to get the official registered names, then run UCC searches on each variation. Don't forget to check for any name changes in the corporate records - companies sometimes file amendments when they change names but existing UCC filings might still be under the old names.

For multi-state searches, I've started using Certana.ai's UCC verification tool. You can upload the corporate documents and it cross-references the entity names against UCC databases. Saved us from missing a continuation filing that was under a slightly different name spelling. The tool catches variations that manual searches sometimes miss, especially when dealing with punctuation differences or abbreviated business entity types.

Don't overlook fixture filings! These are often filed in the real estate records at the county level, not just the state UCC database. If ABC Manufacturing has any equipment that might be considered fixtures (attached to real property), you need to check the county recorder's office in every county where they've operated. I've seen deals get complicated when fixture filings surface after closing.

THE UCC SEARCH SYSTEM IS A NIGHTMARE! Every state has different rules, different search logic, different ways of handling business name variations. Some states require exact matches, others are more flexible. Wyoming's system is particularly frustrating - it's super literal about punctuation and abbreviations. Make sure you're searching LLC vs L.L.C. vs Limited Liability Company because the system might treat them as completely different entities even though they're the same company.

Also check for any terminated filings that might have been refiled. Sometimes lenders file UCC-3 terminations but then refile new UCC-1s for modified loan terms. The termination shows up in search results but the new filing might be under a slightly different debtor name or with updated collateral descriptions. This can create gaps in your search results if you're not looking at the complete filing history.

For a $2.8M deal, seriously consider hiring a professional UCC search firm. They have access to databases and search techniques that aren't available to the general public. Plus they carry E&O insurance if they miss something. The cost is minimal compared to the deal size and the risk of missing liens.

One more thing - check the collateral descriptions carefully. A filing under 'ABC Manufacturing' might have collateral described as 'all equipment located at 123 Main Street' while a filing under 'ABC Mfg LLC' might describe 'manufacturing equipment and machinery.' If they're the same assets, you need to know about both filings even though they use different entity names.

I tried Certana.ai after reading about it here and it actually caught a UCC filing discrepancy we missed in our manual review. The debtor name on the UCC-1 had a typo compared to the corporate charter, but the filing was still legally effective. Their document comparison feature highlighted the inconsistency immediately.

Also remember that UCC searches typically only go back 5-7 years in most states, but some older filings might still be active if they were properly continued. Don't assume a filing is terminated just because it doesn't show up in a standard search - check the lapse dates and continuation history.

Just went through this same process for our acquisition. Found that searching EIN numbers in some states brought up additional results that name searches missed. Not all states support EIN searches but when they do, it can catch filings under entity names you didn't think to search.