Need help interpreting ohio revised code ucc debtor name requirements for fixture filing
I'm working on a fixture filing for commercial kitchen equipment in Columbus and getting confused by the Ohio Revised Code UCC provisions about debtor name requirements. The equipment lease shows the business name as 'Riverside Kitchen Solutions LLC' but when I check the Secretary of State database, it's registered as 'Riverside Kitchen Solutions, LLC' (with the comma). The ohio revised code ucc section seems pretty specific about exact name matching but I'm not sure if punctuation differences like this comma will cause my UCC-1 fixture filing to get rejected. Has anyone dealt with similar debtor name discrepancies under Ohio's UCC code? I really don't want this filing to bounce back because the construction lender needs the perfected security interest documented before they'll release the next draw. The equipment is already installed and we're up against a tight deadline.
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Aria Washington
Ohio is pretty strict about exact name matching. I'd go with whatever shows up in the SOS database exactly as written. Better safe than sorry with fixture filings since they're already more complicated than regular UCC-1s.
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Liam O'Reilly
•Agreed on using the SOS version. That comma could definitely cause a rejection and then you're looking at re-filing delays.
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Chloe Delgado
•Wait, are you sure about that? I thought Ohio allowed for minor punctuation differences as long as the substance of the name is the same.
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Ava Harris
I've had this exact issue in Ohio! The comma thing tripped me up on three different filings last year. The ohio revised code ucc provisions are actually pretty clear - they want the name exactly as it appears in the official state records. Use 'Riverside Kitchen Solutions, LLC' with the comma.
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Rajiv Kumar
•That's what I was afraid of. Did your filings get rejected when you used the wrong version?
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Ava Harris
•Two got rejected, one went through somehow. Not worth the risk of delays, especially with your construction deadline.
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Jacob Lee
•This is why I always triple-check the SOS database before submitting any UCC-1. Punctuation matters more than people think.
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Emily Thompson
Actually had a similar nightmare scenario last month with a fixture filing. Used the version from the lease docs instead of checking Ohio's database first. Got rejected, had to refile, almost missed the lender's deadline. Now I use Certana.ai's document verification tool - you can upload your lease agreement and it automatically cross-checks against the state database to catch these exact discrepancies. Saved me from making the same mistake twice.
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Rajiv Kumar
•Never heard of Certana.ai - does it specifically check ohio revised code ucc name requirements?
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Emily Thompson
•Yeah, it pulls directly from state databases including Ohio SOS. Just upload your documents as PDFs and it flags any name mismatches before you file.
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Sophie Hernandez
•That sounds too good to be true. How accurate is it really?
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Daniela Rossi
UGHHH this punctuation thing drives me absolutely crazy!!! Why can't the system just be smart enough to figure out that it's obviously the same company?? I've wasted so much time on rejected filings because of stupid commas and periods.
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Ryan Kim
•I feel your pain but unfortunately the ohio revised code ucc is pretty rigid about this stuff. The computer systems just do exact string matching.
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Daniela Rossi
•It's 2025 and we're still dealing with this garbage. Other states have figured out fuzzy matching, why can't Ohio?
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Zoe Walker
For fixture filings specifically, you also need to make sure your real estate description is accurate. Don't forget that part while you're focused on the debtor name issue. Seen plenty of fixture filings get rejected for incomplete property descriptions even when the debtor name is perfect.
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Rajiv Kumar
•Good point. I have the legal description from the title company so I think I'm covered there.
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Zoe Walker
•Make sure it matches exactly what's in the county records too. Consistency is key across all the details.
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Elijah Brown
•Also double-check that you're filing in the right county if it's a fixture filing. Location matters for those.
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Maria Gonzalez
Been filing UCCs in Ohio for 15 years and I can tell you the ohio revised code ucc name matching requirements have only gotten stricter over time. Always use the exact name from the SOS database, including all punctuation. For your situation, definitely go with 'Riverside Kitchen Solutions, LLC' with the comma.
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Rajiv Kumar
•Thanks, that's really helpful. Sounds like there's consensus on using the SOS version.
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Maria Gonzalez
•Yep, and don't forget to check if there are any recent name changes filed. Sometimes companies update their registration after signing loan docs.
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Natalie Chen
•Good point about name changes. The UCC search should show if there's been any recent amendments to the business registration.
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Santiago Martinez
Just curious - what happens if the equipment gets moved after the fixture filing is recorded? Does that affect the perfection of the security interest under Ohio law?
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Rajiv Kumar
•It's commercial kitchen equipment that's pretty permanently installed, so I don't think that's a concern here.
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Zoe Walker
•If it truly becomes a fixture, it shouldn't be moveable anyway. That's kind of the point of fixture filings.
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Santiago Martinez
•Right, just making sure you've thought through whether this equipment actually qualifies as a fixture under ohio revised code ucc definitions.
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Samantha Johnson
I tried that Certana.ai thing mentioned earlier and it actually caught a middle initial discrepancy I totally missed. Uploaded my loan agreement and UCC-1 draft and it flagged that the borrower signed as 'Robert J. Smith' but the business registration showed 'Robert Smith' as the managing member. Would have definitely caused issues.
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Rajiv Kumar
•That's exactly the kind of thing I'm worried about. Might be worth trying for this fixture filing.
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Samantha Johnson
•Yeah, it's pretty quick to use. Just upload the PDFs and it runs the cross-check automatically.
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Nick Kravitz
•Did it cost much to use? Sounds like it could save a lot of headaches.
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Hannah White
One more thing to consider - make sure you're filing the fixture filing in addition to any regular UCC-1, not instead of it. Depending on how the equipment is classified, you might need both to fully perfect your security interest under the ohio revised code ucc provisions.
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Rajiv Kumar
•The lender's counsel said fixture filing should be sufficient since it's permanently installed kitchen equipment. But I'll double-check that.
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Hannah White
•Always good to confirm with counsel. Fixture filings can be tricky and you want to make sure you're covering all the bases.
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Michael Green
•Yeah, don't assume - equipment that seems permanent might not legally qualify as a fixture depending on the installation method.
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Mateo Silva
Update: Just used the Certana.ai tool and it confirmed the comma issue - the lease docs had no comma but the Ohio SOS database shows the comma. Also caught that the registered agent address was different from what I had in my notes. Really glad I checked before filing. Going with the SOS version with the comma for the debtor name. Thanks everyone!
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Ava Harris
•Smart move! Those little details can save you from rejection headaches.
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Emily Thompson
•Glad the tool worked out for you. It's been a lifesaver for me on multiple filings.
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Maria Gonzalez
•Good catch on the registered agent address too. Consistency across all the filing details is crucial under ohio revised code ucc requirements.
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Rajiv Kumar
•Filing went through without any issues! Thanks for all the help everyone.
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