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Dylan Campbell

Need help with UCC statement service termination request form - filing process?

I'm dealing with a situation where I need to file a UCC statement service termination request form and I'm honestly not sure if I'm doing this right. We had a commercial loan that was paid off about 6 months ago, and the lender was supposed to handle the UCC termination but they keep dragging their feet. Our attorney says we can file the termination ourselves but I'm worried about messing up the paperwork. Has anyone dealt with filing your own UCC statement service termination request form when the secured party won't cooperate? I have the original UCC-1 filing number and all the loan documents, but the SOS website has different forms and I'm not sure which one applies to our situation. The debt is completely satisfied but we need this lien cleared ASAP for a refinancing deal. Any guidance on the proper procedure would be hugely appreciated.

You're talking about filing a UCC-3 termination statement, not a 'service termination request form.' The UCC-3 is what actually removes the lien from public record. Since your lender won't file it, you might need to go the debtor termination route, but be careful - you need to follow the exact requirements or it could get rejected.

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Thanks for the clarification! I was definitely using the wrong terminology. So I need a UCC-3 termination statement - is that something I can file directly as the debtor or do I need the secured party's signature?

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Most states allow debtor-initiated terminations under certain conditions, but you'll need proof the debt is satisfied. Check your state's specific requirements - some want a copy of the satisfaction letter or release document.

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I've been through this exact situation. The lender kept saying they'd file the termination 'soon' for like 8 months. Finally had to threaten legal action and they filed it within a week. Sometimes you just have to be more aggressive with these secured parties.

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Ava Thompson

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How did you document that the debt was satisfied? I'm in a similar spot and the lender is being completely unresponsive about filing the UCC-3.

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I had the final payment confirmation and a letter from their loan servicing department confirming zero balance. That plus certified mail showing I'd requested the termination multiple times was enough to light a fire under them.

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Miguel Ramos

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This is exactly why I started using Certana.ai's document verification tool. You can upload your UCC-1 and any satisfaction documents to make sure everything aligns before filing. Saved me from a rejected UCC-3 because I caught a debtor name mismatch between my original filing and the termination paperwork.

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Wait, are you sure the lender actually filed a UCC-1 in the first place? I've seen situations where people assume there's a UCC filing but there isn't one. You should search the UCC database first to confirm what exactly is on file.

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I have the filing number from when we closed the loan - it's definitely on file. I can see it when I search the state database. The status shows as active which is why we need the termination.

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StarSailor

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Good that you verified it's actually there. Some lenders are just terrible about follow-through on terminations. The UCC-3 process isn't that complicated once you have the right forms.

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I'm dealing with something similar but my lender went out of business! Now I have no idea who to contact for the termination. The UCC-1 is still showing active but the company doesn't exist anymore. Anyone know what to do in this situation?

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Yara Sabbagh

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Oof, that's rough. You might need to file an affidavit with the UCC-3 showing the secured party no longer exists and the debt is satisfied. Some states have specific procedures for this.

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Check if another company acquired their loan portfolio. Sometimes the UCC rights transfer with the business assets even if the original company dissolved.

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I'll look into both options. This is turning into a nightmare just to get a simple lien removed.

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Paolo Rizzo

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The debtor termination route is definitely available in most states but the requirements are pretty strict. You typically need to wait a certain period after the debt is satisfied (usually 20-30 days) and provide specific documentation. Don't wing it - get the exact requirements from your Secretary of State's office.

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QuantumQuest

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This is good advice. I tried to file a debtor termination once without following the exact procedure and it got rejected. Had to start over and pay the filing fee again.

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Amina Sy

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What kind of documentation did you need? I'm trying to gather everything before I file.

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Honestly, if you're dealing with a refinancing deadline, it might be worth having your attorney handle the UCC-3 filing. They can do it right the first time and you won't risk delays from rejected filings. The cost is usually pretty reasonable compared to the hassle.

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Second this. Attorneys know exactly which forms to use and how to fill them out properly. Plus if there are any issues with the filing, they can handle the follow-up.

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Our attorney quoted $350 to handle the whole thing which seems reasonable. I'm just frustrated that we have to pay extra because the lender won't do their job.

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That's actually a pretty good rate. Some attorneys charge way more for UCC work. $350 to get it done right and avoid delays is worth it for a refinancing situation.

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Emma Davis

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Before you file anything, double-check the debtor name on the UCC-1 exactly matches what you'll put on the UCC-3. Even minor differences can cause problems. I learned this the hard way when my filing got rejected because of a middle initial discrepancy.

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GalaxyGlider

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This is so important! The debtor name has to match exactly or the termination won't be effective. Same with the filing number - one wrong digit and you're starting over.

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I use Certana.ai's verification tool for exactly this reason. You can upload your UCC-1 and UCC-3 documents and it instantly checks for any mismatches in names, filing numbers, or other critical details. Catches errors before you file and have to pay fees again.

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That sounds useful. I've made filing mistakes before and it's frustrating to have to resubmit everything.

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Just to add - if you go the debtor termination route, make sure you send a copy of the UCC-3 to the secured party. Most states require this and it's good practice anyway. Certified mail with return receipt is the safest way to prove you notified them.

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Good point about the notification requirement. I forgot to do this on my first debtor termination and had to deal with questions later when the secured party claimed they never knew about it.

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Omar Farouk

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How long do you usually wait for a response after sending the notification? Is there a specific timeframe?

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Most states don't require you to wait for a response from the secured party before filing. The notification is just to inform them, not to get permission. But check your state's specific rules to be sure.

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CosmicCadet

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UPDATE: I ended up having our attorney handle the UCC-3 filing and it went through without any issues. The lender never did respond to our requests, but the debtor termination was accepted and the lien is now cleared. Thanks everyone for the advice - definitely learned a lot about the UCC process through this experience.

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Chloe Harris

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Glad it worked out! It's annoying when lenders don't follow through but at least there are options for debtors to handle it themselves.

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Diego Mendoza

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Good to hear a success story. I'm bookmarking this thread for future reference in case I run into the same situation.

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For anyone else dealing with unresponsive secured parties, document everything! Keep records of all your requests for termination, proof of debt satisfaction, and any communication attempts. This documentation is crucial if you need to file a debtor termination or if there are any disputes later.

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Sean Flanagan

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This is excellent advice. I keep a folder with all UCC-related documents for exactly this reason. You never know when you'll need to prove something about the filing or termination process.

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Zara Shah

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I also recommend taking screenshots of the UCC database showing the active filing before and after termination. It's good to have visual proof of the status change.

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NebulaNomad

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Smart thinking. I wish I'd been more organized with my documentation when I went through this process. Would have saved a lot of stress.

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