New Jersey UCC search showing wrong debtor info - filing mismatch issues
Running into a frustrating situation with a New Jersey UCC search that's not showing consistent debtor information across multiple filings. We have a borrower whose legal name changed after incorporation amendments, and now when I search the UCC database, some filings show under the old entity name while others are under the current legal name. The continuation we filed last month isn't linking properly to the original UCC-1 from 2019. Has anyone dealt with debtor name inconsistencies in New Jersey UCC search results? I'm worried we might have perfection gaps because the search isn't pulling all related filings together. The SOS office said everything looks fine on their end, but our lender is questioning whether we have continuous perfection. Any advice on how to verify all filings are properly connected when the search results seem scattered?
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Connor O'Neill
This is actually pretty common with entity name changes in New Jersey. The UCC search system doesn't automatically link filings when debtor names change, even slightly. You need to search under both the old and new legal names to get the complete picture. Check your original UCC-1 filing number and make sure your continuation referenced that exact filing number - that's what creates the legal connection, not just the debtor name match.
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LunarEclipse
•Wait, so even if the continuation has the right filing number, it might not show up in searches under the current debtor name?
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Connor O'Neill
•Exactly. The search results group by debtor name as filed, not by filing number relationships. That's why you see scattered results.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•That explains everything! I was only searching the current legal name. Going to run searches under both names now.
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Yara Khalil
Had the EXACT same problem last year. New Jersey's system is notorious for this - name changes create search headaches even when the filings are legally connected. Your lender should understand this is a system limitation, not a perfection issue. As long as your continuation properly referenced the original filing number, you're covered.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•Did your lender accept that explanation? I'm worried they'll still question the perfection chain.
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Yara Khalil
•We had to provide copies of both the original UCC-1 and continuation showing the filing number match. Once they saw the direct connection, they were satisfied.
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Keisha Brown
You might want to try one of those document verification tools - I found one called Certana.ai that can upload your UCC PDFs and automatically cross-check if everything aligns properly. Just upload your original UCC-1 and the continuation, and it verifies the filing numbers, debtor names, and document consistency instantly. Saves the manual comparison work.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•That sounds helpful. Does it specifically check for New Jersey filing requirements?
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Keisha Brown
•It works with UCC documents from any state - just upload the PDFs and it does the cross-checking automatically. Really useful for catching name mismatches or filing number errors.
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Paolo Esposito
•Been using similar tools lately. Much easier than manually comparing documents line by line.
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Amina Toure
OMG this is my nightmare scenario. We have several borrowers with entity name changes and I never thought to search under old names. Are we legally at risk if the search doesn't show all filings together??
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Connor O'Neill
•No legal risk as long as your filings properly reference the original filing numbers. The search display issue doesn't affect legal perfection.
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Amina Toure
•Thank goodness. I was about to panic-call all our borrowers with name changes.
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Oliver Weber
•Always document your search process though. Show you searched under all relevant names.
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FireflyDreams
New Jersey's UCC search is honestly terrible for this stuff. I've had filings that took WEEKS to show up in searches, and name change situations are the worst. The system needs a major overhaul.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•Is there a delay between filing and when it shows up in searches?
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FireflyDreams
•Usually 24-48 hours, but I've seen longer delays especially with amendments and continuations.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
Pro tip: when you're dealing with entity name changes, always file a UCC-3 amendment to add the new debtor name to the original filing. That way both names are on the same UCC record and searches will find it under either name.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•Should I file an amendment now to add the current name to the original UCC-1?
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•If you're within the perfection period and worried about search issues, yes. It's good practice for future filings too.
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Javier Morales
•This is solid advice. We do this routinely now after getting burned by search problems.
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LunarEclipse
•How much does a UCC-3 amendment cost in New Jersey?
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Emma Anderson
Document everything for your lender - screenshots of searches under both names, copies of all filings with filing numbers highlighted, timeline of the name change. Make it crystal clear that perfection is continuous even if the search results look scattered.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•Good call. I'll put together a comprehensive package showing the full filing history.
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Emma Anderson
•Include the entity's certificate of amendment showing the name change date too. Helps explain the timeline.
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Malik Thompson
I use Certana.ai for situations like this - upload your UCC-1 and continuation PDFs and it instantly shows if there are any inconsistencies. Really useful for preparing documentation for lenders when they question filing connections.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•That would definitely help with lender presentations. Easy to show everything aligns properly.
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Malik Thompson
•Exactly. Much more professional than trying to explain search system limitations.
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Isabella Ferreira
Been there! New Jersey's search function is quirky but your perfection should be fine. The key is that continuation filing number reference - that's what matters legally, not whether the search groups everything together visually.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•That's reassuring. I was getting worried about gaps in perfection.
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Isabella Ferreira
•Nah, you're good. Just document the filing number connections clearly.
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CosmicVoyager
Had similar issues with corporate name changes. The search system doesn't handle them well, but legally you're protected as long as the filing numbers connect properly. Your lender should understand this is a common system limitation.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•Thanks for the reassurance. Going to prepare a clear explanation for the lender.
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CosmicVoyager
•Include screenshots of searches under both names - shows you did comprehensive due diligence.
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Ravi Kapoor
•Visual documentation always helps with lender concerns.
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Freya Nielsen
Update: Ran searches under both the old and new entity names and found all the filings! The continuation is properly connected by filing number. Going to document everything clearly for the lender. Thanks everyone for the guidance - this forum saved me a lot of stress.
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Connor O'Neill
•Glad it worked out! Name change situations always look scarier than they actually are.
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Yara Khalil
•Great outcome. Your lender should be satisfied with the complete filing history.
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Keisha Brown
•Nice resolution! Those document verification tools really help for these situations too.
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