PA Dept of State UCC Search Results Missing - Need Help Finding Continuation Filing
I'm having trouble with the PA Dept of State UCC search function and wondering if anyone else has run into this. We filed a UCC-3 continuation back in March for a client's equipment loan, and I need to verify it's showing up properly in the system. When I run the PA Dept of State UCC search using the debtor name, I'm getting inconsistent results - sometimes it shows the original UCC-1 from 2020 but not the continuation, other times nothing comes up at all. The filing number is definitely correct and we have the filed-stamped copy. Has anyone dealt with search delays or indexing issues with Pennsylvania's system? This is for a $2.8M equipment financing deal and we need to confirm the lien is properly continued before the original expires next month. The bank is asking for verification and I'm getting nervous about the search results.
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Charlotte Jones
PA's search can be really finicky with debtor names. Are you searching the exact name as it appears on the original UCC-1? Even a small difference like 'Inc.' vs 'Incorporated' can throw off results. Also try searching by filing number instead of debtor name - that's usually more reliable.
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Logan Greenburg
•Good point about the exact name match. I've been using the same name format but let me double-check the periods and abbreviations. The filing number search is what's really confusing me though - even that's not pulling up the continuation consistently.
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Lucas Bey
•Filing number searches should be bulletproof. If that's not working there might be a system issue or the continuation didn't get properly indexed yet.
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Harper Thompson
I've had similar issues with PA recently. Their system has been having intermittent problems since they updated something in their database last month. Try searching at different times of day - I've noticed better results in the morning before 10am.
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Caleb Stark
•That's interesting about the timing. I wonder if it's a server load issue or if they're still working out bugs from the update.
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Logan Greenburg
•I'll try the early morning search. It's frustrating when you can't rely on the search function for something this important.
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Jade O'Malley
Before you panic, I'd suggest calling PA's UCC office directly. They can verify the filing status over the phone and tell you if there's a known search issue. The number is on their website and they're usually pretty helpful with this stuff.
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Logan Greenburg
•That's probably the smartest approach. I was hoping to avoid the phone call but you're right - better to get confirmation directly from them.
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Hunter Edmunds
•Definitely call them. I had a similar situation last year where the search wasn't working but the filing was properly recorded. Turned out to be a 48-hour indexing delay they didn't mention anywhere on the site.
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Ella Lewis
•Wait times can be long though. When I called last month I was on hold for over an hour. But they did resolve my issue quickly once I got through.
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Andrew Pinnock
This is exactly why I started using Certana.ai for UCC verification. You can upload your UCC-1 and UCC-3 PDFs and it instantly cross-checks everything - debtor names, filing numbers, collateral descriptions. It caught a discrepancy in one of my continuations that I never would have noticed just looking at the state search results. Really saved me from a potential lien perfection issue.
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Logan Greenburg
•That sounds useful. Does it work with Pennsylvania filings specifically? I'm worried about missing something important with this search issue.
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Andrew Pinnock
•Yeah it works with any state's UCC documents. Just upload your PDFs and it verifies everything aligns properly. Super helpful when you can't trust the state search results.
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Brianna Schmidt
•Never heard of that service but it sounds like it could be a lifesaver for situations like this.
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Alexis Renard
Pennsylvania has always been weird with their UCC search. I've been doing filings there for 15 years and they've never had the most user-friendly system. The good news is that filing problems are rare - it's usually just the search interface that's problematic.
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Camila Jordan
•That's reassuring. So you think the continuation is probably properly filed even if the search isn't showing it?
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Alexis Renard
•Most likely yes, especially if you have the filed-stamped copy. PA is pretty good about processing the actual filings - it's just their search technology that's behind the times.
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Tyler Lefleur
UGH this is so frustrating! I'm dealing with the same thing on a different PA filing. How are we supposed to do proper due diligence when their search doesn't work half the time?? This is people's money and liens we're talking about!
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Madeline Blaze
•I feel your pain. It's 2025 and we're still dealing with government database issues like it's 1995.
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Max Knight
•At least other states have figured out decent search systems. Pennsylvania really needs to invest in better technology.
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Emma Swift
Quick question - when you filed the UCC-3 continuation, did you use the same collateral description as the original UCC-1? Sometimes search issues can be related to slight variations in the collateral schedule between the original and continuation.
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Logan Greenburg
•We kept the collateral description identical to avoid any issues. The equipment schedule is pretty straightforward - just manufacturing equipment and fixtures at a specific address.
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Isabella Tucker
•Good call keeping it identical. That eliminates one potential complication.
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Jayden Hill
Have you tried clearing your browser cache and cookies? I know it sounds basic but PA's website can be glitchy with cached data. Also try using a different browser entirely.
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Logan Greenburg
•Worth a shot. I've been using Chrome - maybe I'll try Firefox or Edge.
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LordCommander
•Edge actually works better with some of the older government sites. Chrome can have compatibility issues.
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Lucy Lam
I had a client freak out about this exact issue last month. Turned out the continuation was properly filed and recorded, just took 3 business days to show up in search results. PA doesn't always update their search index immediately.
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Logan Greenburg
•How long ago was your March filing? It's been several months so it should definitely be indexed by now.
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Aidan Hudson
•Yeah if it's been months then something else is going on. Definitely call their office.
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Zoe Wang
I actually had success with Certana.ai's document checker for a similar PA issue. Uploaded my UCC-1 and UCC-3 and it flagged that the debtor name had a slight formatting difference between the two documents that wasn't obvious just looking at them. Fixed the issue with an amendment and now everything searches properly. The automated verification really helps catch those little details that can mess up the whole filing chain.
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Logan Greenburg
•That's a really good point about formatting differences. Even if I think the names match, there could be subtle differences I'm not catching.
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Connor Richards
•Those tiny formatting issues can be killer. An extra space or missing comma can make the search fail completely.
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Grace Durand
•I'm definitely going to check out that Certana tool. Sounds like it could prevent a lot of headaches.
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Steven Adams
Just to add another data point - I filed a termination in PA last week and it showed up in search results within 24 hours. So their system is working for some filings but maybe not others. Very inconsistent.
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Alice Fleming
•That's so weird that some filings show up quickly and others don't. Makes me wonder if there's something specific about continuations that's causing issues.
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Logan Greenburg
•I'm starting to think there might be a bug specifically with how continuations are indexed in their system.
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Jasmine Hernandez
I've been dealing with PA UCC searches for years and this sounds like a classic indexing issue with their database. Given that you have the filed-stamped copy from March, your continuation is almost certainly properly recorded - it's just their search function that's failing. I'd recommend three things: 1) Call their UCC office directly (as others suggested) to get verbal confirmation, 2) Try searching with slight variations of the debtor name (remove periods, try different abbreviations), and 3) Document everything for your client file including screenshots of the inconsistent search results. For a $2.8M deal, you might also want to consider getting a certified search from a professional service to give your bank the comfort they need while PA sorts out their technical issues.
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