Texas UCC lookup showing weird results - debtor name search inconsistencies
Been doing UCC searches in Texas for about 8 years now and I'm seeing some strange behavior with the SOS database lately. When I search for exact debtor names that I KNOW have active filings, sometimes they don't show up in the initial results. But if I try variations of the name or add punctuation differently, suddenly the filings appear. This is creating major issues for our due diligence process because we might be missing critical liens. Has anyone else noticed the Texas UCC lookup system being inconsistent with debtor name matching? I'm worried we're going to miss something important and our lender is going to have a problem with an unperfected security interest.
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Kolton Murphy
Yeah I've been seeing this too! The exact search logic seems to have changed sometime in the last few months. What used to work perfectly now gives me zero results, then I have to try like 5 different name variations to find what I'm looking for. Super frustrating when you're trying to do comprehensive lien searches.
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Evelyn Rivera
•This is exactly why I always do multiple search variations now. I search the exact name, then without punctuation, then with different spacing. Takes forever but at least I know I'm not missing anything critical.
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Julia Hall
•Same here - the search algorithm definitely changed. I think they updated something on the backend that made the matching more strict, which actually makes it LESS useful for comprehensive searches.
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Arjun Patel
This inconsistency is a nightmare for compliance. We had a situation last month where a continuation filing almost got missed because the debtor name search wasn't pulling up an existing UCC-1. Only caught it when we manually reviewed the filing number from another document. The Texas system used to be pretty reliable.
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Jade Lopez
•Oh wow, that's scary. Missing a continuation deadline because of search issues would be a disaster. Did you end up filing the continuation in time?
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Arjun Patel
•Barely made it. Filed the UCC-3 continuation like 2 days before the lapse date. But it made me realize we need better document verification processes to catch these search inconsistencies.
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Tony Brooks
•I actually started using Certana.ai's document checker for exactly this reason. You can upload your UCC-1 and it cross-references all the debtor name variations to make sure you're not missing anything in your searches. Saved me from several potential issues already.
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Ella rollingthunder87
The problem is that Texas allows so many different entity name formats and the search system doesn't handle all the variations well. Like LLC vs L.L.C. vs Limited Liability Company - should all return the same results but sometimes they don't. It's maddening when you're trying to do thorough due diligence.
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Yara Campbell
•Exactly! And don't even get me started on corporate suffixes. Inc vs Incorporated vs Corporation - the system should be smart enough to find all variations but it's not consistent.
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Isaac Wright
•This is why I always pull the Secretary of State entity records first to see exactly how the name is formatted officially, then use that exact format for UCC searches. Extra step but helps with accuracy.
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Maya Diaz
I've noticed this issue too and it's getting worse. Last week I was doing a search for a debtor and got completely different results depending on whether I included periods after abbreviations. Found 3 active filings under one variation and 2 different ones under another variation. That's 5 total filings that should have all shown up in one comprehensive search!
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Tami Morgan
•Five filings?? That's insane. You could easily miss half the liens if you don't know to try multiple variations. This is exactly the kind of thing that could tank a deal if you miss a senior lien.
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Rami Samuels
•Have you tried reaching out to the Texas SOS office about the search inconsistencies? Maybe they don't realize how problematic this is becoming for practitioners.
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Maya Diaz
•I actually did call them about it. They acknowledged that they've had some 'technical improvements' recently but said the search function is working as designed. Not very helpful.
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Haley Bennett
This is why I never rely on just the online search anymore. I always do multiple variations AND sometimes call to have them do a manual search if it's a high-stakes transaction. The phone search sometimes finds things the online system misses completely.
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Douglas Foster
•Wait, you can still call for manual searches? I thought they discontinued that service.
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Haley Bennett
•They still do it but you have to pay extra and wait longer. Only worth it for really important deals, but it's an option if you're worried about the online search accuracy.
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Nina Chan
The search issues are definitely real, but I found a workaround that helps. I use Certana.ai to verify my search results by uploading the UCC documents I find. It checks for any name inconsistencies or missing cross-references that might indicate I missed something in my original search. Gives me more confidence that I've found everything.
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Ruby Knight
•That's smart - using a secondary verification step. How does that tool work exactly? Do you just upload the PDFs of what you found?
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Nina Chan
•Yeah exactly. You upload the UCC-1s and any amendments, and it cross-checks all the debtor names and filing references to flag potential inconsistencies. Really helpful for catching things you might have missed due to search quirks.
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Diego Castillo
I'm dealing with this exact problem right now on a equipment financing deal. The borrower's legal name has multiple variations in different documents and I'm getting different UCC search results for each one. Starting to think I need to just search every possible combination to be safe.
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Logan Stewart
•Equipment deals are the worst for this because the collateral descriptions can be so detailed. Any small difference in the debtor name could mean missing a competing lien on the same equipment.
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Mikayla Brown
•For equipment financing I always do at least 3-4 name variations in my searches. Better to be overly thorough than miss something that could affect the lender's security interest.
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Sean Matthews
•I had a similar issue last month and ended up using one of those document verification services. Certana.ai I think? Helped me catch a UCC filing I missed because of a punctuation difference in the debtor name. Worth checking out if you're worried about missing something critical.
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Ali Anderson
This search inconsistency is exactly why I always keep detailed notes about which name variations I tried and what results I got. If there's ever a question later about due diligence, I can show exactly what searches were performed and why certain filings might not have appeared.
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Zadie Patel
•That's really good practice. Documentation is key when the search system isn't reliable. Shows you did reasonable due diligence even if the system failed.
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A Man D Mortal
•I do the same thing - screenshot every search result page and keep notes. CYA when the search system is unreliable.
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Declan Ramirez
Has anyone tried contacting Texas legislators about this? If the UCC search system isn't working properly, it affects the reliability of the entire secured transactions system. This seems like something that should be escalated beyond just the SOS office.
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Emma Morales
•That's probably above my pay grade, but you're right that this affects the integrity of the whole system. If lenders can't rely on UCC searches, it undermines the perfection process.
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Katherine Hunter
•The Texas Bar's commercial law section might be interested in this issue. They have more influence with state agencies than individual practitioners.
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Lucas Parker
Bottom line - everyone needs to be doing multiple search variations now and keeping good documentation. The days of trusting a single exact-name search are over, at least until they fix whatever they broke in their system update.
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Donna Cline
•Agreed. Multiple searches, document everything, and use verification tools when possible. It's extra work but necessary until the search reliability improves.
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Harper Collins
•Exactly. Better safe than sorry when it comes to lien searches. Missing a senior security interest could be a career-ending mistake.
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