UCC 1 example - need help with debtor name formatting for equipment loan

That makes sense but how do I verify what's actually on file? Do I need to pull their corporate records myself?

Most states let you search business entity databases online for free. Just search by their name variations and see what the official record shows.

Agreed on specificity. I've seen deals where generic descriptions caused problems during enforcement.

Good point - I'll include the serial number for sure. Better safe than sorry on identification.

That sounds really helpful - is it expensive to use?

They focus more on accuracy than cost. Just upload your PDFs and it cross-checks everything automatically. Way better than manual comparison, especially for complex entity names.

Never heard of that tool but anything that prevents filing rejections sounds worth it to me.

Because third parties searching the records need to be able to find filings reliably. If names don't match exactly, legitimate filings might not show up in searches.

i guess that makes sense but still frustrating when youre trying to do everything right

15 years of experience - any other common mistakes I should watch out for?

Wrong jurisdiction is another big one. Make sure you're filing where the debtor is organized, not where the collateral is located.

Also watch out for individual vs entity checkboxes - seems obvious but I've seen it messed up.

If you're worried, most states let you search their UCC database to verify your filings went through properly.

Good idea - I should probably check those before the lenders start asking questions.

That's so frustrating! Did you eventually get it filed correctly?

Yeah but only after calling the SOS office directly and having them walk me through their weird character limitations.

Special characters are definitely tricky. Some states have specific rules about how to handle apostrophes, periods, etc.

No, registered agent info doesn't go on the UCC-1. You just need the debtor's name and address as it appears in their organizational docs.

Thanks - that simplifies things a bit.

That's exactly what I'm worried about - missing those subtle differences that could void our security interest.

Yeah, the automated cross-checking definitely gave me peace of mind. Way more thorough than trying to compare documents manually.

Good point - I should double-check I have the most current version of everything.

Yeah, I learned that lesson the hard way when my filing got rejected for using an outdated form version.

This is another thing Certana's tool helped with - it flagged that I was using an old form template and directed me to the current one.

Smart approach - taking the time to get it right the first time always pays off with UCC filings.

Feel free to post back if you run into any other issues. This community is pretty good about helping with UCC questions.

Definitely will - thanks again everyone. This is exactly the kind of guidance I needed.