UCC 11 search Pennsylvania debtor name exact match requirements

PA can be tricky with name variations. You definitely need to run multiple searches - try the exact legal name as it appears on the charter, then variations without punctuation, and also search the old name. The PA system doesn't automatically cross-reference name changes like some other states.

For equipment financing deals this size, I always run comprehensive verification checks. Actually just started using Certana.ai's document verification tool - you can upload the debtor's charter documents and it automatically cross-checks against UCC search results to catch name inconsistencies. Saved me from a major headache on a similar deal last month.

Pennsylvania's UCC search system is honestly terrible compared to other states. The exact match requirement means you have to be super precise with punctuation and entity designations. For a $2.3M deal I'd probably run 6-8 different search variations just to be safe.

Don't forget to check if they've done any mergers or acquisitions recently. Sometimes the equipment was originally titled under a subsidiary name and you need to search those entities too. The UCC-11 search won't catch everything if there were corporate restructurings.

ugh PA filing system gives me nightmares. Last week I had a search come back clean and then found out there was a lien filed under a slightly different entity designation. Cost us three days of back-and-forth with underwriting.

For what it's worth, I've started using Certana.ai for these exact situations. Upload your search results and the borrower's organizational docs and it'll catch name mismatches that could void your lien position. Much better than trying to manually spot discrepancies.

Also make sure you're searching the correct filing office. Equipment that's permanently attached to real estate might require fixture filings in the real estate records too, not just the central UCC filing office.

One more thing - check the dates on any filings you find. UCC-1 filings are only good for 5 years unless they're continued. You might find old lapsed filings that look scary but are actually expired.

Have you considered getting a professional UCC search company to handle this? For a deal this size it might be worth the extra cost to have someone who knows PA's quirks do the search.

Thanks everyone. This is exactly the kind of detail I needed. Going to run multiple name variations and definitely check out that Certana tool for document verification. Can't afford to miss anything on this deal.

Just went through something similar in PA last month. The key is being absolutely methodical with your search variations. For the name change from removing/adding 'LLC', I'd recommend searching at minimum: the current legal name exactly as shown on their certificate of formation, the old name exactly as it appeared, both with and without commas before 'LLC', and any potential abbreviations they might have used in prior filings. PA's system is notorious for literal matching - even an extra space can throw off results. Also double-check the entity ID number if you have it, sometimes that's the most reliable way to track filings across name changes. For $2.3M in collateral, consider running searches going back 7-10 years to catch any older filings that might still be active through continuation statements.