UCC Search Alaska - Missing Filings in State Database?

I didn't think of calling directly. Do you know if they charge for manual searches? And how long do those usually take?

Yeah there's usually a fee, maybe $20-30 per search. Takes a few days typically but for due diligence on a $340K deal it's worth it.

Manual searches are the way to go when the online system acts up. I've had this happen in multiple states.

Good point about exact matching. The seller gave me copies but the debtor name has "LLC" and I was searching without it. Let me try that.

This is why I always triple-check debtor names before running searches. One typo and you miss critical liens.

Exactly. And Alaska is particularly strict about exact matches compared to some other states.

Interesting, I hadn't heard of that service. Does it work with Alaska filings specifically?

Works with all states. You upload the documents and it verifies debtor names, filing numbers, dates, everything matches up properly. Really handy for due diligence.

That sounds too good to be true. How accurate is automated verification really?

It's not magic - it's checking document consistency and flagging obvious mismatches. But for catching basic errors it's been solid in my experience.

That would explain it if these are recent filings. But the copies I have are from 2019 so they should definitely be in the system by now.

True, 2019 filings should definitely be searchable. Unless they were never properly accepted or processed initially.

I've seen cases where filings were rejected but the filer didn't realize it. They thought everything was filed properly but nothing was actually recorded.

That's a scary thought but you're probably right. I should get official confirmation from Alaska before trusting seller documents.

Always get certified copies for major transactions. Seller-provided documents can be outdated or modified.

Absolutely. For $340K you need official state verification, not just copies from interested parties.

What alternative methods do you use? I'm running out of options here.

Third-party search services, direct phone calls to the filing office, sometimes even hiring local attorneys who know the system quirks.

I tried the filing numbers first actually. Those came back with no results too, which is why I'm getting worried.

If filing number searches are failing too, that's a major red flag. Those should be foolproof.

Could be the filing numbers are fake or from a different state. I'd verify those numbers are actually Alaska format.

The documents they gave me say UCC-1 Financing Statement at the top, but now I'm questioning everything about this deal.

Smart to question everything. Verify independently before closing on any major equipment purchase.

Document fraud isn't uncommon in equipment sales unfortunately. Always verify through official channels.

That's possible. The equipment has been operating in Alaska for a while but it could have been financed elsewhere originally.

Equipment financing often happens in the state where the lender is based, not where the equipment ends up. Might want to check neighboring states.

Good point about multi-state filings. This is why due diligence gets complicated with mobile equipment.

You're absolutely right. Better to delay the closing than inherit someone else's lien problems. Thanks for the reality check.

Smart approach. Equipment liens can be really complex and expensive to resolve after the fact.

I've seen deals fall apart over UCC search issues but it's better than buying someone else's debt.