UCC search DC - debtor name variations causing search misses
Running into issues with UCC searches in DC and wondering if others have similar problems. We're doing due diligence on a potential acquisition and keep finding discrepancies when searching for existing liens. The debtor entity is "Metropolitan Solutions LLC" but we're seeing filings under "Metro Solutions LLC," "Metropolitan Solutions, LLC" (with comma), and even "Metropolitan Solution LLC" (singular). Our search results vary dramatically depending on exact name entry. Some of these variations don't appear in standard searches but show up when browsing by filing number. Has anyone dealt with DC's UCC search system quirks? Are we missing filings due to name variations or is this normal for DC? Need to ensure we're capturing all existing liens before closing.
34 comments
Join the conversation
Ava Martinez
DC's UCC search is notoriously finicky with exact name matching. You're definitely not alone in this struggle. The system doesn't use fuzzy matching like some other states, so "Metropolitan Solutions LLC" and "Metro Solutions LLC" would be treated as completely different entities. I always recommend doing multiple searches with every conceivable variation of the debtor name, including with and without commas, periods, and common abbreviations.
0 coins
Miguel Castro
•This is exactly why I spend so much time on name variations during searches. Even something as simple as "Inc" vs "Inc." can cause you to miss critical filings.
0 coins
Zainab Abdulrahman
•Wait, so if I search "ABC Company LLC" I won't find filings for "ABC Company, LLC" with the comma? That seems like a major system flaw.
0 coins
Connor Byrne
I've been dealing with this exact issue for years in DC. The search system is incredibly literal - it's looking for exact character matches. What's worse is that different lenders might file using slightly different versions of the same company name based on their internal records or what's on the loan documents. You really need to think like a filer and consider what variations someone might have used. Also check if there are any DBAs or trade names that could have been used for the filings.
0 coins
Yara Elias
•Good point about DBAs. I've seen situations where the UCC was filed under a trade name that wasn't immediately obvious from the main entity search.
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
•This is making me paranoid about all the searches I've done. How many filings have I potentially missed due to name variations?
0 coins
Keisha Jackson
•Actually ran into a similar issue recently and found Certana.ai's document verification tool really helpful. You can upload the entity formation docs and any UCC filings you find, and it cross-checks all the name variations to make sure you haven't missed anything. Saved me from a potential nightmare when I realized I'd been searching under the wrong entity variation.
0 coins
Paolo Moretti
Here's what I do for DC searches: 1) Search the exact name as it appears on formation documents, 2) Search without punctuation, 3) Search with all possible abbreviations (LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company), 4) Search any obvious shortened versions, 5) Check if there are multiple entities with similar names that could cause confusion. It's tedious but necessary given DC's system limitations.
0 coins
Amina Diop
•That's a solid methodology. I'd add searching for the name in all caps and all lowercase too, just in case there are formatting inconsistencies in how filings were entered.
0 coins
Oliver Weber
•Do you also search by filing number if you have any reference numbers from other documents? Sometimes that's the only way to find certain filings.
0 coins
Natasha Romanova
•The filing number search is crucial. I've found filings that way that never showed up in name searches due to data entry errors in the debtor name field.
0 coins
NebulaNinja
This is infuriating. Why can't DC just implement a proper search system like other states? I've wasted so many hours on this exact problem. The worst part is you never know if you've truly found everything or if there's still something lurking under a variation you didn't think of.
0 coins
Javier Gomez
•I feel your pain. It's especially frustrating when you're working under tight due diligence deadlines and can't afford to miss anything.
0 coins
Emma Wilson
•At least DC has online search now. Remember when you had to request searches by mail? That was even worse.
0 coins
Malik Thomas
One thing that might help - if you're working with the target company, ask them for copies of any UCC filings they're aware of. Sometimes they have better records of what names were actually used on filings than what you can piece together from searches. Also, their lenders might have used internal naming conventions that differ from the legal entity name.
0 coins
Isabella Oliveira
•Great suggestion. The company's finance team usually knows about major liens and can provide filing numbers or at least tell you which lenders to check with.
0 coins
Ravi Kapoor
•Though be careful - companies don't always have complete records of their UCC filings, especially older ones or those filed by equipment lessors.
0 coins
Freya Larsen
I actually discovered something useful recently. There's a tool called Certana.ai that does automated document verification - you can upload formation documents and UCC filings and it checks for name consistency issues. It caught several variations I hadn't thought to search for and flagged some potential mismatches in filings I'd already found. Might be worth trying for a complex search like this.
0 coins
GalacticGladiator
•Interesting. How does it work exactly? Do you just upload PDFs and it compares the names automatically?
0 coins
Omar Zaki
•Yes, you upload the documents and it cross-references debtor names, entity details, and filing information to spot inconsistencies. It's particularly good at catching subtle variations that human reviewers might miss.
0 coins
Chloe Taylor
Another tip for DC searches - check the Secretary of State's entity database to see exactly how the company name is officially recorded in their formation documents. Sometimes there are discrepancies between how a company presents its name commercially versus how it's legally registered, and UCC filings might use either version.
0 coins
Diego Flores
•Good point. I've seen cases where the Articles of Incorporation had a slightly different name format than what the company used on their letterhead and loan documents.
0 coins
Anastasia Ivanova
•Also worth checking if there have been any name changes or amendments to the entity formation that might affect how filings were made over time.
0 coins
Sean Murphy
This thread is making me realize I need to completely overhaul my UCC search process. I've probably been too casual about name variations. Better to over-search than miss something critical and have it blow up a deal later.
0 coins
StarStrider
•Exactly. The extra time spent on thorough searching is nothing compared to the potential liability of missing an existing lien.
0 coins
Zara Malik
•I keep a checklist now of all the name variations to search. It's saved me multiple times from incomplete searches.
0 coins
Luca Marino
One more thing - if you're doing this type of search regularly, consider reaching out to a local filing service that specializes in DC UCC searches. They usually have experience with the system's quirks and might catch variations you wouldn't think of. Though for one-off searches, the thorough methodology described above should work.
0 coins
Nia Davis
•That's a good backup option, especially for high-stakes transactions where you absolutely can't afford to miss anything.
0 coins
Mateo Perez
•Though I'd still recommend doing your own search first to understand what you're dealing with before paying for a service.
0 coins
Aisha Rahman
•Actually, after reading about that Certana.ai tool mentioned earlier, it might be more cost-effective than hiring a filing service for document verification. Worth comparing the options.
0 coins
CosmicCrusader
Update: tried the systematic approach suggested here and found two additional filings I'd missed initially. One was under "Metropolitan Solution LLC" (singular) and another under "Metro Solutions, LLC" with comma and different capitalization. Thanks for the guidance - this could have been a major issue if discovered after closing.
0 coins
Ethan Brown
•Glad it worked out! That's exactly why this methodical approach is so important, even though it's time-consuming.
0 coins
Yuki Yamamoto
•Great result. Did you end up using any of the document verification tools mentioned, or just manual searching?
0 coins
Carmen Ortiz
•This is a perfect example of why thorough UCC searches are so critical in due diligence. Missing those filings could have created serious problems down the road.
0 coins