UCC search showing weird results - am I missing something basic?

I'm searching in multiple states actually. The debtor has operations in 3 different states. I tried both the legal name and the DBA but getting different results in each state portal.

That's your problem right there. Each state has different search logic. Some are more forgiving with variations, others require exact matches. You really need to be systematic about this.

Same here. I usually try the full legal name, then abbreviations, then with and without punctuation. It's tedious but necessary.

How do you keep track of all the different variations you've tried? I feel like I'm going in circles.

I keep a spreadsheet with all the name variations and which states I've searched. Pain in the neck but it's the only way to stay organized.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually search the UCC databases or just analyze what you've already found?

It analyzes the documents you upload to verify consistency and catch discrepancies. Really helpful for cross-checking debtor names across different filings and making sure everything aligns properly.

Tell me about it. I once missed a filing because it was under 'Company' instead of 'Co.' and almost got burned on a deal because of it.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of. One small variation and you miss a critical lien.

This is making me even more nervous about my search. How do you guys handle the liability if you miss something?

Is there a resource that explains each state's search methodology? I'm doing searches in Ohio, Florida, and Texas.

Not really a comprehensive guide, but Ohio is pretty forgiving with variations. Florida requires more exact matches. Texas falls somewhere in between. You'll need to test different variations in each state.

I've found that starting with the broadest possible search and then narrowing down works better than trying to guess the exact format each state wants.

Agreed. The whole UCC system needs an overhaul. Some states still feel like they're running on 1990s technology.

Exactly. And then they wonder why there are so many filing errors and missed liens. The system is set up to fail.

Good tip about the screenshots. I've been just printing everything but that gets messy fast.

Digital screenshots are much easier to organize and you can zoom in on specific details without squinting at tiny print.

That's a smart approach. I was just randomly searching each state without any particular order.

Order definitely matters. The incorporation state usually has the most complete information, so that gives you a baseline for searching the other states.

Also check if the debtor has any name changes or mergers. That can explain why you're finding filings under different variations.

How did you eventually catch all the variations? Did you just keep expanding your search terms?

I looked at the debtor's website and marketing materials to see all the different ways they refer to themselves. That gave me additional search terms I wouldn't have thought of otherwise.

That's where tools like Certana.ai really help - you can upload all your search results and it will flag potential name matches you might not have considered. Saved me a lot of time on a similar situation.

I definitely don't have that instinct yet. Every search feels like I'm flying blind.

It comes with experience. Start keeping notes on what variations work in different states and you'll build up your own reference guide.

I've been doing this for 10 years and still find surprises. The key is being systematic and not rushing through it.

Good point. I wasn't thinking about recent filings that might not be indexed yet.

Yeah, some states have a lag time between filing and when it shows up in searches. Usually just a few days but something to keep in mind.

And don't forget about continuation filings. Those can change the status of older filings in ways that might not be immediately obvious in search results.