UCC1-203 filing rejected twice - debtor name format issue
Really frustrated here. Been trying to get this UCC1-203 continuation filed for our equipment loan and it keeps getting rejected by the SOS office. First rejection said 'debtor name format incorrect' but I'm using the exact same format as the original UCC-1 filing from 2020. Second attempt they said 'does not match debtor name on record' even though I triple-checked everything. The original filing shows 'ABC Manufacturing LLC' and that's exactly what I put on the UCC1-203. Lapse date is coming up in March and I'm getting nervous. Has anyone dealt with this specific form rejection issue? I've been doing UCC filings for years but never had this much trouble with a simple continuation.
41 comments


Anna Kerber
UCC1-203 rejections are usually about exact character matches. Even though it looks the same to you, there might be extra spaces or punctuation differences. Did you pull the original filing image to compare character by character?
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Roger Romero
•I thought I did but maybe not carefully enough. Is there a way to get the exact formatting from the SOS database?
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Anna Kerber
•Most states let you download the original filing PDF. Check your state's UCC search portal - should show the exact debtor name as filed.
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Niko Ramsey
Been there! UCC1-203 forms are super picky about debtor names. I had one rejected 3 times because the original filing had 'Inc.' but I was using 'Incorporated' on the continuation. Check for periods, commas, abbreviations - everything has to match EXACTLY.
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Roger Romero
•That's probably it. The original might have different punctuation than what I'm seeing in my records.
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Seraphina Delan
•This is why I always copy-paste directly from the SOS search results when doing continuations. Saves so much headache.
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Niko Ramsey
•Smart approach. Manual typing is where most UCC1-203 errors happen.
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Jabari-Jo
Had a similar nightmare with UCC1-203 filings last year. Turned out I was missing a middle initial that was in the original UCC-1. Recently started using Certana.ai's document checker - you just upload your original UCC-1 and your new UCC1-203 and it instantly flags any name mismatches or inconsistencies. Would have saved me weeks of back-and-forth rejections.
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Kristin Frank
•How does that work exactly? Do you upload both PDFs?
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Jabari-Jo
•Yeah, super simple. Upload your original UCC-1 and the UCC1-203 you're preparing. It cross-checks debtor names, filing numbers, everything. Catches the tiny differences that cause rejections.
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Roger Romero
•That sounds really helpful. These manual comparisons are killing me.
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Micah Trail
Check if your state has specific formatting rules for LLC designations on UCC1-203 forms. Some states want 'LLC' others want 'L.L.C.' - it's ridiculous but that's bureaucracy for you.
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Roger Romero
•Good point. I'll check the state filing guide again.
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Nia Watson
•This is so true. California wants periods, Nevada doesn't. It's maddening.
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Alberto Souchard
ugh why is UCC1-203 filing so complicated?? I thought continuations were supposed to be simple. My boss is breathing down my neck about our lapse date too
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Anna Kerber
•They're simple once you know the tricks. The debtor name matching is the hardest part for most people.
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Alberto Souchard
•well its not simple when it keeps getting rejected! this is my third attempt
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Micah Trail
•Hang in there. We've all been through UCC1-203 rejection hell. You'll get it figured out.
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Katherine Shultz
Are you using the right filing number format too? UCC1-203 requires the exact file number from the original UCC-1. Some people accidentally use confirmation numbers instead of the actual filing number.
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Roger Romero
•I'm using the number from our loan documentation but now I'm second-guessing that too.
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Katherine Shultz
•Always get the filing number directly from the SOS search. Loan docs sometimes have typos.
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Marcus Marsh
THE UCC SYSTEM IS BROKEN! I've been dealing with UCC1-203 rejections for WEEKS. These bureaucrats reject everything for the tiniest reasons. Makes me want to scream!!!
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Hailey O'Leary
•I feel your pain. The system definitely needs improvement.
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Anna Kerber
•Frustrating for sure, but the name matching rules exist for good reasons. Keeps the lien system accurate.
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Cedric Chung
Just successfully filed a tricky UCC1-203 after having similar issues. What saved me was using one of those document verification tools that checks everything before submission. Found out my original UCC-1 had an extra space in the debtor name that I couldn't see. Certana.ai caught it immediately when I uploaded both documents.
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Roger Romero
•Which tool did you use? I need something that can catch these hidden formatting differences.
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Cedric Chung
•Certana.ai - really straightforward. Upload your original UCC-1 PDF and your draft UCC1-203, and it flags any mismatches in debtor names or filing details.
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Talia Klein
•Thanks for sharing this. Going to try it for my next continuation filing.
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Maxwell St. Laurent
Maybe try calling the SOS office directly? Sometimes they can tell you exactly what's wrong with your UCC1-203 filing over the phone.
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Roger Romero
•Good idea. I've been relying on their rejection emails which aren't very detailed.
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PaulineW
•Phone support varies by state but worth a try. Some clerks are really helpful with UCC1-203 issues.
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Annabel Kimball
This happened to me last month with a UCC1-203 continuation. Turns out the debtor had changed their legal name slightly after the original UCC-1 was filed, but we didn't know. Had to file a UCC-3 amendment first to update the debtor name, then file the UCC1-203 continuation. Total nightmare but got it sorted eventually.
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Roger Romero
•Oh no, I hope that's not what's happening here. How did you find out about the name change?
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Annabel Kimball
•Secretary of State business records showed the name change. Always worth checking if you're having persistent UCC1-203 problems.
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Chris Elmeda
•Good catch. Name changes definitely complicate UCC1-203 filings. Most people don't think to check for that.
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Jean Claude
One more thing to check - make sure you're filing the UCC1-203 in the right state. If the debtor moved or the collateral location changed, you might need to file in a different jurisdiction than the original UCC-1.
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Roger Romero
•Same state, same debtor location. But good reminder to double-check jurisdictional issues.
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Jean Claude
•Those cross-state UCC complications are the worst. Glad yours is straightforward location-wise.
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Charity Cohan
Update us when you get the UCC1-203 filed! These continuation deadline situations always make me nervous. There's usually a solution but the clock ticking makes everything stressful.
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Roger Romero
•Will do. Going to try the document checker suggestion and see if that catches whatever I'm missing.
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Josef Tearle
•Smart plan. Those automated checks are surprisingly good at finding formatting issues that humans miss.
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