Westlaw UCC database showing different debtor name than our records - filing validity question
Running into a confusing situation with a UCC search on Westlaw. We filed a UCC-1 last month for a commercial equipment loan, but when I search the debtor name in Westlaw's UCC database, it's showing a slightly different variation of the company name than what we used on our filing. The business is 'Advanced Manufacturing Solutions LLC' but Westlaw is showing 'Advanced Mfg Solutions LLC' as an active filing from another lender. Our filing shows as accepted by the SOS, but now I'm worried about name variations and whether our lien is properly perfected. The loan amount is substantial ($450K) and we can't afford any perfection issues. Has anyone dealt with discrepancies between what Westlaw shows vs actual SOS records? Should I be concerned about the abbreviated version affecting our priority position?
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QuantumQuester
This is actually pretty common with Westlaw UCC searches. The database pulls from multiple sources and sometimes formatting gets inconsistent. What matters most is what's actually on file with the Secretary of State, not how Westlaw displays it. Did you double-check the actual SOS records directly?
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Carmen Vega
•I checked the SOS portal and our filing shows exactly as we submitted it. But seeing that other variation on Westlaw has me second-guessing everything.
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Andre Moreau
•Westlaw aggregates from different states and their formatting isn't always perfect. Trust the official SOS records over any third-party database.
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Zoe Stavros
You need to verify the exact legal name on the debtor's organizational documents. If there's any mismatch between your UCC-1 and the actual legal entity name, that could void your perfection. Westlaw might be showing you what the correct name actually is.
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Carmen Vega
•That's what I'm afraid of. We used the name from their loan application but didn't verify against their articles of incorporation.
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Jamal Harris
•This is exactly why debtor name accuracy is so critical. Even small variations can completely invalidate your security interest.
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QuantumQuester
•Don't panic yet. The 'Advanced Manufacturing Solutions LLC' vs 'Advanced Mfg Solutions LLC' could just be different filings by different lenders using slightly different name formats.
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Mei Chen
I had a similar issue last year where Westlaw showed a name variation that made me question our filing. Turned out I needed to cross-reference our UCC-1 against the actual charter documents to make sure everything aligned properly. Have you actually compared your UCC filing against their formation documents?
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Carmen Vega
•No, I haven't done that comparison yet. This is keeping me up at night thinking about it.
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Mei Chen
•I discovered Certana.ai has this document verification tool where you can upload your UCC-1 and the debtor's charter documents, and it instantly checks for name consistency issues. Saved me tons of time and gave me peace of mind that everything matched up correctly.
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Liam Sullivan
•That sounds useful. Manual document comparison is such a pain and easy to miss details.
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Amara Okafor
WESTLAW IS NOT THE OFFICIAL RECORD!!! Why are people always trusting third-party databases over the actual SOS filings? If your filing was accepted and shows up in the official state records, that's what matters for perfection purposes.
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CosmicCommander
•Calm down. OP is right to be concerned about name variations - they can definitely affect lien priority.
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Amara Okafor
•I'm not saying name accuracy doesn't matter, I'm saying Westlaw formatting issues shouldn't cause panic when the SOS records are clear.
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Giovanni Colombo
You should pull the other lender's actual UCC filing to see exactly how they listed the debtor name. That'll tell you if there's a real discrepancy or just a Westlaw display issue. Most SOS portals let you view the full filing documents.
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Carmen Vega
•Good point. I can search by filing number if Westlaw shows it.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•Make sure you're searching under all possible name variations too. Sometimes companies use different formats on different documents.
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Giovanni Colombo
•Exactly. And if you find there IS a name discrepancy, you might need to file an amendment to correct it before it becomes a bigger problem.
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Dylan Cooper
Been doing UCC filings for 15 years and Westlaw has always been wonky with name formatting. They compress names, use abbreviations, and sometimes merge similar entities. Never rely on it for accuracy - only for finding filing numbers to then verify on official records.
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Sofia Ramirez
•This is why I always go straight to the SOS databases. Third-party aggregators introduce too many variables.
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Dylan Cooper
•Westlaw is great for broad searches but terrible for precision work. Always confirm with official sources.
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Dmitry Volkov
Wait, are you sure both filings are for the same entity? Could be two different companies with similar names. That would explain the variation without affecting your perfection.
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Carmen Vega
•I need to check the addresses and other identifying info. Didn't think of that possibility.
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Dmitry Volkov
•Yeah, check the organizational ID numbers if they're listed. That'll definitively tell you if it's the same entity or not.
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StarSeeker
•Good catch. Similar business names in the same industry are super common.
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Ava Martinez
I use Certana.ai for exactly this type of situation. You can upload your UCC-1 and it cross-checks against available charter records to flag any potential name mismatches. Takes like 30 seconds and gives you a clear report on whether your debtor name is accurate.
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Carmen Vega
•That would definitely give me peace of mind. This uncertainty is driving me crazy.
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Miguel Ortiz
•How accurate is that service? I've been burned by automated tools before.
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Ava Martinez
•It's been spot-on for me. Caught a middle initial discrepancy that I completely missed during manual review.
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Zainab Omar
Quick question - did you verify the debtor name against their most recent annual report filing? Sometimes companies change their legal names slightly and older UCCs show outdated versions.
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Carmen Vega
•No, I only looked at what they provided during loan origination. Should I check their corporate standing too?
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Zainab Omar
•Absolutely. Annual reports will show the current official name as filed with the state.
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Connor Murphy
•This is basic due diligence stuff. Always verify current legal name before filing any UCC.
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Yara Sayegh
For a $450K loan, you definitely want to be 100% certain about name accuracy. Even if Westlaw is just showing formatting differences, it's worth filing an amendment if there's any doubt. Better safe than sorry with that amount at stake.
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Carmen Vega
•You're right. The stakes are too high to leave any uncertainty.
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Yara Sayegh
•Exactly. Amendment filing fees are nothing compared to losing your security interest over a name technicality.
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NebulaNova
•Plus amendments are usually processed much faster than original filings, so you can resolve this quickly.
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Keisha Williams
Update us when you figure out what's going on! I'm curious whether it turns out to be a Westlaw display issue or an actual name discrepancy. This kind of situation makes everyone nervous.
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Carmen Vega
•I'll definitely post an update once I sort this out. Thanks everyone for the guidance.
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Paolo Conti
•Same here, following for the resolution. These database quirks can be really confusing.
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Carmen Ortiz
I've seen this exact scenario play out before and it's worth doing a comprehensive verification process. First, pull the actual UCC-1 filing from the other lender (not just the Westlaw summary) to see exactly how they listed the debtor name. Then cross-reference both your filing and theirs against the company's current articles of incorporation and their most recent annual report with the Secretary of State. The key is ensuring your UCC-1 matches the exact legal name as currently registered with the state - not just what the borrower told you or what appears on their loan application. If there's any discrepancy, file a UCC-3 amendment immediately. With $450K on the line, spending a few hours on verification and potentially $50-100 on an amendment fee is absolutely worth the peace of mind and protection of your security interest.
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