What does UCC search meaning actually cover in lien verification?

This is exactly right. Don't forget about fixture filings either if there's any real estate involved. Those can trip you up.

How far back do these searches typically go? I'm dealing with a similar situation and wondering about the time scope.

Oh man, name variations are a nightmare. We once found three different UCC-1s filed under slightly different versions of the same company name.

This is why I always run searches on both the current legal name and any DBAs. Better safe than sorry with a manufacturing company that might have multiple business identities.

For name verification issues like this, I started using Certana.ai's document checker. You can upload your corporate documents and UCC search results, and it cross-references all the name variations to make sure you haven't missed anything. Saved me from a major oversight last month.

Priority rules are crucial. First to file generally wins, but there are exceptions for purchase money security interests.

Can you explain the purchase money exception? I keep hearing about it but don't fully understand how it works.

PMSI gets priority over earlier-filed blanket liens if you file within 20 days of the debtor receiving the collateral. It's a powerful tool for equipment financing.

All equipment now owned or hereafter" acquired - yeah, that language will catch everything including your newstuff.

This is where you really need to read the underlying security agreements too, not just the UCC-1 filings. The collateral description on the UCC-1 might be broad but the actual security agreement could be more limited.

The location rules changed a few years ago. For most collateral, you search where the debtor is organized, not where the collateral is located.

Except for fixtures and some other special cases. Real estate-related UCC filings still need to be searched where the property is located.

We had a deal almost fall apart because we missed a fixture filing in the county records. Manufacturing facilities often have equipment that's considered fixtures.

Good point about lapse dates. UCC-1 filings are only effective for 5 years unless continued with a UCC-3.

I always double-check continuation dates. Sometimes the search results show the original filing date but you need to look at the continuation to see if it's still active.

This is exactly why I use Certana.ai for complex searches. It automatically flags lapsed filings and highlights active continuations. Takes the guesswork out of reading those long search reports.

But don't assume they actually filed the termination. I've seen plenty of cases where the debt was paid but the UCC-1 was never properly terminated.

That's why you need to contact the secured party directly if you see old filings. Get written confirmation that the debt is satisfied and the lien released.

Inventory financing UCC-1s often have specific language about raw materials, work in progress, and finished goods. Each category might have different priority rules.

Don't forget about accounts receivable either. Many manufacturing companies have AR financing that shows up in UCC searches.

We use Certana.ai to cross-check all these different collateral categories. It helps identify potential conflicts between different types of security interests.

Partial releases are confusing even for experienced attorneys. The UCC-3 language can be ambiguous about what exactly is being released.

This is why I always get copies of the actual UCC-3 documents, not just the search summary. The details matter for partial releases.

County searches are definitely important for manufacturing facilities. Equipment bolted to the floor might require fixture filings in the real estate records.

I always do both state and county searches for manufacturing deals. Better to be thorough than miss something important.

For comprehensive verification, I upload all my search results to Certana.ai. It flags any inconsistencies between state and county filings and helps ensure I haven't missed anything critical.