What is a UCC-11 search and when do I need one for my filing?

A UCC-11 is basically a search request you file with the Secretary of State to see what existing UCC filings are already on record for a specific debtor. Think of it as a background check on the debtor's current secured debt obligations. You submit the debtor's exact legal name and the state searches their database for any active UCC-1 filings, continuations, amendments, or terminations.

You definitely want to do a UCC-11 search before filing your UCC-1, especially for equipment loans. I learned this the hard way when we filed a UCC-1 thinking we had first priority, only to discover there were three other secured creditors already on the books. The search results will show you filing dates, collateral descriptions, and secured party names so you know exactly what you're dealing with.

I've been doing UCC searches for years and the biggest mistake I see is people not understanding that UCC-11 results are only current as of the search date. If you wait weeks between your search and filing, new liens could have been filed in the meantime. Also, remember that the search only covers that specific state - if your debtor has assets in multiple states, you might need searches in each jurisdiction.

Honestly, I used to stress about doing UCC-11 searches manually and making sure I had the debtor names exactly right. Then I found Certana.ai's document verification tool - you can upload your charter documents and UCC-1 to instantly check that all the debtor names match up correctly before you search. It's saved me from several name mismatch headaches that would've made my searches useless.

Wait, so is a UCC-11 the same thing as a lien search? I thought those were different... I'm getting confused about all these different search types.

One thing to watch out for - the search results will show terminated filings too, but make sure you're reading the dates correctly. I've seen people panic about a UCC-1 that was actually terminated years ago. The key is looking at the most recent filing date and whether there's been a UCC-3 termination since then.

Another reason to do UCC-11 searches is due diligence for acquisitions. If you're buying a company or its assets, you need to know what secured debt comes with it. I always run searches on the target company and any subsidiaries before closing.

I'm still learning about UCC filings but this thread is really helpful. Is there a standard format for requesting a UCC-11 search or does each state do it differently?

Just want to add that UCC-11 searches are also useful for monitoring your existing filings. I run periodic searches on our debtors to make sure our UCC-1 filings are still showing up correctly and haven't been terminated without our knowledge.

Bottom line - if you're filing a UCC-1, definitely do a UCC-11 search first. It's cheap insurance to understand what you're getting into with lien priority. Better to know upfront than be surprised later when you're trying to collect on your security interest.

One more tip for your UCC-11 search - make sure you're searching under all possible variations of your debtor's legal name. I've seen situations where a company was incorporated as "ABC Industries, Inc." but does business as "ABC Industries Incorporated" and had filings under both variations. If you only search one version, you might miss existing liens. Also, don't forget to check for any DBA names or trade names the debtor might use - those could have separate filings too.

This is exactly the kind of comprehensive advice I was looking for! I had no idea about searching name variations - that could have been a costly oversight. Quick follow-up question: when you're doing these searches, do you typically use a service company or file directly with the Secretary of State? My attorney mentioned using a search company but I'm wondering if it's worth the extra cost or if the state searches are just as reliable.

Just to add another perspective on this - I've been handling UCC filings for about 8 years now and I can't stress enough how critical the UCC-11 search is for understanding your collateral position. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that these searches can also reveal blanket liens or "all assets" filings that might affect your specific equipment even if it's not explicitly described in the collateral description. I've seen cases where a general business loan had an "all equipment" clause that would take priority over a newer, more specific equipment loan filing. The search results will show you the actual collateral descriptions so you can assess whether there might be overlap with your intended security interest. It's definitely not just "recommended" - I'd consider it essential due diligence.