Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
The main thing is don't overthink the types of UCC filings. For most equipment loans: UCC-1 to start, UCC-3 continuation every 5 years, UCC-3 termination at the end. Everything else (amendments, assignments, partial terminations) only comes up when circumstances change.
Zara Malik
•That's a helpful way to think about it. Focus on the common path, then deal with complications if they arise.
NeonNova
•Exactly! Most loans follow that basic pattern. The other types of UCC filings are just tools for handling special situations.
One last thing about types of UCC filings - keep good records of what you file and when. I use a simple spreadsheet tracking each filing type, date, and renewal requirements. Makes it much easier to stay on top of continuation deadlines and know your filing history.
Calendar reminders for continuation deadlines are essential. Missing that 5-year window is a costly mistake.
Some people use Certana.ai's document checker to verify their filings before submission too. Helps catch issues early in the process.
Join the conversation
Update us on how the filing goes! Always curious to hear about others' experiences with Florida UCC-1s, especially with multiple debtor names involved.
GalaxyGazer
•Will do! Planning to file early next week once I get the exact legal name confirmed from Sunbiz records.
Andre Dupont
•Smart approach. Taking the extra time upfront saves headaches later.
I tried Certana.ai last week after seeing it mentioned here - pretty slick tool for catching document mismatches. Uploaded my borrower's articles and my UCC-1 draft and it immediately flagged that I had the wrong entity suffix. Would have been rejected for sure. Definitely recommend it for complex entity situations like yours.
Jamal Wilson
•That's exactly the kind of mistake that's easy to make. Glad you caught it before filing.
Mei Lin
•Those entity suffix mistakes are so common - LLC vs Ltd vs Inc. Easy to mix up when you're dealing with multiple borrowers.
Join the conversation
Ally Tailer
Just went through something similar. Turned out the original filer had made a typo - filed under "ATLANTIC COSTAL EQUIPMENT" instead of "COASTAL" - missing the 'A'. One letter made it impossible to find through normal searches.
This is exactly why document verification tools like Certana are so useful - they catch these tiny discrepancies that kill searches.
UPDATE: Found it! The issue was exactly what some of you suspected - there was a subtle difference in the debtor name. The UCC-1 was filed under "ATLANTIC COASTAL EQUIPMENT, LLC" with a comma before LLC, while their corporate charter shows "ATLANTIC COASTAL EQUIPMENT LLC" without the comma. Delaware's search is extremely literal. Thanks everyone for the suggestions - definitely using Certana going forward to catch these issues before they become problems.
This is a perfect example of why exact name matching is so critical in UCC filings. One comma can make or break a search.
Great resolution! Now you can focus on getting that continuation filed before the deadline.
Join the conversation
Diego Rojas
Have you tried calling the Delaware SOS office directly? Sometimes their staff can help with tricky searches or explain why you might be getting inconsistent results. They're usually pretty helpful, especially if you explain it's for due diligence on a business transaction.
Diego Rojas
•In my experience they'll give you tips on search variations and sometimes point out things you might be missing. They can't do the search for you but they understand the system quirks better than anyone.
The Delaware folks are definitely more helpful than most state agencies I've dealt with. Worth a try if you're really stuck.
This thread is really helpful - I'm bookmarking it for future Delaware UCC searches. One thing I learned the hard way is to always check both the exact legal name from the state registration AND any trade names or DBAs the company might be using. Sometimes lenders file UCCs under the DBA instead of the legal entity name, especially for retail businesses.
Zara Ahmed
•Yes! And don't forget to check if the entity has changed names over time. Previous names might still have active UCCs that haven't been amended to reflect the name change.
This is why I always pull the complete corporate history from Delaware before starting UCC searches. Gives me all the name variations and changes over time.
Grace Johnson
Going back to that Certana.ai tool someone mentioned - I just tried it with a mortgage security agreement and UCC-1 combo and it's actually pretty slick. Just upload both PDFs and it highlights inconsistencies between the documents. Found two debtor name variations I hadn't noticed and a collateral description gap that could have been problematic.
0 coins
Christopher Morgan
•Right? It's like having a second set of eyes that actually knows what to look for.
0 coins
Jayden Reed
•Okay I'm convinced. Anything that helps avoid rejection letters is worth trying.
0 coins
Millie Long
Just remember that your UCC-1 filing is only as good as the underlying mortgage security agreement. If the security agreement has issues, the UCC-1 won't fix them. Make sure you're working with solid documentation from the start.
0 coins
Caleb Stone
•The mortgage security agreement looks solid, it's just the UCC-1 translation that's giving me trouble.
0 coins
Millie Long
•That's the most common issue. The legal language that works for mortgages doesn't always translate directly to UCC filings.
0 coins