Uniform Commercial Code Lien Filings

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The Uniform Commercial Code Filings database in Public Records contains active and inactive UCC filings from 50 states, D.C. and the Virgin Islands.

UCC Background

Article 9 of the UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) governs the creation, perfection, enforcement and security interest in personal property. This is for lenders to see what other lenders have secured as collateral for a business loan. Normally this is collateral other than real estate.

The following details may be helpful to keep in mind when running UCC filings searches.

• UCC Financing statements must be filed where the debtor is located.
• Filings are with the Secretary of States office only and not with the county recorder.
• For non-US entities, the filing location is the District of Columbia.
• Filings no longer can be made under the DBA name or Assumed Name, but must be under the corporate name.
• General collateral descriptions in UCC statements now allowed- description such as "all assets" is acceptable.

UCC Content

There are several different types of UCC Filings types. The Uniform Commercial Code Filings database contains abstracts of the following UCC filings types:

Initial Filing (formerly known as a UCC-1) - this is the original filing which establishes a legal notice to anyone concerned that the secured party has a legally protected interest in the personal property of the debtor. This can also be referred to as the Initial Financing Statement.

Note: While uncommon, if there are multiple debtors a Secured Party may file multiple UCC-1 filings with the same debtors listed. However, each filing will list the debtor in a different order. This has to do with debt collection, as the order in which lenders can collect is determined by the order in which the debtors are listed. So if there are two debtors - Debtor 1 and Debtor 2, a Secured Party may fie one filing with the Debtors listed as Debtor 1 then Debtor 2. In collection, they would seek to collect from Debtor 1 first. The Secured Party may file another filing with the same debtors, but the debtors listed as Debtor 2 then Debtor 1. This way, they can collect from Debtor 2 first in relation to this filing.

UCC Amendment (formerly known as a UCC-3) - these are filed to reflect a change or update to the original filing. The most common examples would be

• A continuation of the lien.
• A partial release of collateral.
• An assignment of a secured party's rights.
• A termination.

UCC Coverage

County UCCs - We have historical county level filings for Texas. See the Coverage Link to determine coverage.

Tax Liens -California UCC data can contain "tax liens. These are federal tax liens filed at the CA Secretary of State and included in our UCC update.

INITIAL COOP UCC1 - In some states, a UCC is filed for Co-Ops in order to show a security interest against Cooperative Apartments. These Filings will have INITIAL COOP UCC1 listed as the Filing Type. These UCCs are usually in effect for longer than the standard 5 years but it will vary by state.

UCC Filings Search Tips

• FILING-DATE Segment - UCC filings include multiple dates. These dates can relate to the following events:
  • Original filing date
  • Amendment date
  • Continuation date
  • Termination date

  Determining the Status of a UCC Filing

  UCC Filings expire at designated times based on the state and type of filing:

  • In most states, a UCC filing expires after 5 years.
  • In a few states, a filing expires after 12 years.
  • In some states, if the debtor is a utility company, the filing doesn't expire until a termination is filed.

  Most states reflect a filing as "active" for one year after the termination date. After the year, the filing rolls off their system. On LexisNexis, we keep the filing and do not delete it. So it's possible that the Filing Status says "active" but it expired years ago.

  UCC Filings utilizes matching technology to "roll up" all transactions for a filing into one result. Once a search is run, a cite list with the original filing number will be presented. Click on the source document to view if a subsequent transaction has taken place for this filing to help you to determine its status.