UCC Filings Search and Lien Records in the United States

Before conducting a major transaction, such as buying a business, lending money, or forming a partnership, you should consider whether the individual or business already has outstanding liens against their assets. Liens are often recorded through UCC filings under the Uniform Commercial Code.

People search UCC filings for several purposes. However, the starting point for UCC searches is the Secretary of State's online portal in the state where the debtor is registered or operates. In some situations, local counties may also hold lien-related records, especially when transactions overlap with real estate or court judgments. For added verification, you may use a broader tool like the one provided by RecordsFinder which helps users cross-check UCC filings against tax liens, judgments, and other public records.

What Are UCC Filings? 

When a lender, lessor, or creditor wants to secure their interest in another person's personal property (such as equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, or intangible assets), they will file a notice known as a UCC financing statement. Note that this filing is not for real estate but personal property that can be used as collateral in a loan or credit deal.

The most common form of UCC filing is the UCC-1 financing statement. It may be considered like a public "heads-up" that a lender has a claim on certain collateral if the borrower fails to pay. If the borrower defaults, the lender who filed the UCC-1 has a stronger legal right to seize or sell that collateral than creditors who came later.

Apart from UCC-1 financing statements, there are also UCC-3 filings, which are used for updating an existing claim but not initiating a new one. A UCC-3 filing can:

• Amend a filing, such as correct a name or add collateral.
• Continue a filing by extending it before it expires.
• Terminating a filing by releasing the lien when the debt is satisfied.

By default, UCC-1 filings last five years. If a creditor wants to keep their interest alive beyond that timeline, they must file a continuation (a UCC-3) before the expiration date. Otherwise, the filing lapses and their secured interest may lose priority.

What Information Is in UCC Filings 

When you conduct a UCC search via the Secretary of State portal, the results generally include the following details:

• Debtor Name and Address: The individual or business who pledged property as collateral.
• Secured Party Name and Address: The lender, lessor, or creditor who filed the claim.
• Filing Number: A unique tracking ID assigned to the UCC statement.
• Filing Date: The date the UCC-1 financing statement was officially recorded.
• Lapse Date: Typically five years from the filing date unless continued.
• Collateral Description: A short text description of what property is covered, such as all inventory, accounts receivable, or specific equipment.
• Amendments: Any changes to the original filing, such as correcting names, changing addresses, or modifying collateral.
• Continuations: UCC-3 filings that extend a financing statement before it expires, keeping the lien active.
• Terminations: Filings that release the lien when the debt is paid off or satisfied.
• Status (Active or Terminated): An indicator of whether the lien is currently in force.

Note that since each state operates their own search system, the exact details you will find may slightly differ. While some states display all activities in a single record, others show amendments, continuations, and terminations separately.

How to Search UCC Filings

You can run a UCC filings search by following these steps:

• Identify the Appropriate State: Since UCC filings are recorded at the state level and not nationally, you need to perform your search in the state where the debtor is legally registered or primarily operates. If the debtor is a corporation or LLC, then the search must be conducted in the state of incorporation.
• Visit the Secretary of State's UCC Search Page: States typically provide an online UCC search tool via the website of their state secretary. While some states allow free lookups for basic information, others charge a fee for detailed or certified reports.
• Choose Your Search Type: Usually, you will be able to search by debtor name or filing number. If using the debtor name, provide the exact legal name of the individual or business. However, if you know the filing ID, you may also use the number to perform a search.
• Run the Search: Before hitting the search or find button, double-check spellings, middle initials, and punctuations. For businesses, confirm whether to include LLC, Corp., or Inc., depending on the state's rules.
• Review the Results: Upon selecting the search or find button on the UCC look up tool on the state secretary's website, you will obtain a search results page where you can find the information you need. You may check the results for the collateral descriptions, status, debtor and secured party names, and whether there are amendments, continuations, or terminations.
• Cross-Check for Completeness: If the debtor operates across state lines, you should consider using a reputable public records aggregator like RecordsFinder to obtain the information you need.

FAQs 

Is there a free way to search UCC filings?

Yes. Most Secretary of State websites allow basic UCC searches at no cost. However, detailed reports or certified copies often require a small fee. 

Are UCC filings public?

Yes. UCC filings are public records as they are intended to give notice to third parties about a secured interest. Anyone can search them, often through a tool on the Secretary of State's website.

How long does a UCC filing last?

A standard UCC-1 financing statement lasts five years. However, creditors are typically permitted to file a continuation before expiration to extend it another five years.

Can a UCC lien block a sale? 

If a UCC filing shows collateral is pledged, a buyer or lender may refuse to proceed until the lien is terminated or released by the secured party. Therefore, while a UCC filing does not automatically prevent a sale, it creates a secured interest that must be addressed at closing or the buyer may be subject to the lien.

What’s the difference between a UCC lien and a judgment lien? 

A UCC lien is a secured party’s public notice of a security interest in personal property. It arises from a voluntary loan or credit agreement and is filed by a creditor. On the other hand, a judgment lien arises from a court judgment and typically attaches to real property or is recorded in county records.

How do I remove or correct a UCC filing?

The secured party must file a termination or UCC-3 when the debt is paid off. If the filing has errors, a secured party or debtor can request an amendment through the Secretary of State’s office.

UCC filings serve the purpose of giving public notice of a creditor's claim on personal property. For anyone buying a business, extending credit, entering a partnership, checking these records is an important step in due diligence. By searching through the Secretary of State's UCC portal in the debtor's home state, you can determine whether assets are already pledged and avoid costly surprises.

Since search systems differ by state and some businesses may share similar names, you should double-check spellings and business structures before performing a search, and also request certified copies if official proof is needed.