Due diligence is significant when performing Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) searches. Originally designed to streamline commerce across all 50 states and territories, the process became more complex after the 2013 adjustments to UCC Revised Article Nine. 

Due diligence experts must adjust to this new environment in order to maintain their high levels of accuracy; even the simplest UCC searches and filings require strong attention to detail. Whether you’re conducting a single search or a more complex due diligence strategy, it’s crucial the search and filing results are clear, comprehensive, and accurate. 

Missed deadlines and improper filing and searches can lead to lost time and money for you and your clients. 

Tips for Retrieving Debtor Name: Accuracy Is Paramount 

Listing the correct debtor name on a UCC filing or search is critical. It sounds like an easy enough step, but unfortunately, it’s not that straightforward. 

Current law requires the debtor name to appear exactly as it is listed on the entity’s most recent charter document. It’s not as simple as checking the state website for the organization’s name or a Certificate of Good Standing. The information listed here is considered “compiled data”, meaning it was entered manually by someone working for the state. All states handle this process manually. 

If the information was entered incorrectly it could lead to serious errors or omissions on your UCC form. 

Even seemingly inconsequential mistakes or variations will affect your filing status. Examples include: 

•       Using an "&” instead of the word “and”
•       Making a singular company name plural
•       Using a DBA or FKA; this is a major mistake
•       Incorrect punctuation or including extra spaces
•       Using numerals when the numbers in the company name are spelled out

In some states, you can make one of the above mistakes on your UCC filing and be okay, while in others you could be creating a filing for a completely different entity. Not every state uses the same search logic. Don’t be fooled by the name; the UCC is anything but uniform. 

Just a quick note: you can still use a Certificate of Good Standing for other purposes, including to check a company’s viability. But don’t rely on these when searching for the correct name to enter on a UCC filing, especially after the 2013 changes to the law. 

A Single Space Renders a UCC Filing “Seriously Misleading”

The case of United States SEC v. ISC, Inc., 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 139258 (W.D. Wis. 8/30/17) highlights the importance of using the precise listing of a debtor’s name. In their original UCC filing with the Wisconsin Department of Finance Institutions, a creditor listed the debtor’s name as “ISC , Inc .” (with a space between the second “c” and the “.”) instead of “ISC, Inc.” (with no space between the second “c” and the “.”).

Because of Wisconsin's current search logic, “ISC, Inc.” (the correct legal name) did not appear in DFI record search results. The addition of this single space resulted in the creditor’s filing being found “seriously misleading”, and so the creditor was unable to perfect its security interest.

Listing Individuals in a UCC 

The majority of UCC filings involve corporations, LLCs and other business entities. When they involve individuals there’s even more room for error. 

The headaches come up when it’s time to determine the individual’s “exact full legal name”, as specified in UCC-1. Accuracy is just as important when dealing with individuals. Where to find this information depends on the state. 

There are two options listed: 

Alternative A: Driver’s license. To file, you must list the individual’s name exactly as it appears on his or her driver’s license. This option has been adopted by 43 states. 

Alternative B: the “Safe Harbor” option. This option gives the court the ability to come up with multiple names for an individual. For example, say someone’s driver’s license identifies him as “Steven Alexander Moore III”, but this person files taxes under the name “Steve Moore” and owns property as “Steven Moore”. In an Alternative B state, all variations would be accepted. Delaware is currently the most important UCC state that has adopted Alternative B. 

In an Alternative A state, the filing is crystal clear. But with Alternative B we’re in much murkier waters. How do you navigate? When in doubt, file against multiple names. Ask individuals what names they may have used in the past seven years, as well as the addresses they used during this time. The more data you collect the better. 

UCC Filing Checklist 

How do you ensure you cast a wide enough net when searching for information for your UCC filing? The following checklist will help you catch any wildcards: 

•          Ask for all names and address used in the past seven years
•          Look for former names, aliases, nicknames, and DBAs
•          Search past tax returns and credit reports, as well as pending litigation
•          Get driver licenses for all individuals
•          Find locations of old offices, or property owned or leased 

For more information on how you can best prepare for a UCC search or filing, watch the on-demand webinar, Modern Due Diligence Signposts. 

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Learn more about how CT can help with your UCC filing needs.  Call us at (844) 701-2064 (toll-free U.S.).