UCC filing rules by state

When you get a small business loan, you may be required to pledge collateral, in which case the lender will file a legal notice claiming your collateral. This UCC filing becomes part of the “public record” and may appear on your business credit reports. 

UCC filings are a common and legally recognized part of many business financing arrangements. And while they aren’t necessarily considered negative, they may sometimes affect your ability to secure additional financing. 

Although UCC filings are governed by the nationwide Uniform Commercial Code, the specific filing processes can vary somewhat by state, with variations in fees, forms, online systems, and filing requirements.

Whether you're checking for liens against your business or trying to remove outdated UCC filings, or simply want to understand why they are on your business credit reports, it can be helpful to understand your state's UCC filing rules. This guide provides direct access to each state's system and explains how UCC filings work.

UCC filing rules for each state

Each state operates its UCC filing system through the Secretary of State, Uniform Commercial Code Division, Central Filing Office, or a similar department. These offices maintain public records of all UCC financing statements filed in the state and may  also accept federal tax liens.

Access your state's UCC filing system, search tools, fee schedules, and filing requirements through the links below:

Filing rules vary by state

Most states now allow creditors to file online through dedicated UCC portals. California, Texas, Florida, and New York have particularly strong systems with real-time processing.

But some states still require paper filings for certain amendments or corrections. A few use hybrid systems where creditors file online but mail supporting documents separately. 

States with stronger online systems may also make it easier for business owners to check and confirm information online.

Fees

Basic UCC-1 financing statement fees vary widely.

• Low-cost states: Wyoming and Nebraska charge around $10
• High-cost states: California and New York charge $100 or more
• Amendment filings (UCC-3 forms) typically cost less, but amounts vary

Some states charge per page for longer documents. Others use flat fees regardless of length. Search fees also differ—some states offer free searches, while others charge $25 or more for certified copies.

Processing speeds 

States with modern online systems often process electronic filings same-day or next-day. Older systems may take several business days to a week. Many states offer expedited service for extra fees, cutting processing time to just a few days.

If you take out new financing and aren’t sure whether a lien will be filed (or what type), or if you discover a UCC filing that needs to be addressed quickly before you apply for additional financing. 

Search tools

Search capabilities vary dramatically by state. Some offer sophisticated tools letting you search by debtor name, secured party, file number, or collateral type. Others provide only basic name searches.

Delaware and Nevada offer advanced filtering and downloadable results. Less advanced states may require manual searches or phone calls for anything beyond simple name lookups.

Form requirements

Despite standardized national UCC forms, some states require their own versions with additional fields or different layouts. Others accept standard forms but enforce strict formatting rules on margins, font sizes, or paper quality for mailed submissions.

Louisiana, for example, has unique provisions reflecting its civil law heritage rather than common law traditions. These differences could affect the accuracy of records that may appear on business credit reports. 

How states handle expired filings differs

Some states automatically purge expired UCC filings from active databases after the five-year expiration (sometimes with a grace period of up to a year after that time). Others maintain them indefinitely as historical records. And some fall in between. 

This may affect whether terminated liens continue appearing in search results and for how long.

Agricultural liens

States with large agricultural industries often have special provisions for farm-product filings, warehouse receipts, and livestock liens. These may require:

• Different forms
• Different filing locations (sometimes county-level rather than state-level)
• Additional parties like agricultural boards

Fixture filings

When collateral becomes attached to real property—like HVAC systems or built-in equipment—filing requirements vary. Some states require dual filing: both a UCC financing statement and a fixture filing in the real property records. Other states handle fixture filings entirely through the UCC system.

Debtor names create

Since the debtor name is the main search tool, creditors need to get it right. If the business is an LLC or corporation, the legal name is required. 

Some states require specific formats for individual names, particular treatment of suffixes (Jr., Sr., III), or exact matching with driver's license names. Minor variations in debtor names can render filed liens ineffective.

Multi-state operations

If your business has locations, assets, or operations in multiple states, UCC liens may be filed in more than one state.

Generally, creditors file in the state where the business is incorporated or formed. But there are exceptions for certain collateral types like vehicles, timber, and as-extracted collateral.

What are UCC filings and why do they matter

The Uniform Commercial Code gives us consistent rules for commercial transactions across all 50 states. UCC filings—also called UCC liens or UCC-1 financing statements—are how lenders publicly claim their interest in your business assets.

How UCC filings work

When you borrow money and pledge equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, or other assets as collateral, your lender files a public notice with your state. This creates a legal claim that lenders can enforce if you default.

The filing does three things:

• Gives public notice of the lender's security interest in your assets
• Establishes priority among creditors (first to file gets first claim)
• Lets other lenders and vendors see existing claims before doing business with you

Why UCC filings affect your credit

Business credit bureaus may include UCC filings in your business credit reports, or lenders may search public records. Either way, lenders see these liens and know your assets are already pledged to other creditors.

Less available collateral can mean higher risk for them. Lenders may decline your application or charge higher interest rates to offset their risk.

Multiple UCC filings—especially blanket liens covering all your business assets—can make it harder to get new loans or lines of credit. Even with excellent payment history and strong credit scores, extensive liens can signal you've committed most or all assets to other lenders.

The termination problem

UCC filings do not automatically disappear when you pay off debt. The lender must file a UCC-3 termination statement to release the lien.

Some lenders delay this step or forget entirely. The debt may be sold, which can also lead to incorrect information. 

Outdated filings may affect your creditworthiness. Check your business credit reports regularly and confirm the lender will be filing a termination statement immediately after you pay off secured loans.

What are the types of UCC forms?

The UCC filing system uses several standardized forms. Some states have additional state-specific forms, but these core forms are used nationwide. Here's what each one does:

UCC-1 financing statement 

This is the main document that creates the lien. It identifies your business (the debtor), the lender (secured party), and describes the collateral like specific equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, or all business assets.

The filing stays active for five years unless amended or terminated. (Wyoming has a 10-year period and some specific types of financing require longer periods.) This is what you'll see most often when checking liens against your business.

UCC-3 financing statement amendment 

This is the form for changing existing UCC filings. Lenders use it to:

• Continue financing statements beyond five years
• Terminate liens when loans are paid off
• Assign loans to another lender
• Release some collateral while keeping the lien on other assets

When you pay off a secured loan, the lender should file a UCC-3 termination to release the lien.

UCC-11 search request 

You can use this form to get copies of UCC filings from state records. You can request specific filings by file number or get a complete list of all filings for your business. (Fees are likely involved. See the link to state by state information above.) 

Search results include the initial UCC-1, any amendments, and current status of each lien.

UCC-1a financing statement addendum 

This provides extra space when the main UCC-1 form runs out of room. This is filed with the original UCC-1 and uses the same file number. Common when:

• Multiple parties are obligated on the loan
• Several lenders are involved
• Collateral descriptions are lengthy or complex

UCC-1ap financing statement additional party 

Similar to the 1a but focuses specifically on adding multiple debtors or secured parties. It may be used in partnership loans where all partners are liable, or syndicated lending with multiple financial institutions.

UCC-3a and UCC-3ap amendment addendum forms 

These provide extra space for amendments—3a for collateral descriptions, 3ap for additional parties and are commonly used in partial releases or when loans are restructured.

UCC-5 information request or correction statement 

This is how you formally dispute a UCC filing you believe is inaccurate or unauthorized. Filing a UCC-5 doesn't remove the challenged filing, but it adds your objection to the public record. Anyone searching later will see the original filing and your correction statement explaining why you dispute it.

Where to find forms

Most states provide fillable PDF versions on their Secretary of State websites (or similar office) and many now offer online filing systems where you complete forms electronically.

When working with UCC forms, accuracy is critical. Even small errors in debtor names, addresses, or collateral descriptions can make filings legally ineffective. Many businesses hire UCC search companies or attorneys to file and search UCC records to ensure forms are completed correctly and filings are properly perfected.

How to search for UCC filings

You can search for UCC filings in two places: business credit reports and state public records.

Start with business credit reports

A good place to start is to get your business credit reports with major business credit bureaus, including Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) and Experian. (Equifax* does not report UCC filings but it will report other types of liens that are in the public record.)  

The advantage of checking through your credit reports is that these reports aggregate information from multiple states. If you have liens in different jurisdictions, you may find them in one place.

The limitation is that credit bureaus update periodically, not in real-time. Filings or terminations may take time to appear. And some liens may not show up at all, or you may not see as many details as you would with full state filing information.

*Information about Equifax reporting policies was gathered independently by Nav. 

Search state records for complete information

Each state's Secretary of State website or similar agency maintains searchable databases of all UCC filings. See the list with links to state agencies above. These provide real-time information and full details.

Most state systems let you search by:

• Debtor name (to check liens against your business)
• Secured party name (to see all liens filed by a specific lender)
• File number (when you know the specific filing)
• Collateral type (in some states)

Enter your exact legal business name, as it appears on formation documents.

What you'll see in search results

• File number: Unique identifier for the filing. Use this to request full copies of the filing.
• Filing date: When the UCC-1 was originally filed. 
• Expiration date: When the five-year term ends (unless the lender files a continuation). UCC liens last for ten years in Wyoming. 
• Debtor information: Your business's legal name and address. Check this carefully—errors can render filings legally ineffective, but they still appear in searches and on credit reports.
• Secured party: The lender who filed the lien. This is who you contact to request termination if you’ve paid off the debt. 
• Collateral description: What assets are covered. This ranges from very specific ("2024 Ford F-150, VIN 1FTFW1E88PFC12345") to extremely broad ("all inventory, equipment, accounts receivable, and general intangibles, whether now owned or hereafter acquired").
• Status: Active, expired, or terminated. Only active filings protect the lender's security interest. Filings that are active may affect your ability to get additional business financing. 
• Associated filings: Any amendments, continuations, assignments, or partial releases connected to the original UCC-1. 

What to look for

When you see UCC filings on your credit reports, or you find them in public records, look for: 

• Outdated liens that should have been updated to terminated after you paid off loans
• Blanket liens that should have been replaced by more specific liens
• Inaccurate information that could create problems

Search costs

Some states charge for searches. Basic online searches may be free, but you may have to pay for more detailed searches for certified copies which you need in order to dispute filings or prove termination.

Because these are important to future financing, it’s a good idea to check for this type of information. 

1. Check business credit reports on a regular basis. Business credit monitoring can give you monthly updates. 
2. Search state records once a year if you’ve previously obtained small business financing to make sure your information is correct. 
3. Check UCC filings when you pay off financing, or before applying for new financing.
4. If your business operates in multiple states, search each state where you have operations, formation documents, or assets.

Managing UCC filings requires understanding not just how they work, but also how to handle various scenarios that can arise during the life of your business. Here are answers to common questions about perfecting and maintaining UCC liens.

Managing UCC filings requires understanding not just how they work, but also how to handle various scenarios that can arise during the life of your business. Here are answers to common questions about perfecting and maintaining UCC liens.

Frequently asked questions