What is a UCC?

A UCC or Uniform Commercial Code is a public notice indicating a commercial agreement between a debtor and a secured party for personal property purchased with a loan.

More specifically, a UCC-1 Initial Financing Statement gives lenders a claim on assets a debtor pledges as security interest, such as when an individual obtains a mortgage for a home. The home is the collateral pledged for the property. With the UCC-1 filed, the homeowner can’t take out another loan on the home without first paying off the initial loan.

What information does a UCC search show?

Filing number, filing type, filing date, lapse date, debtor and secured party name and address.

Why is a UCC needed?

A UCC filing is needed in order to document when there has been a lien filed for collateral. This is important because if a lender has a security interest in collateral another lender will need to know before making a loan, in order to preserve the creditor’s interest. 

Where is a UCC filed in Maryland?

A UCC filed in the state of Maryland is done through the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation

How much does a UCC lien search cost in Maryland?

A basic search is free. A certified search response costs $7. Searchers may also hire a company recommended by Maryland to carry out an extensive UCC search for an additional cost.

How to do a UCC search in Maryland

Step 1 – Go to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation website

Step 2 – Click on Businesses at the top of the page

Step 3 – Scroll down to the middle of the page and click UCC Online: Electronic Filing, Search Filings, Document Retrieval & Order Copies

Step 4 – Click on File / Search Now

Step 5 – Choose the kind of search you would like to conduct under UCC Search and Retrieval

Step 6 – Fill in the appropriate information, check off “I’m not a robot” and click Search

Contact one of the several UCC search providers listed on the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website. 

How do I find out if a business is registered in Maryland?

Corporations and LLCs are required to register with the state. Learn how to do a business entity search in Maryland.

What is a UCC?

A UCC, which is short for Uniform Commercial Code, covers personal property used as collateral by a debtor to secure a loan.

For instance, when an individual obtains a mortgage for a home, the lender (financial institutions, credit unions, banks, etc.) uses the borrower’s personal property as collateral to secure property. With the UCC Initial Financing Statement filed, the homeowner can’t take out another loan on the home without first paying off the initial loan.

What information does a UCC search show?

Debtor name, file number, time and date of filing, name of the secured entity, lapse date.

Also see: How to do a Maine business entity search

Why is a UCC needed?

To act as public notice by the creditor of the creditors interest in the property.

Where is a UCC filed in Maine?

UCC liens are filed with the Maine Department of the Secretary of State’s office.

How much does a UCC search cost in Maine?

An unofficial debtor search is a free service. The filing fee for a certified debtor search is $12

How to do a UCC search in Maine

Step 1 – Go to the Maine Department of Secretary of State’, Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions website to start an online UCC search.

Step 2 – Click on Corporations, Elections & Commissions at the top of the page.

Step 3 – Click on Uniform Commercial Code on the left side of the page and then click on UCC Search

Step 4 – Click on UCC Interactive Search highlighted in blue

Step 5 – Select a payment option and click Search Now at the bottom of the page

What is a UCC?

A UCC, which is short for Uniform Commercial Code, is a notice that a lender files with the government when they have secured a loan or financing with a debtor’s assets.

For instance, when an individual obtains a mortgage for a home, the lender uses the borrower’s personal property as collateral to secure property. With the UCC-1f filed, the homeowner can’t take out another loan on the home without first paying off the initial loan.

What information does a UCC search show?

The UCC filing search will show the debtor name and address, secured party name and address, filing date, filing number, filing type.

Also see: How to do a Louisiana business entity search

Why is a UCC needed?

To protect lenders and creditors in allowing them to register a lien

Where is a UCC filed in Louisiana?

Louisiana is unique compared to other states as they adopted a statewide notification system that replaced Louisiana’s chattel mortgage laws. Instead of filing with the Louisiana Secretary of State, Uniform Commercial Code filings are recorded through any of the 64 parish filing offices. 

How much does a UCC search cost in Louisiana?

The fee to do a UCC lien search in Louisiana is $30 per debtor name or $400 for a subscription to the Louisiana UCC database providing unlimited searches.

How to do a UCC search in Louisiana

Step 1 – Go to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website

Step 2 – Click on Business Services at the top of the page and then click on Uniform Commercial Code in the drop down menu

Step 3 – Click on Uniform Commercial Code and then How to Search for Financing Statements on the left side of the page

Step 4 – Click on “Clerk of the Court” or “application form” highlighted in blue to be taken to directions for requesting a search or the application for a subscription.

What is a UCC?

A UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) notice is registered by a lender when a loan is taken out against a single asset or a group of assets.

What information does a UCC search show?

UCC filings show the debtor’s name, file number, date, and time, secured party, lapse date.

Also see: How to do a Kentucky business entity search

Why is a UCC needed?

To give notice to a debtor that a lender has a security interest in personal property or business collateral.

Where is a UCC filed in Kentucky?

Most UCCs are filed with the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office. Real estate liens are filed with the County Clerk’s office in the county where the real estate is located. 

How much does a UCC search cost in Kentucky?

A non-certified search is free, however, the fee for a certified search and certified copy is $5.

How to do a UCC search in Kentucky

Step 1 – Go to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website

Step 2 – Click on business and then UCC

Step 3 – Click on UCC on the left side of the page and then click on UCC Online Services

Step 4 – Click UCC Index Search

Step 5 – Fill in the appropriate information and click search

What is a UCC?

A UCC, which is short for Uniform Commercial Code, is a document that a lender files with the government when they have secured a loan or financing using assets used by a borrower to secure the loan.

The UCC filing is commonly used when an individual obtains a mortgage for real estate. The real estate is the collateral pledged for the property. With the UCC-1 filed, the homeowner can’t take out another loan on the home without first paying off the initial loan.

What information does a UCC search show?

The UCC search with the Kansas Secretary of State does not show liens on real estate. Those are recorded at the county Register of Deeds office and must be viewed there. 

The Secretary of State UCC search will show the debtor and creditor name, address, UCC file number, type of document filed, date filed.

Why is a UCC needed?

To inform debtors and creditors of outstanding security interests in personal property.

Where is a UCC filed in Kansas?

Online or in person with the Secretary of State’s office.

How much does a UCC search cost in Kanas?

Both an official and unofficial debtor search costs $10 per debtor name. An official debtor search by paper has a $20 fee.

How to do a UCC search in Kansas

Step 1 – Go to the Kansas Secretary of State’s website

Step 2 – Click on Business Services and then UCC FAQ

Step 3 – Scroll down to the middle of the page under UCC Debtor Search Requests. Under the first question click on the word “here” to create an account and conduct a search.

How do I find out who owns a business in Kansas?

The Kansas Secretary of State has a business entity database search for Kansas-based businesses.

What is a UCC?

A UCC, short for Uniform Commercial Code, is a lien filed by a creditor to declare its right to seize certain collateral of a debtor who defaults on a loan or so a borrower can’t take out multiple loans on the same asset. 

A UCC in Iowa is for any asset with the exception of real estate liens, which are filed at the Recorders Office in the county where the real estate is located. 

Here, we provide info on what UCCs are and the instructions on how to search. 

What information does a UCC search show?

Debtor’s name and address, contact information of the secured parties, UCC number, type of document, date and time of filing. 

Also see: How to do an Iowa business entity search

Why is a UCC needed?

To notify debtors that a creditor has a security interest in the debtor’s personal or business assets.

Where is a UCC filed in Iowa?

A UCC Financing Statement is filed through the Iowa Secretary of State’s office.

How much does a UCC search cost in Iowa?

An Iowa UCC search is free using the state database.

The filing fee for county real estate UCC filings is $7 for the first page and $5 for each additional page.

How to do a UCC search in Iowa

Step 1 – Go to the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

Step 2 – Click on Search Databases and then UCC Certified

Step 3 – Select the kind of search you would like to carry out and fill in the boxes with the appropriate information

For more information, contact:

Iowa Secretary of State
1st Floor, Lucas Bldg.
321 E. 12th St. Des Moines, IA 50319

Phone: 515-281-5204
Fax: 515-242-5953
Email: sos@sos.state.ia.us

An Indiana UCC (Uniform Commercial Code), also known as a UCC-1 Financing Statement, is a lien filed by a creditor to protect their interest when making a loan.  This lien exists until the debt is paid for and can be placed on any personal property such as vehicles, equipment and more. A UCC filing does not apply for real estate.  UCC filings protect lenders should the borrower stop paying on the debt or declare bankruptcy.  The UCC provides documentation for the lender and allows the ability to foreclose or force the sale of the property to pay back the debt.

The ability to do a UCC search is important because if multiple creditors have a lien on the same property and the debtor tries to additional mortgages on the same property, those creditors would be looking at a loss as the collateral would likely not have enough value to satisfy the debts.

How does the UCC filing process work?

Once approved for secured financing, a creditor files a UCC-1 Financing Statement with the Indiana Secretary of State which creates a lien against the collateral.

The Indiana UCC Financing Statement contains:

• Debtor name and address
• Creditor name and address
• Information about the collateral.

All UCC filings in Indiana will go through the Secretary of State’s office except for collateral that is timber to be cut or extracted minerals.  These filings are done through the county recorder’s office in the county where the collateral is located.

UCC liens are active in Indiana for 5 years from the date of filing in most cases.  Filings are renewable for long-term debts and filings can be amended to update lender’s position of the secured collateral.

How much does an Indiana UCC search cost?

A UCC-1 Financing Statement search is free if a simple search is done.  If you want an image of the statement, the cost is $20.

How to search for a UCC filing in Indiana

Step 1 – Visit the Indiana Secretary of State’s website

Step 2 – Click on “Search Now”

Step 3 – Log into your INBIZ Access Indiana Account

Step 4 – Click on UCC Search, then select by the way you want to search either by the debtor’s personal name, business name, a keyword or file number.

What is a UCC?

A UCC is a legal form that proves a lender or creditor has secured certain pieces of personal or business assets in the case of default.

A UCC-1 Initial Financing Statement gives lenders a claim on assets a debtor pledges as security interest, such as when an individual obtains a mortgage for a home. The home is the collateral pledged for the property. With the UCC-1 filed, the homeowner can’t take out another loan on the home without first paying off the initial loan.

What does a UCC search show?

Lien type, name of the debtor or entity details, file number, secured party info, filing date and lapse date.

Also see: How to do an Idaho business entity search

Why is a UCC needed?

For creditors to notify debtors that they have a security interest in their personal or business assets.

Where is a UCC filed in Idaho?

Under Idaho Code § 28-9-310(a), a UCC Financing Statement is filed with the Idaho Secretary of State’s office.

How much does a UCC search cost in Idaho?

A basic UCC lien search is free. However, a non certified search with access to copies of the documents filed is $3 and requires an account. A certified search ranges from $10 to $26 per search.

For an official copy, Form UCC-4 “Request for Information or Copies” is filed with the Idaho Secretary of State. 

How to do a UCC search in Idaho

Step 1 – Go to the Idaho Secretary of State’s website

Step 2 – Click on Business Services and then Uniform Commercial Code

Step 3 – Select UCC Search in the middle of the page

Step 4 – Fill in the appropriate information and click search

What is a UCC?

A UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) is a legal form related to security interests in personal property. 

More specifically, a UCC-1 Initial Financing Statement gives lenders a claim on assets a debtor pledges as security interest, such as when an individual obtains a mortgage for a home. The home is the collateral pledged for the property. With the UCC-1 filed, the homeowner can’t take out another loan on the home without first paying off the initial loan.

What information does a UCC search show?

A UCC search in Hawaii will show the name of the debtor and creditor, document type, and filing date.

Also see: How to do a Hawaii business entity search

Why is a UCC needed?

A UCC lien provides the public notice necessary to lenders so they can claim any assets a debtor pledges as collateral.

Where is a UCC filed in Hawaii?

Online with the State of Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances

How much does a UCC search cost in Hawaii?

There is a fee $25 per UCC search request plus $5 for each creditor found. There is an additional fee of $1 per page for copies requested.

How to do a UCC search in Hawaii

Step 1 – Go to the State of Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances website.

Step 2 – Scroll halfway down the page and click on online records under Obtaining Copies of Documents

Step 3 – Create an account or a non-subscriber account

Step 4 – Fill in the appropriate search information

Is a UCC considered a lien?

A UCC statement creates a lien on the collateral as of the date of filing.

What is a UCC?

A UCC filing (Uniform Commercial Code) is a document related to security interests in personal property.  Formally referred to as a UCC-1 Initial Financing Statement, this is a lien that gives lenders a claim on assets a debtor pledges as security interest, such as when an individual obtains a mortgage for real estate. The home’s deed is the collateral pledged for the property. With the UCC-1 filed, the homeowner can’t take out another loan on the home.

What information does a UCC search show?

The document number, name of the debtor, name of the secured party, legal description of the collateral, type of document, amount of the lien, record number, date of execution, and lapse date.

Why is a UCC needed?

A UCC is used to inform debtors and creditors of outstanding security interests in real property, such as real estate, fixtures, equipment, and other assets. 

Where is a UCC Financing Statement filed in Georgia?

Unlike most states where UCC filings are made with the Secretary of State, UCC filings are done locally through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA)

How much does a UCC search cost in Georgia?

Searchers must create an account to conduct a search. Limited use accounts are free and allow searchers to view an index of UCC filings and summary information for each instrument. A Single Use account has a one time activation fee of $5 and gives users 4 hours to complete their search. A Regular Account is $11.95 per month per user and allows full searches of the online files. A Premium Account is $24.95 per month per user. 

There is a $10 filing fee per debtor name for a certified UCC search.

How to do a UCC search in Georgia

Step 1 – Go to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority website and click Search on the home page.

Step 2 – Click UCC Index or Premium Search

Step 3 – Choose the kind of search you would like to conduct and fill in the appropriate information.

How long does a UCC last in Georgia

A UCC-1 Financing Statement filed in Georgia remains valid for a period of five years from the date of filing. 

What is a UCC?

A UCC filing (Uniform Commercial Code) is a document related to security interests in personal property.  Formally referred to as a UCC-1 Initial Financing Statement, this is a lien that gives lenders a claim on assets a debtor pledges as security interest, such as when an individual obtains a mortgage for real estate. The home’s deed is the collateral pledged for the property. With the UCC-1 filed, the homeowner can’t take out another loan on the home.

What information does a UCC search show?

The document number, name of the debtor, name of the secured party, legal description of the collateral, type of document, amount of the lien, record number, date of execution, and lapse date.

Also see: How to do a business entity search in Georgia

Why is a UCC needed?

A UCC is used to inform debtors and creditors of outstanding security interests in real property, such as real estate, fixtures, equipment, and other assets. 

Where is a UCC Financing Statement filed in Georgia?

Unlike most states where UCC filings are made with the Secretary of State, UCC filings are done locally through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA)

How much does a UCC search cost in Georgia?

Searchers must create an account to conduct a search. Limited use accounts are free and allow searchers to view an index of UCC filings and summary information for each instrument. A Single Use account has a one time activation fee of $5 and gives users 4 hours to complete their search. A Regular Account is $11.95 per month per user and allows full searches of the online files. A Premium Account is $24.95 per month per user. 

There is a $10 filing fee per debtor name for a certified UCC search.

How to do a UCC search in Georgia

Step 1 – Go to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority website and click Search on the home page.

Step 2 – Click UCC Index or Premium Search

Step 3 – Choose the kind of search you would like to conduct and fill in the appropriate information.