Why lenders file them
When a business borrows against its assets, the lender files a UCC-1 so other creditors know it has a claim. If the business defaults, the lender that filed first generally gets paid first from that property. Lenders, buyers and landlords search UCC records before they deal with a business.
Where they're filed and how long they last
For an LLC or corporation, the UCC-1 is normally filed in the state where the company was formed, usually with the Secretary of State. A filing generally lasts five years, unless the lender files a continuation. When a loan is paid off, the borrower can ask the lender to file a termination (UCC-3).
Where to search UCC filings in each state
| State | Filing office | Online search | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Secretary of State | Free | Alabama UCC search |
| Alaska | Alaska Department of Natural Resources | Free | Alaska UCC search |
| Arizona | Arizona Secretary of State | Free | Arizona UCC search |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Secretary of State | Free | Arkansas UCC search |
| California | California Secretary of State | Free | California UCC search |
| Colorado | Colorado Secretary of State | Free | Colorado UCC search |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Secretary of the State | Free | Connecticut UCC search |
| Delaware | Delaware Division of Corporations | Paid | Delaware UCC search |
| District of Columbia | DC Office of the Recorder of Deeds (Office of Tax and Revenue) | Free | District of Columbia UCC search |
| Florida | Florida Secured Transaction Registry | Free | Florida UCC search |
| Georgia | Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) | Paid | Georgia UCC search |
| Hawaii | Bureau of Conveyances (Department of Land and Natural Resources) | Free | Hawaii UCC search |
| Idaho | Idaho Secretary of State | Free | Idaho UCC search |
| Illinois | Illinois Secretary of State | Free | Illinois UCC search |
| Indiana | Indiana Secretary of State | Free | Indiana UCC search |
| Iowa | Iowa Secretary of State | Not stated | Iowa UCC search |
| Kansas | Kansas Secretary of State | Paid | Kansas UCC search |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Secretary of State | Free | Kentucky UCC search |
| Louisiana | Louisiana parish Clerks of Court (the Secretary of State keeps the statewide UCC database) | Paid | Louisiana UCC search |
| Maine | Maine Secretary of State | Free | Maine UCC search |
| Maryland | Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) | Not stated | Maryland UCC search |
| Massachusetts | Secretary of the Commonwealth | Free | Massachusetts UCC search |
| Michigan | Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State) | Free | Michigan UCC search |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Secretary of State | Paid | Minnesota UCC search |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Secretary of State | Free | Mississippi UCC search |
| Missouri | Missouri Secretary of State | Paid | Missouri UCC search |
| Montana | Montana Secretary of State | Free | Montana UCC search |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Secretary of State | Paid | Nebraska UCC search |
| Nevada | Nevada Secretary of State | Paid | Nevada UCC search |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Secretary of State | Paid | New Hampshire UCC search |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services | Paid | New Jersey UCC search |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Secretary of State | Free | New Mexico UCC search |
| New York | New York Department of State | Not stated | New York UCC search |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Secretary of State | Free | North Carolina UCC search |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Secretary of State (North Dakota Central Indexing System) | Free | North Dakota UCC search |
| Ohio | Ohio Secretary of State | Free | Ohio UCC search |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma County Clerk (UCC Central Filing Office) | Free | Oklahoma UCC search |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Department of State | Free | Pennsylvania UCC search |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Department of State | Free | Rhode Island UCC search |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Secretary of State | Paid | South Carolina UCC search |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Secretary of State | Paid | South Dakota UCC search |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Secretary of State | Free | Tennessee UCC search |
| Texas | Texas Secretary of State | Paid | Texas UCC search |
| Vermont | Vermont Secretary of State | Free | Vermont UCC search |
| Virginia | Virginia State Corporation Commission | Free | Virginia UCC search |
| Washington | Washington State Department of Licensing | Free | Washington UCC search |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Secretary of State | Paid | West Virginia UCC search |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions | Free | Wisconsin UCC search |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Secretary of State | Paid | Wyoming UCC search |
From our state guides, each checked against the state's official site. Click a state for the full guide and sources.