UCC Search: Meaning in a Merchant Cash Advance
A UCC search is a lookup in a state's secretary of state database for financing statements filed against a business. It shows who has claimed an interest in the business's assets, when they filed and whether any filing has been amended or ended.
What does UCC search mean?
Most states offer a free or low-cost search online. You type the exact legal name of your business and get a list of filings, each with a file number, date, secured party and collateral description. Paid search companies run the same lookup across several states and name variations, which catches filings made under a misspelled or older name.
Why does UCC search matter to your business?
Every serious funder runs this search before making an offer. If it finds a filing you forgot, or one from an advance you paid off years ago that was never terminated, the file stalls while you explain it. Running the search yourself first means you walk in knowing what they will find, with payoff letters ready for anything closed.
How do you run a useful search?
- Search the exact registered name, including "LLC" or "Inc."
- Try common variations: without punctuation, with "The," or with an old name.
- Save each result with its file number and lapse date.
- Mark each filing as open, paid, or unknown.
What do you do with what you find?
For paid filings, ask the secured party for a UCC-3 termination. For unknown ones, compare the secured party's name to past contracts. For open ones, list the current balance, since the next funder will ask for it.
Where will you see it?
On the secretary of state website for the state where your business is organized, which isn't always where it operates. In a funder's underwriting notes. In a bank's closing checklist.
Which terms are related to UCC search?
The full list is in the glossary. Owners ask about this in How do I find UCC filings on my business?.
A term on your offer you don't recognize?
Send us the line and we'll tell you what it means. Call 877-FUND-654 with any question. We call you back, usually the same business day, and we always talk with you before we shop your file.