How do I look up a UCC lien?
Rachel Ross
Updated on March 11, 2026
How do I look up a UCC lien?
Searching Secretary of State Records Online. Locate the correct secretary of state’s website. UCC financing statement forms must be filed in the state where the borrower is located. Most states have online directories of UCC filings available on the secretary of state’s website.
How do I find my UCC filings in Michigan?
You can find Uniform Commercial Code information on any person or corporation in Michigan or other states by performing a search on the UCC website of the state or territory where the person resides or the corporation is registered.
Does Michigan follow the UCC?
Nearly every state has adopted its own version of the UCC, including Michigan.
How much does a UCC search cost?
A UCC filing is $40 for a paper-based filing and $20 for an electronic filing (using XML transmission or e-File). The UCC search fee is $25. A separate Information Request (Form UCC-11) is required for each business or name to be searched.
What is a UCC search in real estate?
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings allow creditors to notify other creditors about a debtor’s assets used as collateral for a secured transaction. UCC liens filed with Secretary of State offices act as a public notice by the “creditor” of the creditor’s interest in the property.
Can you file a UCC on an individual?
In all cases, you should file a UCC-1 with the secretary of state’s office in the state where the debtor is incorporated or organized (if a business), or lives (if an individual).
Is Michigan a lien holder state?
Michigan is one of only nine states that are “non-title holding” states, in which titles are mailed to the owner rather than the lien holder. These states include: Arizona, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
What is UCC filing in Michigan?
UCC Overview Uniform Commercial Code law governs commercial transactions. Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code designates the office of the Secretary of State for the filing and searching of secured transaction documents.
Is the UCC legally binding in all states?
The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is a set of laws that provide legal rules and regulations governing commercial or business dealings and transactions. The code has the effect of law only when it is adopted by different states. The UCC has been adopted by all 50 states of the U.S, although with variations.
Can a UCC be filed on an individual?
In all cases, you should file a UCC-1 with the secretary of state’s office in the state where the debtor is incorporated or organized (if a business), or lives (if an individual). Secretaries of state have websites set up where you can file a UCC-1.
Can you file a UCC-1 without a security agreement?
It should be noted that UCC financing statements filed now generally do not contain a grant of the security interest and generally are not signed or otherwise authenticated by the Debtor and therefore would not satisfy the requirement of a security agreement.
How do I remove a UCC lien?
Ask the lender to terminate the lien upon payoff. When you pay off a loan, a good rule of thumb is to immediately submit a request with the lender to file a UCC-3 form with your secretary of state. The UCC-3 will terminate the lien on your company’s asset (or assets) and remove the UCC-1 filing.
How to check UCC filings?
Locate the correct secretary of state’s website. UCC financing statement forms must be filed in the state where the borrower is located.
When to file an UCC?
If you funded your business through startup or small-business loans, the lender may require you to file a UCC financing statement. These documents are filed when you secure the loan with personal or business assets, and create a lien on those assets.
Where should UCC be filed?
A UCC-1 is a document to perfect a lien on personal property of the debtor. Thus, the UCC-1 should be filed in the county of the jurisdiction where the property is actually located.
Who can file an UCC?
Lenders can file UCC liens against businesses or individuals. They work on a first-come-first-serve basis, so if there is a default, the first lender to file a UCC lien will have the first rights to that asset. The lender is reserving its spot in line to collect on the assets a business pledges to them.