If you're trying to perform a UCC lien search in NY, the New York State Department of State provides an official public search system for locating Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and related filings.
A New York UCC search can help you determine whether a lender, merchant cash advance (MCA) company, equipment financing provider, or another secured party has filed a financing statement naming your business.
The fastest place to start is the New York Department of State's UCC search. Select the option to search by debtor, filing number, or secured party, then review the matching records.
Finding a UCC filing does not automatically mean your business is in default, that the creditor has a valid claim to every listed asset, or that a court has entered judgment against you.
The filing is public notice of a claimed interest. Understanding its actual legal effect requires reviewing the underlying agreement and applicable law.
This guide explains how to search New York UCC records, read the results, identify merchant cash advance filings, and evaluate what to do if a financing statement is inaccurate, outdated, or disputed.
How to Perform a UCC Lien Search in New York
You can begin a New York UCC lien search using the state's official Department of State website.
Follow these steps.
Step 1: Open the Official New York UCC Search
Visit the New York State Department of State's Uniform Commercial Code page.
Under UCC/Lien Search, the Department provides options to search:
By debtor
By filing number
By secured party
These searches serve different purposes.
A debtor search identifies filings associated with a named business or individual. A filing-number search can help locate a specific record. A secured-party search can help identify filings associated with a particular creditor.
Step 2: Search Using the Correct Legal Business Name
If you're looking for UCC filings against your business, begin with its exact legal name.
For example, if your business is registered as Hudson Hospitality Group LLC, do not rely solely on its restaurant's public-facing trade name.
The entity's registered name may differ from its DBA, brand, or storefront name.
Review the spelling, punctuation, and entity designation used in the relevant business records.
If the business has operated under multiple legal names, consider checking those names separately.
A search for an individual owner may also be relevant when the filing names that person as a debtor.
Step 3: Review the Matching UCC Records
The search may identify financing statements and related filing records.
Look for information such as:
Debtor name
Secured party name
Filing number
Filing date
Filing type
Amendments
Continuations
Assignments
Termination statements
Available financing statement images
The public UCC database can also contain notices of federal tax liens. Those should be distinguished from ordinary UCC-1 financing statements.
Step 4: Review the Collateral Description
If a financing statement names your company, inspect the filing itself rather than relying only on a search-result summary.
The collateral description may identify categories such as:
Accounts receivable
Inventory
Equipment
General intangibles
Payment rights
Certain proceeds
Other specified business property
Some filings use broad collateral descriptions.
However, the financing statement's wording alone does not establish the existence or enforceability of every claimed security interest.
The underlying contract and the applicable Uniform Commercial Code provisions remain important.
Step 5: Check for Amendments and Terminations
An initial filing may have been amended, assigned, continued, or terminated.
Review the filing history to determine whether subsequent documents affect the original statement.
For example, a financing statement may still appear in the public record even after a termination statement has been filed.
The filing history must be considered together, rather than assuming the original filing remains effective.
Step 6: Save the Records
If a filing concerns your business, save copies of the search results and available documents.
Record the filing number, filing date, debtor name, secured party, and any amendments.
These details can be useful when requesting official copies, contacting the secured party, or discussing the matter with an attorney.
What Is a UCC Lien in New York?
A UCC lien generally refers to a claimed security interest in certain personal property, commonly disclosed through a UCC-1 financing statement.
Under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, many commercial financing arrangements involve security interests in business assets.
Examples include:
Commercial lending
Equipment financing
Inventory financing
Secured lines of credit
Certain assignments of receivables
Merchant cash advance arrangements
A UCC-1 financing statement typically identifies the debtor, secured party, and covered collateral.
A UCC-1 is a notice filing, not a court judgment.
The filing does not necessarily establish that the underlying obligation is valid, that the debtor has defaulted, or that the creditor may immediately seize assets.
The New York Department of State describes UCC-1 filings as public notice of a creditor's claimed interest in a debtor's property.
What Information Can a New York UCC Search Reveal?
A UCC search can help identify which creditors have filed financing statements naming a particular debtor.
| Search Result | What It May Tell You |
|---|---|
| UCC-1 financing statement | An initial public filing concerning a claimed security interest |
| UCC-3 amendment | A subsequent change relating to an existing financing statement |
| Continuation | A filing intended to extend the effectiveness of an eligible financing statement |
| Assignment | A change involving a secured party's interest of record |
| Termination | A filing that generally ends the effectiveness of the identified financing statement |
| Secured party information | The party identified in the public filing |
| Collateral description | The categories of property identified in the filing |
| Federal tax lien notice | A separate type of lien notice maintained in the relevant state database |
A search report is a starting point for reviewing the legal record, not a final legal determination about ownership, priority, or enforceability.
Is a New York UCC Search Free?
The Department of State provides public online lookup access, but an official UCC search request is a separate service.
According to the Department's published fee schedule:
| Service | Published Fee |
|---|---|
| Official UCC search request | $25 per name |
| Plain copy of a filing | $5 |
| Certified copy | $10 |
| Electronic UCC filing | $20 |
| Paper UCC filing | $40 |
An official search request generally requires a separate UCC-11 Information Request form for each name searched.
Fees and procedures can change. Check the current New York Department of State UCC FAQs before submitting a paid request.
Should You Search New York or Another State?
Not every UCC filing involving a business operating in New York will necessarily be filed in New York.
For many types of collateral, the proper state for a financing statement depends on the debtor's legal location under Article 9.
For example:
An LLC organized in New York is generally located in New York for relevant UCC filing purposes.
An LLC organized in Delaware is generally located in Delaware, even if its principal business operations are in New York.
A corporation organized in Florida is generally located in Florida for these purposes.
Special rules may apply to particular collateral, transactions, and filing types.
Under New York UCC § 9-307, a registered organization organized under a state's law is generally located in that state for purposes of Article 9's relevant perfection provisions.
This means a business owner may need to search more than one filing office depending on the entity's formation history and the transaction.
See New York UCC § 9-307.
Are All New York UCC Filings Recorded With the Secretary of State?
No.
The New York Department of State is the central filing office for many Article 9 financing statements.
However, certain filings involving fixtures, as-extracted collateral, timber to be cut, and cooperative interests may require filing in an office associated with real-property records.
New York UCC § 9-501 sets out the applicable filing-office rules.
For example, certain fixture filings are made in the office where a mortgage on the related real property would be recorded.
Therefore, a statewide Department of State search should not automatically be treated as a complete search of every possible filing office.
For business acquisition, major financing, or other high-stakes due diligence, counsel may recommend a more comprehensive search.
See New York UCC § 9-501.
Why Do Merchant Cash Advance Companies File UCC Liens?
Some merchant cash advance agreements contain provisions involving purchased receivables, security interests, and other contractual rights.
A funder may file a UCC financing statement to provide public notice of claimed rights in specified business property.
These filings may involve:
Accounts receivable
Payment rights
Certain business assets
Proceeds of receivables
Other collateral identified in the documents
The effect of the filing depends on the transaction.
A merchant cash advance is not automatically equivalent to a conventional secured loan, and every filing does not establish the same rights.
Example: A New York Restaurant With an MCA Filing
Suppose a New York restaurant receives a merchant cash advance and later discovers a UCC-1 naming the MCA funder as secured party.
The financing statement lists accounts receivable and certain other business property.
The restaurant's owner wants to know whether the funder can redirect credit card receipts or interfere with payment processing.
The UCC search identifies the public filing, but it does not answer every legal question.
An attorney may need to examine:
The MCA agreement
Any security agreement
The actual receivables assignment
Whether a default has occurred
The secured party's asserted rights
Notices sent to processors or other account debtors
Relevant Article 9 requirements
This is particularly important when the restaurant depends on continuous access to payment-processing revenue.
For more background, read Merchant Cash Advances and the Restaurant Industry.
Can an MCA UCC Filing Affect Business Financing?
Potentially.
A lender or financing provider reviewing a company's records may discover existing UCC filings.
Those filings may prompt questions about:
Existing financing agreements
Collateral already pledged
Priority of competing interests
Outstanding obligations
Prior settlements
Whether termination documents are required
Some lenders may request payoff information or a termination statement before proceeding with a new financing arrangement.
An outstanding UCC filing can also become an issue during a business sale, refinancing, or certain asset transactions.
However, the presence of a filing does not automatically prohibit new financing.
The effect depends on the creditor's rights, the proposed transaction, and the requirements of the new lender.
What if You Find a UCC Filing You Don't Recognize?
Discovering an unfamiliar UCC-1 warrants further review.
Start by confirming that the named debtor is actually your business.
Businesses with similar names may appear in search results.
Then determine:
Who is identified as the secured party?
When was the financing statement filed?
What collateral is described?
Is there a corresponding financing agreement?
Was the filing authorized?
Has the obligation already been resolved?
Are any amendments or terminations recorded?
Request copies of the underlying documents when appropriate.
If a filing appears inaccurate or unauthorized, preserve the documents and consider having an attorney evaluate the next steps.
Do not assume a filing can be safely terminated simply because the business owner disagrees with it.
Can You Remove a UCC Lien in New York?
A UCC filing may be terminated when the relevant statutory and contractual conditions are satisfied.
The appropriate process depends on the transaction and the status of the secured party's rights.
For example, a secured obligation may have been fully satisfied, or a receivables-purchase arrangement may have been completed.
In other cases, the parties may disagree about whether an obligation remains outstanding.
How Does a UCC-3 Termination Work?
A UCC-3 amendment can be used to terminate an existing financing statement.
It identifies the original filing number and the action being taken.
Under New York UCC § 9-513, specific rules govern termination statements.
For many commercial transactions not involving consumer goods, the statute requires the secured party of record to send or file a termination statement within 20 days after receiving a signed debtor demand, provided the relevant statutory conditions are met.
The 20-day rule is conditional. It does not mean every business can demand immediate removal of any existing UCC filing.
A properly filed termination statement generally causes the relevant financing statement to cease being effective, subject to statutory limitations.
Review New York UCC § 9-513.
What if an MCA Company Refuses to Terminate a UCC Filing?
A dispute may arise when a merchant believes an MCA obligation has been resolved, but the funder has not provided or filed a termination statement.
The first step is to determine whether the agreement, settlement, and applicable law actually require termination.
An attorney may review:
The original MCA agreement
The settlement agreement, if any
Proof of payments
Releases
Written promises concerning the UCC filing
The underlying collateral rights
The financing statement and amendments
Correspondence with the funder
If the conditions for termination have been satisfied, counsel can evaluate appropriate demands or legal remedies.
A business should not rely only on a verbal statement that a filing will be released.
Where UCC termination is part of an MCA settlement, the agreement should clearly address when and how the filing will be terminated.
Can You Dispute a Wrongfully Filed New York UCC Statement?
New York UCC § 9-518 provides a process for submitting a correction statement concerning a record a person believes is inaccurate or wrongfully filed.
The Department of State also provides the UCC-5 information statement form.
However, filing a correction or information statement does not automatically remove the original financing statement or invalidate its legal effectiveness.
That distinction is important.
If a creditor's filing is disputed, an attorney may need to review the underlying authorization, agreement, statutory requirements, and available remedies.
The appropriate response may depend on whether the issue involves:
An incorrect debtor name
An unauthorized filing
An overbroad collateral description
An outdated filing
A disputed settlement
A failure to provide a required termination
A more substantial disagreement about the underlying transaction
See New York UCC § 9-518.
Does a UCC Lien Mean an MCA Company Can Freeze Your Bank Account?
No. A UCC financing statement does not, by itself, establish an unrestricted right to freeze a business bank account.
A UCC filing, contractual security interest, deposit-account control arrangement, and court-ordered account restraint are different legal matters.
The funder's actual rights may depend on the type of collateral, perfection method, applicable law, contractual provisions, and whether a judgment or court order exists.
If an MCA company or other creditor has contacted your bank, ask for the documentation identifying the legal basis for the action.
An attorney can review whether the action is based on a security agreement, a court proceeding, or another asserted right.
Read What Is a UCC Lien? for additional discussion of business collateral and creditor claims.
What Documents Should You Bring to an Attorney About a New York UCC Filing?
If a filing is interfering with financing, a business sale, receivables, or operations, gather the relevant documents.
Useful records include:
The UCC search report
Initial financing statements
Amendments and continuation statements
Assignments
Termination statements, if any
Original financing agreements
MCA agreements
Security agreements
Personal guarantees
Payment histories
Settlement agreements
Proof of satisfaction
Default notices
Customer or processor notices
Correspondence with the secured party
Related lawsuit or judgment documents
Provide the initial financing statement number if available.
The attorney can then compare the public filing with the contract and the business's records.
Frequently Asked Questions About UCC Lien Searches in NY
How do I search for a UCC lien in New York?
Visit the New York State Department of State's Uniform Commercial Code page and choose a UCC/Lien Search option. You can search by debtor, filing number, or secured party, depending on the information available.
Can I perform a New York UCC search online?
Yes. The New York Department of State provides public online lookup access to UCC records. Official search reports and certified copies may involve fees.
Is a New York UCC lien search free?
Public online lookup access is available. A formal UCC search request through the Department of State carries a published $25 fee per name. Copy and certification fees may also apply.
How do I search for a UCC filing against my LLC?
Start with the LLC's exact legal name. Review the relevant state's official filing database and any amendments. The appropriate search jurisdiction may depend on where the LLC was organized.
Can I search for UCC liens by creditor name?
The New York Department of State provides a secured-party search option, allowing users to look for filings associated with a named secured party.
How long does a New York UCC filing last?
Most ordinary UCC financing statements remain effective for five years unless properly continued or otherwise affected by applicable law. Certain transaction types follow different duration rules.
Does a UCC filing mean my business has defaulted?
No. A financing statement may be filed before any default occurs. Its presence alone does not establish that the business has breached an agreement.
Can an MCA company file a UCC-1 against my business?
Some merchant cash advance arrangements involve UCC filings. Whether the filing is authorized and legally effective depends on the agreement, transaction, and applicable law.
Can I remove a UCC filing after paying an MCA?
Potentially. The agreement and statutory requirements determine when termination is required. Review the settlement and payment records and obtain the appropriate UCC termination documentation.
Does a UCC-5 remove an incorrect lien?
No. A UCC-5 information or correction statement does not automatically remove or invalidate the financing statement being disputed.
Should I search New York UCC records if my business is incorporated elsewhere?
Possibly, but another state's filing office may be more relevant. For many ordinary Article 9 filings involving a registered organization, the debtor's state of organization determines the applicable filing jurisdiction.
Speak With an Attorney About a New York MCA UCC Filing
A New York UCC search can help identify financing statements involving your business, but locating a filing is only the first step.
If an MCA company has filed a financing statement, contacted your customers or payment processor, refused to terminate a filing after an agreed resolution, or initiated litigation, the underlying agreement and claimed rights may require legal review.
Lomba, P.A. is a business law firm representing companies in merchant cash advance disputes, lawsuits, negotiations, and settlements involving Florida and New York.
New York matters are handled with New York-admitted counsel, including Jeb Singer, Esq., Of Counsel.
Learn more about Lomba, P.A.'s MCA Defense representation.
For active litigation, visit the Merchant Cash Advance Lawsuit Defense page.
Call (954) 280-6992 to discuss your business's legal situation.