The Uniform Commercial Code (MCL440.1101 through MCL 440.11102), or UCC, governs commercial transactions. The Code includes 11 articles covering a variety of topics, such as sales, negotiable instruments, bank deposits and collections, and investment securities. Article 9 of the UCC, (Secured Transactions), designates the Office of the Secretary of State as the location for filing public notice of a secured transaction. This notice, called a financing statement, is evidence of a commercial agreement between two parties known as the “debtor” and the “secured party.” Upon request, UCC also searches the filed information by debtor name. When a debtor pledges collateral on a loan, UCC search results show lenders whether others have filed a claim against the same collateral.
The UCC office is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., EDT. Staff can be contacted during normal business hours at 517-335-6167 or by email at UCCSection@Michigan.gov.
A debtor borrows money and pledges collateral (something of equal or greater value) against the value of the loan in the event that the debtor defaults on the loan payments.
The secured party is the lender, seller or other entity that has rights to the collateral pledged against a loan in the event that the debtor defaults.
Michigan Department of State
UCC Unit
P.O. Box 30197
Lansing, MI 48909-7697
Phone: 517-335-6167
Send express mail by private courier to this address:
Michigan Department of State
UCC Unit
7064 Crowner Drive
Dimondale, MI 48821
Phone: 517-335-6167
Sending regular mail to the express mail address will delay delivery. Send regular mail to:
Michigan Department of State
UCC Unit
PO Box 30197
Lansing, MI 48909-7697
No. UCC does not issue the bar codes or UPC symbols used by scanning equipment to capture data. Contact the GS1 US for information about these codes.
Article 9 or the entire UCC Code can be downloaded by selecting the appropriate link:
Forms can be downloaded for free from the Department of State website. The UCC1 financing statement form and the UCC3 financing statement amendment form, with revision dates of April 20, 2011, or July 1, 2023, are the standard filing forms in Michigan.
Yes. A weekly subscription service is available for the bulk purchase of UCC filing information. The Department of State does not offer a full file of historical images. The fees are as follows:
| Data subscription | |
| One month (four weeks) | $500 |
| Six months (24 weeks) | $3,000 |
| Image subscription |
|
| One year (52 weeks) | $6,000 |
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Call 517-335-6167 or |
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Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for copies, certificates, or general information.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Commercial Services
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, Michigan 48909
517-241-6470
CorpsMail@Michigan.gov
If you frequently request searches or file financing statements in UCC, contact our Accounts Receivable Unit at 517-335-3124 to establish a billing account. After a billing account has been established, you will receive a monthly invoice from the Accounts Receivable Unit.
In order to pay using your new billing account, you will need to contact the UCC Office via email and provide your new billing account number and your user name.
Make your check or money order payable to "State of Michigan."
Contact the UCC Office by calling 517-335-6167 or via email.
A financing statement provides public notice of the security agreement between a debtor and the secured party, the lender. The financing statement describes the types of collateral or personal property that is pledged against the value of the loan, and it identifies the parties that have an interest or stake in the collateral if the debtor defaults. A financing statement filing includes all UCC documents related to the initial financing statement.
A financing statement amendment is a UCC document that amends the information in a financing statement. Amendments include continuations (extends the effective filing period for five more years), changes to debtors or secured parties, terminations (terminates the filing), and assignments (assigns all or part of a security interest to another secured party).
If a continuation is not filed, the financing statement will lapse in five years from the initial filing date. Continuations may be filed in increments of five years and always expire on the anniversary date of the initial filing. A continuation may be filed up to six months before the expiration date of the financing statement. Under Article 9, all lapsed and terminated filings remain active on system for search reporting purposes only for one year after the initial financing statement lapsed (or would have lapsed).
Use the UCC1 form to file an initial financing statement. If you have more than two debtor names, you must include a UCC1 addendum form. Debtor names must be entered as an individual or as an organization, but not both.
Use the UCC3 form to file an amendment. Always include the reference number for the initial UCC filing when filling out the UCC3. A separate UCC3 form is required for each amendment to the initial financing statement. For example, a continuation and an assignment would need to be submitted on two separate UCC3 forms, and two filing fees will be charged.
The UCC1 form has designated spaces for two debtor names. If you have more than two debtor names, you must include the appropriate addendum form. Debtor names must be entered as an individual, or as an organization, but not both.
When filing an initial financing statement with more than two debtor names, attach a UCC1Ad Initial Addendum or a UCC1AP Initial Additional Party form.
When filing an amendment with more than two debtor names, attach a UCC3Ad Amendment Addendum or a UCC3AP Amendment Additional Party form.
A fixture filing covers goods that are permanently attached to the land or real property. Fixture filings are recorded at a county Register of Deeds office. Farm products (crops, livestock and their unprocessed products) are not considered fixtures. Filings related to farm products should be filed at the UCC office rather than at a Register of Deeds office.
Submit the following when filing a UCC1:
One copy of the completed UCC1 form. Make sure all form information is complete, accurate, and legible, including names and addresses for the debtor and secured parties.
A check or money order for the appropriate fee, made payable to "State of Michigan," or the submitter's previously established billing account number in good standing.
The debtor name shown on the UCC1 form should be the debtor's legal name. The UCC1 form should include a description of the collateral covered by the financing statement.
A tax identification number is not required on initial and amendment financing statements. UCC documents are public records. Filers may wish to consider protecting their customers by excluding Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information from UCC documents.
No, signatures are not required on any UCC filings.
Submit a UCC3 financing statement amendment form. Make sure to reference the initial filing number and mark the termination box.
A secured party may assign all or part of its rights by filing an assignment financing statement using a UCC3 form. If all of the rights are assigned, the new secured party assigned those rights becomes the secured party of record. If the assignment is for part of the rights, both the previous secured party and the new secured party are on file as secured parties of record.
A UCC5 Information Statement is filed by the debtor when a record is:
A UCC5 Information Statement is filed by the secured party when a record is:
Once the UCC5 is recorded, the secured party should file the correct action.
The UCC5 is not an amendment, and it does not alter or cancel the filing in question. The UCC office does not determine whether the UCC5 is effective or legitimate. A financing statement amendment must be used to make changes to previous filings.
A filing is made based on the location of the debtor. Filings that name an individual as the debtor are made in the debtor’s state of residence. A filing listing an organization as the debtor will be filed in the state in which the organization is registered.
Filing in the wrong office is not a sufficient reason to reject a filing.
Mortgages, fixtures, minerals and timber are filed with the county Register of Deeds in the state of the debtor or organization. All other types of collateral, including transmitting utilities, should be filed with the UCC Office.
This decision is left to the filer. Failure to list collateral or filing in the wrong office is not a reason to reject the financing statement. Mortgages, fixtures, minerals, and timber to be cut are filed with the county Register of Deeds. All other types of collateral, including filings for transmitting utilities, should be filed with the UCC Office.
Find the contact information for all County Register of Deeds' offices at the Michigan Association of Registers of Deeds. Select the "Directory" tab in the top menu bar to access a list of all County Register of Deeds and to contact individual Register of Deeds' county offices.
Filings are only accepted electronically through UCC Online. Only UCC billing account customers, and credit or debit card customers, can process filings electronically. A processing fee may be charged if you pay with a credit or debit card. Visit UCC Online to create a user account and submit filings.
Please note: The UCC Office does not accept filings by fax or email.
Filing fees apply to all UCC1 and UCC3 filings, including terminations.
$15 per filing (standard filing fee, includes attachments)
When you process your filing using UCC Online, there will be an acknowledgement copy available when you complete it. If you don’t print your acknowledgement copy immediately, it will be kept in your "My Filings" for 90 days.
Terminate the financing statement in the office that received the original filing, either the Michigan Department of State UCC Office or the County Register of Deeds.
Searches
Debtor Name
$6 per debtor name
Filing Copies
$2 per page
Request for Official Seal
$12 per request ($6 standard search fee plus $6 Official Seal fee)
All search requests must be submitted using UCC Online.
You must create a user account by selecting Create Account on the UCC Online home page. Searches may be paid for using a billing account or American Express, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa credit or debit card. A processing fee may be charged if you pay with a credit or debit card.
Debtor names will be searched on system as they were submitted. To ensure accurate results, make sure debtor names are spelled correctly. Collateral from financing statements does not show on information listings.
A UCC copy search will include copies of state and federal tax liens, and all active financing statements. Active financing statements include all filings that have not lapsed. Lapsed financing statements are searchable for one year beyond the lapse date. To request copies of both active and lapsed filings, select “All” on the UCC11 search criteria page of UCC online services.
Information regarding collateral can be found by submitting a UCC-11 search through UCC online services. On the search criteria screen, select the option for “Search Certificate and Copies.” Your processed search result with copies will include any collateral. Financing statements are indexed by debtor name, not collateral or secured party.
You will receive the filing number, date and time of filing, document type, and the name and address of the secured party for each financing statement associated with the debtor name submitted. Collateral is not included. To find collateral, a search with copies should be requested.
For information regarding Michigan Department of Treasury state tax liens, contact the Collections Division at 517-636-5265.
For information regarding Unemployment Insurance Agency tax liens, contact the Tax Collections Unit at 855-484-2636; option 5, or go online to the Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) web page: UIA Resources for Employers
For information regarding Internal Revenue Service (IRS) federal tax liens, contact the IRS Tax Lien Department at 800-929-1040.
Yes, UCC search results are certified. The filing officer certifies that the search reports contain all active financing statements, tax liens and assignments for the debtor name on file, as of the current certification date. If needed, a certification seal on your search results is available for an additional fee of $6 per seal.
UCC Search Logic has specific rules for its internal logic. Understanding how it works will help ensure correct search results. For example, certain business endings are considered “noise” words and are eliminated for search purposes. Debtor names are searched exactly as submitted, even if spelled incorrectly. “All” on the UCC11 search criteria screen includes all lapsed and terminated filings for one year after the filing lapse date.
Contact the UCC office at UCCSection@Michigan.gov to request a copy.
Because your billing account number has not been linked to your online user profile. Setting up a billing account and establishing an online user account are two separate operations in the UCC system. When you set up a billing account, provide your user name, the email associated with your user name, and your billing account number to the UCC Office so that your online account can be connected with your billing account. A confirmation email will be sent once your online account and billing account have been linked.
A billing account is most beneficial for UCC customers who conduct a large number of searches and filings monthly.
You should first set up a customer user account. We recommend that this user be the person in your organization who will handle the monthly billing account invoices. Once the customer account is set up, a user account for each employee who will process filings or searches will need to be added. To create accounts for other employees, select the "Account" icon, and then "New User." Once you have entered the employee’s information and selected their privileges, select "Save." Your billing account number will be automatically associated with each user you create.
The Debtor Name Quick Search is a free online service that allows you to identify debtor names and their variations before submitting a UCC11 Information Request. Debtor name quick searches provide a list of Initial Financing Statement and tax lien numbers.
Use your UCC billing account, or pay with an American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa credit or debit card. A process fee is charged when using a debit or credit card.
Account holders are billed monthly and are customers who frequently file or search UCC documents. Contact the Accounts Receivable Unit at 517-335-3124 to set up a billing account.
No, you must select either “Billing Account” or “Credit Card” when paying for an order.
Only your password is case sensitive.
Your password remains active for 365 days. if you experience password issues, contact the MiLogin Help Desk at 877-932-6424; extension 5.
To save entered information, select the "Save Draft" button. The draft will be saved in the "Drafts" tab of your "My Filings" screen for 30 days. Once a filing is in the shopping cart, it cannot be edited. If you realize a mistake has been made, you may delete the filing and begin a new one.
If you are still on the same page, select the “Edit” button next to the debtor, secured party or assignee’s name in the table. Your previously entered information in the name and address fields will appear and you may make any changes necessary. Select the “Save” button when you are done.
If you have entered a party in error, select the “Remove” button to remove the party’s information.
If you are on the "Review" screen, select the navigation link to return to the screen where you need to make edits.
Call the UCC Office at 517-335-6167 during normal business hours, or e-mail us.
Yes, collateral descriptions can be copied from other sources and pasted into the collateral data field. After pasting the data into the collateral field, examine the text to ensure it does not appear too small. If the text appears small and unreadable in this box, it will appear the same way on the image produced when you complete the filing.
If you experience text size or other formatting issues, contact the UCC Office at 517-335-6167.
Yes. Attachments must be formatted as PDFs and no larger than 10 MB.
Filing documents are delivered to your "My Filings" screen as PDFs once you complete checkout.
You must be logged in to access "My Filings." You may view and print your filing documents by selecting the "Registered" tab; the first button will open the payment receipt, and the second button will download the final filing image. Files are available in "My Filings" for 90 days.
An electronic searching service for billing account customers and credit or debit card customers is available online. You must register for a user account by selecting "Login" or "Register" and then Create a User Account.
Filings that are submitted to the UCC filing office will receive a certification date once they have been completed. The certification date is available on the UCC website and printed on the search certificate report.
You will be notified by two separate emails when your search is being processed and when your documents are ready. Search results will be available on the "Orders" screen.
To retrieve files from your "Orders," you must be logged in to the system. You may download your search results by selecting "Download." The documents are available in "Orders" for 90 days. These stored documents will not be updated to reflect subsequent filings, so results are only current through the search certification date.
Yes, however, the UCC system includes a verification step to be completed by UCC staff, and filings are not registered until verification is complete. The UCC-11 search is not held for verification by UCC staff so it will process prior to the UCC-1 being registered. If you need a UCC-11 report showing the most recent UCC-1 filed against a debtor, you must submit the UCC-11 search request after you receive notification the UCC-1 has been registered.
Search results display the debtor name as entered by the search submitter. If there are records for that debtor name, the following fields are shown:
Financing Statement Number
Lien Type
Registered Date (i.e. the filing date)
Lapse Date
Status (active or lapsed)
The only file numbers that will show on a Debtor Name Quick Search are initial financing statements or initial tax liens.
If you want to view the documents listed, complete a UCC11 search. You will have several search options, including obtaining the specific copies shown or completing a certified search of the debtor name. Search fees will then apply.
The Debtor Name Quick Search message "No Data Found with your search criteria" will be returned on your screen. UCC11 results will say "No Results Found" on the information listing page.
Editing can be done by selecting the navigation link to the "Request Details" screen before submitting your request. Search requests cannot be edited once they are placed in the shopping cart. However, any search request can be deleted from the Shopping Cart before checking out.
The itemized receipt for the search will appear on the Submission Confirmation page, indicating the search request was successfully submitted. An email will be sent indicating your search is being processed. A second email will be sent when the order is ready for viewing.
The UCC system search logic does not recognize individual debtor name suffixes such as senior and junior, or Roman numerals indicating birth order.
