Delaware is the odd one out for UCC work. The state keeps financing statements at the Division of Corporations, part of the Department of State in Dover, but it does not run an online UCC search. People who expect a free lookup find a phone number instead. Our Delaware office guide covers the entity search, which is free and works fine for companies. This page is about liens. For general background, see our UCC search guide and the UCC-1 filing guide.
How do you search Delaware UCC records?
You have two options, and the Division names both. The first is to call its main line at (302) 739-3073 and ask for UCC information. Phone hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday except state holidays. The second is to use a UCC Authorized Searcher, a private service that runs the search for you.
| Who takes UCC filings | Delaware Division of Corporations, UCC Section (corp.delaware.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Filing online | Filed through an Authorized UCC Filer, who gets the acknowledgment copy (corp.delaware.gov, checked ) |
| UCC forms | corp.delaware.gov/uccform (corp.delaware.gov, checked ) |
| Processing time | Added to the filing fee: next day $100.00, same day $200.00, 2 hour $500.00, 1 hour $1,000.00 (corp.delaware.gov, checked ) |
| Worth knowing | No UCC search is online; call the office at (302) 739-3073 or use a UCC Authorized Searcher. (corp.delaware.gov, checked ) |
Because there is no portal, plan time for this step. A lender closing a deal this week should start the search request now.
How does Delaware handle UCC filings?
Documents go through a UCC Authorized Filer. The office lists the documents the UCC Section processes this way: the UCC-1 financing statement, the UCC-3 amendment, the UCC-11 request for information and filings for transmitting utilities. The acknowledgment copy goes back to the filer who submitted the document.
The Division suggests you add a cover memo. It is a PDF form, and it helps the office return your document to the right address.
Which forms does Delaware accept?
Delaware accepts the national standard forms only. The Division links these from its UCC Forms page.
- UCC-1 Financing Statement, with the UCC-1Ad addendum and the UCC-1AP additional party sheet.
- UCC3 Amendment, with the UCC-3Ad and UCC-3AP sheets.
- The Delaware UCC3-Alt amendment form.
- UCC-5 Information Statement.
- UCC-11 Information Request.
The downloads take you to the website of the national standards body, not the Division's own server. Delaware's UCC Administrative Rules set out the full list of filing requirements.
What can you do to speed things up?
The Division sells expedited handling for UCC-1 and UCC-3 filings, on top of the filing fee. Next day is $100.00. Same day is $200.00. A 2 hour rush is $500.00 and a 1 hour rush is $1,000.00. Most filings do not need these.
What does a UCC filing cost?
Delaware publishes a UCC fee schedule on its UCC Forms and Fees page. The numbers there have moved recently, and older copies of the schedule disagree with each other, so this page does not quote a base fee. Open the live page and read the current UCC-1 and UCC-3 amounts, the extra charges for additional debtor names and the copy fees.
What should you check next?
Pair the lien search with an entity search. The Division's free search shows the debtor's exact name, file number and registered agent, and it shows whether the entity is active or not. A debtor that is not active may still have filings on record, so ask for a search even then.
If you would like help ordering a search or preparing a filing, you can ask our private filing service. State fees are separate, and you can deal with the Division yourself.
Sources
- sos.delaware.gov/: office name, officeholder. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/contact/: division, mailing address, street address, phone, contact page, hours. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/directweb/: business search, good standing certificate, certificate ordering. Checked .
- icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspx: search fields, search tips. Checked .
- icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/NameReserv/NameReservation.aspx: name check. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/: name check. Checked .
- delcode.delaware.gov/title6/c018/sc01/index.html: LLC name endings, name reservation term. Checked .
- delcode.delaware.gov/title8/c001/sc01/index.html: corporation name endings, restricted words, name rule. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/faqs/: name reservation fee. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/corpformsllc09/: name reservation form. Checked .
- corpfiles.delaware.gov/Fee_Schedule/AugustFee2026.pdf: LLC filing fee, corporation filing fee, nonprofit filing fee, foreign LLC fee, expedite fees, certificate fee. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/frtax/: report fee, report due date, late penalty. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/alt-entitytaxinstructions/: franchise tax. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/document-upload-service-information/: online filing. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/howtoform/: registered agent rule. Checked .
- icis.corp.delaware.gov/ecorp/FieldDesc.aspx: status terms. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/uccreq: who takes ucc filings, filing online. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/uccform/: ucc forms. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/uccfeesSept09/: processing time. Checked .
- corp.delaware.gov/faqs: worth knowing. Checked .