North Carolina keeps its UCC records at the UCC Section of the Department of the Secretary of State in Raleigh. The section runs a notice filing system for security interests in personal property. If you are checking a borrower or a seller, the search is free and takes a few minutes. Our North Carolina office guide covers the business side. For the basics, see our UCC search guide and the UCC-1 filing guide.
How do you search North Carolina UCC records?
Start on the UCC search page of the Secretary of State. The search type menu offers a Standard Article 9 Search and non-standard options. You pick organization or individual, enter the name, and read the results. The page says results include filings through a date shown on screen, so check that date.
| Who takes UCC filings | Uniform Commercial Code Section, NC Department of the Secretary of State (sosnc.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Search UCC records | sosnc.gov/divisions/uniform_commercial_code (sosnc.gov, checked ) |
| Search fee | Free online; $38 per debtor name by written request (sosnc.gov, checked ) |
| Copies and certified searches | $2.00 per page; certified copies $10.00 plus $2.00 per page (sosnc.gov, checked ) |
| File a UCC-1 | $38.00 by mail for 1 to 2 pages; $45.00 for 3 to 10 pages (sosnc.gov, checked ) |
| Filing online | E-file for $30.00 plus a processing fee, any number of pages (sosnc.gov, checked ) |
| Processing time | Online filings are filed immediately; mail or hand delivery within 72 hours (sosnc.gov, checked ) |
| Worth knowing | Federal tax liens are filed here, but state tax liens on real property go to the county Register of Deeds. (sosnc.gov, checked ) |
The state asks users not to run automated or scripted searches. For bulk data it points to its paid data subscriptions.
Standard or non-standard search?
A standard search follows the filing rules. It needs the debtor name searched exactly as it was indexed on the UCC filing. That is the search that counts if a lender relies on it.
A non-standard search is looser. You can search by names that start with your text, sound like it, or match all words, any words or the exact words. Use it to find possible matches, such as a variant spelling. Then confirm the hits with a standard search.
What does a staff search cost?
The online search is free. If you want the section to do it, mail a UCC-11 Information Request with $38 for each debtor name. A gold seal certification adds $10 per debtor name, for $38 plus $10.
After results come back, you can ask for copies. They cost $2.00 per page, or you can print them free online. Certified copies cost $10.00 plus $2.00 per UCC page. Make checks payable to the North Carolina Secretary of State.
How much does it cost to file a UCC-1?
You have two routes.
- E-file online for $30.00 plus a processing fee, with unlimited pages. Pay by debit or credit card or by ACH.
- File on paper for $38.00 for 1 to 2 pages, $45.00 for 3 to 10 pages, or $45.00 plus $2.00 for each page above 10.
Paper filings go by US Mail to the UCC Section, Post Office Box 29626, Raleigh, NC 27626-0626, or by hand to 2 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh. Pay by cashier check, personal check or money order.
How long does it take?
Speed is one reason to e-file. A UCC filed online is filed immediately. One delivered by hand or mail is filed within 72 hours. If the section rejects a paper filing, the fee is not returned, and you pay again to send the corrected form.
What else is different in North Carolina?
A regular UCC financing statement is effective for 5 years. Continuations must be filed in the 6 months before the filing lapses. The section also holds federal tax liens, which you can search free. State tax liens on real property go to the county Register of Deeds, so a full lien check sometimes means two offices.
Questions go to the section at 919-814-5400. If you would like help preparing a filing, you can ask our private filing service. State fees are separate, and you can file at the state yourself.
Sources
- www.sosnc.gov/contact: office name, division, officeholder, street address, phone, contact page, hours. Checked .
- www.sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/_Business_RegistrationLook: business search. Checked .
- www.sosnc.gov/manual/launching_a_business/selecting_a_name: name check. Checked .
- www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_57D.html: LLC name endings. Checked .
- www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByArticle/Chapter_55D/Article_3.pdf: name rule. Checked .
- www.sosnc.gov/fees/by_title/_Business_Registration_Business_corporations: name reservation fee, corporation filing fee, nonprofit filing fee, expedite fees. Checked .
- www.sosnc.gov/fees/by_title/_Business_Registration_limited_liability_companies: LLC filing fee, foreign LLC fee, report fee, good standing certificate, certificate fee. Checked .
- www.sosnc.gov/manual/launching_a_business/maintaining_registration: report due date. Checked .
- www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_57D/GS_57D-6-06.html: late penalty. Checked .
- www.sosnc.gov/divisions/business_registration/online_business_services: online filing. Checked .
- www.sosnc.gov/divisions/uniform_commercial_code: who takes ucc filings, search ucc records, search fee. Checked .
- www.sosnc.gov/fees/by_title/_uniform_commercial_code: copies and certified searches, file a ucc-1, filing online. Checked .
- sosnc.gov/frequently_asked_questions/by_title/_uniform_commercial_code: processing time, worth knowing. Checked .