Sec.42a-9-6. Search requests and reports

(a) General requirements. The filing office maintains for public inspection a searchable index for all records of UCC documents that provides for the retrieval of a record by the name of the debtor and by the file number of the initial financing statement to which the record relates. The index associates each initial financing statement with each filed UCC document relating to it.

(b) Search requests. A search request shall set forth the full correct name of a debtor and shall specify whether the debtor is an individual or an organization. When the debtor is an individual, a search request shall designate separate fields for first, middle, and last names and any suffix.

(c) Rules applied to search requests. Search results are created by applying standardized search logic to the name presented to the filing office. The following, and only the following rules are applied to conduct searches.

(1) There is no limit to the number of matches that may be returned in response to the search criteria;

(2) No distinction is made between upper and lower case letters;

(3) Punctuation marks and accents are disregarded;

(4) Noise Words and abbreviations in a name that indicate the existence or nature of an organization are disregarded. All spaces are disregarded;

(5) First and last names of individuals are searched exactly as provided. When an initial is provided for the first name, the system shall search for that initial only. If no middle initial is provided the system shall equate it with all middle names and initials.

(6) After taking the rules specified in subdivisions (1) to (5), inclusive, of this subsection into account to modify the name of the debtor requested to be searched and to modify the names of debtors contained in financing statements in the UCC information management system, the search shall reveal only names of debtors that match the standard search logic.

(7) At times the results of a search may yield more than an exact name match due to the method in which tax lien information is electronically transmittted to the UCC information management system pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.

(d) Response to search requests. No later than the fifth business day after the filing office receives a search request, the person making such request shall receive a request for information report. The request for information report shall include the name of the debtor searched. If the search yields any UCC documents relating to the debtor, then the request for information report shall include information concerning the debtor's address; the lapse date of the security interest; the secured party's name and address; the type of filing; the volume and page number; the number of pages; and the date and time of filing. The request for information report shall be sent to the requestor via United States Postal Service unless the remitter requests in-person pick-up or courier service. If the search does not yield any UCC documents relating to the debtor, then the request for information report shall state that no information was found.

(Adopted effective December 11, 2002)