Ohio UCC Search

How UCC filings show up in the public record, and a way to order the search.

Ohio UCC Search

UCC Filing

Quick answer. A UCC filing is the act of submitting a UCC-1, UCC-3, or information statement to the filing office. A search only reads what was already accepted. An Ohio UCC search uses the Secretary of State’s UCC portal. You can search by financing-statement number, debtor name, or secured party. The business-entity search does not replace it. An Ohio UCC statement request is that search, or a UCC-11 information request if you need the official certificate product.

Official office

Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services entity index

Open the official search

Phone: (614) 466-3910

180 Civic Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43215

Business filings line: (614) 466-3910 or (877) 767-3453.

Steps

  1. Open the UCC portal

    Start from ohiosos.gov’s Uniform Commercial Code page so you are not in the business-name search by mistake.

  2. Search debtor or FS number

    Number is exact. Debtor name must be the legal name.

  3. Open the image

    Collateral is on the image.

  4. Ask for a UCC-11 only if you need the certificate

    A screen search and an information request are different products.

Filing is not searching

Texas requires UCC filings through SOSPortal and has stopped taking paper. Delaware requires electronic filing. New York offers e-filing and paper at different fees. Florida filings go to the Secured Transaction Registry vendor. Ohio filings go through the Secretary of State UCC portal.

This site does not submit the form. If you want a search of what is already on file, use the request form and name the debtor.

Ohio’s UCC portal is separate from the business-name search

The Secretary of State’s UCC page points to online filing and searching and to administrative rules. The portal’s own help lists quick search, FS-number search, debtor search, and secured-party search. Business Services can be reached at 1-877-SOS-FILE or business@OhioSos.gov for filing-system questions. Confirm you are in the UCC module.

Images are part of the filing detail in the online system described by the state’s materials. Download the image before you describe collateral. The entity charter number is not the financing-statement number.

Common mistakes

  • Using only the business search.
  • Calling the charter number a financing-statement number.
  • Skipping the image.
  • Quoting a portal screenshot as a UCC-11 certificate.

Questions

Where is the Ohio Secretary of State UCC search?

On the Secretary of State UCC portal linked from the Uniform Commercial Code page.

What is an Ohio UCC statement request form?

The request for a search of the UCC index, including a UCC-11 when you need the official information request rather than a self-serve screen.

Can I search by secured party in Ohio?

Yes. The portal help lists secured-party name alongside debtor name and financing-statement number.

Sources reviewed