Apostille/Authentication services available by appointment on Tuesdays and Fridays starting August 5.
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2023, OUR LOBBY WALK-IN HOURS WILL BE 9 A.M. - 4 P.M. (CENTRAL), MONDAY - FRIDAY.

UCC Filing How-To Guides

Texas SOS UCC Filing User Manual

PDF Version of the UCC User Manual

Updated as of 9/17/2024

Contents

Purpose

Purpose of the Guide

The purpose of this User Manual is to assist customers in navigating the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) process through the State of Texas Secretary of State (SOS) online portal. This guide has been created to provide clear, step-by-step instructions for various UCC-related tasks, ensuring that users can efficiently and accurately complete their filings. The manual covers a range of procedures including initial filings, amendments, and searches. By following the instructions provided, users will be able to:

This manual aims to simplify the UCC filing process, reduce errors, and enhance user experience by providing comprehensive and easy-to-follow guidance.

How to File an Initial Filing

  1. Log into SOS Portal

    Sign-in to SOS Portal screen. Forms fields for email address and password.

  2. Select UCC tile on the dashboard

    This screen displays tile links for different applications. In this screenshot, the Uniform Commercial Code tile link is selected.

  3. You Will Then See Your UCC Filing History

    My UCC Filing History screenshot. The table displays information such as date received, tracking number, filing number, filing type and status.

  4. Click “START NEW FILING”

    Same My UCC Filing History screen. The Start New Filing button is displayed at the top of the screen.

  5. Click “Start a new initial filing”

    Select Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Filing screen. The Start a new initial filing tile link is selected.

  6. Select Filing Type using the dropdown menu, then click NEXT

    Select Filing Type screen. There is a Select Filing Type drop down menu, and the Next button is selected.

  7. Then, enter Filing Parties

    Filing Parties screen. There is a Debtor Information section and a Secured Party Information section.

  8. Click Add Debtor

    Same screen, however the Add Debtor link is selected.

  9. Select if the debtor is an individual or an organization

    Radio buttons appear within the Debtor Information section. Radio buttons are displayed for, "Is the Debtor an individual or an organization?

  10. Fill out Debtor name and address. Then click ADD DEBTOR

    There are contact information form fields and the Add Debtor button is selected.

  11. Once debtor information is entered, click Add Secured Party

    In the Secured Party Information section, the Add Secured Party link is selected.

  12. Select if the Secured Party is an individual or an organization

    The individual radio button is selected.

  13. Fill out Secured Party name and address. Then click ADD SECURED PARTY

    The Add Secured Party button is selected and appears underneath the contact form fields.

  14. Click NEXT to proceed to the Collateral page

    The Next button appears at the bottom of the page.

  15.  Describe the Collateral or Upload a Document/Collateral Files

    Form field for "This financing statement covers the following collateral" and button for "Upload Document".

  16. Answer final question about the collateral, then click NEXT

    Radio buttons for "Do any of these options apply to the collateral?"

  17. Provide Additional Details (if applicable). Then, click NEXT

    Drop down field for "Alternative Designation (if applicable)", form field for "Optional Filer Reference Data" and checkbox for "This is a non UCC Filing".

  18. Review Information, then, click CHECKOUT at the bottom of the page

    The "Review Information" screen also allows for editing.



  19. The Checkout page will show total amount owed. Click Proceed to Payment

    The "Proceed to Payment" link will redirect users to an external page.

  20. Review and confirm Payment Method. Then, click Submit

    Credit card payment information is diplayed and the Submit button is selected.

  21. Proceed to Payment Confirmation Receipt. Then, click HOME to return to UCC Filing History



  22. Newly filed document is available for download for the next two weeks

    Screenshot of "My UCC Filing History" screen. Can see information within the table.

How to File an Amendment

  1. Log into SOS Portal

    Login screen displays form fields for email address and password.

  2. Select UCC tile on the dashboard

    Dashboard screen shows tiles for various applications. The Uniform Commercial Code tile is selected.

  3. You Will Then See Your UCC Filing History. Click “START NEW FILING”



  4. Choose the option to Amend an existing filing.

    The "Select Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Filing" screen shows the "Amend an existing filing" tile selected.

  5. Enter the Filing Number of the Document You Want to Amend. Then click SEARCH

    Form field for initial filing number

    For Party Information Change:

  6. Look at the Filing Type. To confirm that it is the document to be amended, click Next



  7. Select Amendment Type. For Party Information Change, choose Party Information Change. Then, click NEXT

    This screen displays checkboxes for the available options. The "Party Information Change" checkbox is selected.

  8. Select an Authorizing Party (Debtor or Secured Party)

    Radio buttons are displayed for "Debtor" and "Secured Party".

  9. Confirm that a change will be made by checking the box next to the Authorizing Party chosen

    The "Secured Party" radio button is also selected.

  10. Click “NEXT”



  11. Pick the Filing Party to be updated

    The "Debtor" radio button is selected.

  12. Pick to Add, DELETE, or EDIT the Filing Party

    Options appear under the Debtor Information section of the screen.

  13. Update Filing Party Information. Click NEXT to confirm

  14. Review the Information



  15. Click “CHECKOUT” on the bottom right of the screen.

  16. Click "Proceed to Payment”

    The "Proceed to Payment" link will redirect users to an external page.

  17. Submit Payment Method, then, view Payment Confirmation Receipt. Then, click “Home” to return UCC Filing History



  18. Form/Application Available for Download. The form/application will be available for download for two weeks.

    Information will appear in a table

For Termination on an Aircraft Maintenance Lien:

Follow Amendment Filing steps 1 through 7

  1. Look at the Filing Type to Ensure It Is Correct. Make sure it is an Aircraft Maintenance Lien



  2. Click Next to select an Amendment Type on the following screen

  3. Select Termination. Then click NEXT



  4. Upload the termination Document. Then, click NEXT

  5. Review the Information. Then, click CHECKOUT



  6. On the following screen, click "Proceed to Payment”

  7. Confirm Payment Method, then Submit.

  8. On the following screen, view Payment Confirmation Receipt

  9. Then, click “Home” to See UCC Filing History, where Form/Application will be available for Download

    Information appears within a table.

For Termination Not on an Aircraft Maintenance Lien:

Repeat steps one through 7

  1. Look at the Filing Type to Ensure It Is Correct. Make sure it is NOT an Aircraft Maintenance Lien



  2. Click Next to select an Amendment Type on the following screen

  3. Select Termination. Then click NEXT



  4. Select an Authorizing Party (Debtor or Secured Party). Confirm the Change by Checking the Box. Then click, NEXT

    The Secure Party radio button is selected.

  5. Review the Information. Then, click “CHECKOUT”



  6. On the following screen, click "Proceed to Payment”

  7. Confirm Payment Method, then Submit.

  8. On the following screen, view Payment Confirmation Receipt

  9. Then, click “Home” to See UCC Filing History, where Form/Application will be available for Download

    Information appears within a table within the My UCC Filing History screen.

For Assignment:

Follow Amendment Filing steps 1 through 7

  1. Look at the Filing Type to Ensure It Is Correct. Then, click NEXT



  2. Select Assignment. Then click NEXT



  3. Select an Authorizing Party (Secured Party).

  4. Confirm the Change by Checking the Box. Then, click “NEXT”

  5. On the following screen, add new Secured Party. Specify if new Secured Party is an individual or organization. Then, click NEXT



  6. Review the Information. Then, click “CHECKOUT”



  7. On the following screen, click "Proceed to Payment”

  8. Confirm Payment Method, then Submit.

  9. On the following screen, view Payment Confirmation Receipt

  10. Then, click “Home” to See UCC Filing History, where Form/Application will be available for Download


For Collateral Change:

Follow Amendment Filing steps 1 through 7

  1. Look at the Filing Type to Ensure It Is Correct



  2. Click Next to select an Amendment Type on the following screen

  3. Select Collateral Change. Then click NEXT

    The Collateral Change checkbox is selected.

  4. Select an Authorizing Party (Debtor or Secured Party). Then, click NEXT

    The Collateral Change checkbox is selected.

  5. Confirm the Authorizing Party, then click NEXT



  6. The following screen asks for Collateral Details:

    • Select the type of collateral change: ADD. DELETE, or RESTATE
    • Details must be provided in the Collateral text box.
    • A document can be uploaded to explain the collateral change (not mandatory)



  7. Click “NEXT” to proceed to Review Information entered.

  8. Once the information is confirmed, click Checkout at the bottom right of the screen.

  9. Confirm Payment Method, then Submit.

  10. On the following screen, view Payment Confirmation Receipt

  11. Then, click “Home” to See UCC Filing History, where Form/Application will be available for Download

For UCC5 Information Statement:

Follow Amendment Filing steps 1 through 7

  1. Look at the Filing Type to Ensure It Is Correct. Then, click Next to select an Amendment Type



  2. Select UCC5 Information Statement



  3. Select an Authorizing Party. Confirm the Change by Checking the Box

    The Secured Party radio button is selected.

  4. Click “NEXT” to proceed to the Information Statement Claim page

    Fill Out the Information Statement Claim.
    • State which filing this UCC5 pertains to
    • Choose whether Record is inaccurate, wrong, or filed by someone unauthorized to do so. Then, describe why in text box
    • Document related to claim can be uploaded.




  5. Click “NEXT”

  6. Review the Information. Then, click “CHECKOUT”



  7. Once the information is confirmed, click Checkout at the bottom right of the screen.

  8. On Checkout page, click Proceed to Payment.

  9. Confirm Payment Method, then Submit.

  10. On the following screen, view Payment Confirmation Receipt.

  11. Then, click “Home” to See UCC Filing History, where Form/Application will be available for Download

For Continuation:

Follow Amendment Filing steps 1 through 7

  1. Look at the Filing Type to Ensure It Is Correct. Then, click Next to select an Amendment Type

  2. Select Continuation. Then, click NEXT



  3. Select an Authorizing Party (Debtor or Secured Party). Confirm the Change by checking the box. Then click NEXT

    The Secured Party radio button is selected.

  4. Review the Information. Then, click “CHECKOUT”



  5. Once the information is confirmed, click Checkout at the bottom right of the screen.

  6. On Checkout page, click Proceed to Payment.

  7. Confirm Payment Method, then Submit.

  8. On the following screen, view Payment Confirmation Receipt.

  9. Then, click “Home” to See UCC Filing History, where Form/Application will be available for Download

How to File a Master Filing

  1. Log into SOS Portal
    • Action: Navigate to the SOS website and enter your login credentials.



  2. Select UCC tile on the dashboard
    • Action: From the main menu, locate and click on the UCC tile.



  3. You Will Then See Your UCC Filing History



  4. Click “START NEW FILING”

    The Start New Filing button appears at the top-right

  5. Select the type UCC filing needed

    On the "Select Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Filing" screen, the "Master amend existing filings" tile is selected.

For Master Assignment

  1. Select Master Filing Type, then click NEXT

    The Master Assignment tile is selected.

  2. Upload file with at least 50 filing numbers. Click VALIDATE. Then, click NEXT



  3. Enter the Current Secured Party’s information (Specify if Individual or Organization). Then, click NEXT

    The Organization radio button is selected.

  4. Add new Secured Party’s information (Specify if Individual or Organization). Then, click NEXT

    The Organization radio button is selected.

  5. Review the Information. Then, click “CHECKOUT”



  6. On Checkout page, click Proceed to Payment.

    The Proceed to Payment link will redirect users to an external page.

  7. Confirm Payment Method, then Submit.


  8. On the following screen, view Payment Confirmation Receipt.

  9. Then, click “Home” to See UCC Filing History, where Form/Application will be available for Download

For Master Amendment:

Follow Master Filing steps 1 through 5

  1. Select Master Filing Type, then click NEXT



  2. Upload file with at least 50 filing numbers. Click VALIDATE. Then, click NEXT



  3. Enter the Current Secured Party’s information (Specify if Individual or Organization). Then, click NEXT

    The Organization radio button is selected.

  4. Add new Secured Party’s information (Specify if Individual or Organization). Then, click NEXT

    The Organization radio button is selected.

  5. Review the Information. Then, click “CHECKOUT”



  6. On Checkout page, click Proceed to Payment.

    The Proceed to Payment link will redirect users to an external page.

  7. Confirm Payment Method, then Submit.

  8. On the following screen, view Payment Confirmation Receipt.

  9. Then, click “Home” to See UCC Filing History, where Form/Application will be available for Download

How to Search for and Order Filings

  1. Log into SOS Portal



  2. Select ‘Search & Order Records’ tile on the dashboard



  3. On Order History page, click NEW SEARCH



  4. The New Request screen explains that each search is $1.00. Click NEXT



  5. At Checkout, to pay Web Inquity-Search Fee, click Proceed to Payment



  6. Confirm Payment Method, then Submit.

  7. On the following screen, view Payment Confirmation Receipt. Then, click Continue



  8. Select Uniform Commercial Code tile to proceed to Search



  9. Select to search by Filing Number, Debtor, or Secured Party.



    1. For Filing Number search, enter Filing Number, then click NEXT

      The Filing Number radio button is selected.

    2. For Debtor search, enter Debtor’s Name (Individual or Organization), then click NEXT
      1. City, State, and Country fields are to help refine search, but not necessary.

      On the Search WIth section, the Debtor radio button is selected.

    3. For Secured Party search, enter Secured Party’s Name (Individual or Organization), then click NEXT
      1. City, State, and Country fields are to help refine search, but not necessary.



  10. Search results will offer a plain copy for download (when available). Certificates are also available for $15 each.

    Checkbox is available for Order Secured Party Search Certificate 15

    1. When certificate is ordered, there is an option to CHECKOUT



    2. Checkout screen will show Search Certificate Fee. Click Proceed to Payment



  11. Confirm Payment Method, then Submit.

  12. On the following screen, view Payment Confirmation Receipt.

  13. Click “Home” to return My Orders page, where Form/Application will be available for Download under Order Number. Click the Order Number link corresponding to recent search.

    The Order Number information appears within a table.

  14. Order Information page will show Order Item(s) in a table. Click download link to download plain copy and/or certificate





    This screenshot displays a PDF version of the form.

Bulk Orders

  1. Log into SOS Portal



  2. Click on Search & Order Records tile on the dashboard



  3. Click on Bulk Order Button

    My Order screen displays the Bulk Order button at the top of the page. A table containing information can also be seen on the screen.

  4. Select Bulk Order Type, Information Requested (Date or Filing Images), and indicate date range

    My Order screen displays the Bulk Order button at the top of the page. Tables containing information can also be seen on the screen.

  5. Click “NEXT”



  6. Review the order information. Then, click "Proceed to Payment”



  7. Review and confirm Payment Method. Then, click Submit.

  8. Proceed to Payment Confirmation Receipt Then, Click Home to Return to Search & Orders/My Orders homepage.

  9. On the Search & Orders/My Orders homepage, click My Bulk Orders to see recently the filed Bulk Order.

    My Bulk Orders link is displayed within the left-hand navigation.

  10. On the My Bulk Orders page, recent Bulk Orders will be in a table. Click on Order Number to access Order Information and Summary, where there will be a Download link



  11. On Summary screen ordered items (Master Unload and/or Daily Filing Update) can be downloaded as zip files. User needs 7-ZIP software to have the ability to open the downloaded zip files.

Accessing and Managing Bulk Filings

  1. Log into the SOS Portal



    Files can be seen under the Download column.

  2. Click on UCC tile on dashboard



  3. Click on Bulk Filing Payment.



  4. On the Bulk Filing Payment page, you will see a table displaying the history of your bulk filings. This table includes:

    • Date: The date of each filing.
    • Number of Initial Filings: The count of initial filings.
    • Number of Amendment Filings: The count of amendment filings.
    • Payment Status: The current payment status of each filing.
    • Total Cost: The total cost associated with each filing.
    • Pay for Filing: An option to pay for the filing.