18 NCAC 05B .0503          RULES APPLIED TO SEARCH REQUESTS

Search results shall be produced by the application of standardized search logic to the name presented to the filing officer. Human judgment shall not play a role in determining the results of the search.  The following rules shall apply to searches:

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

(2)           No distinction shall be made between upper and lower case letters.

(3)           Punctuation marks and accents shall be disregarded.

(4)           Words and abbreviations at the end of a name that indicate the existence or nature of an organization as set forth in the "Ending Noise Words" list as promulgated and adopted by IACA shall be disregarded.  This list may be viewed or obtained by contacting the UCC Section.

(5)           The word "the" at the beginning of the search criteria shall be disregarded.

(6)           For first and middle names of individuals, initials shall be treated as the logical equivalent of all names that begin with such initials, and first name and no middle name or initial shall be equated with all middle names and initials.  For example, a search request for "John A. Smith" shall cause the search to retrieve all filings against all individual debtors with "John" or the initial "J" as the first name, "Smith" as the last name, and with the initial "A" or any name beginning with "A" in the middle name field.  If the search request were for "John Smith" (first and last names with no designation in the middle name field), the search shall retrieve all filings against individual debtors with "John" or the initial "J" as the first name, "Smith" as the last name and with any name or initial or no name or initial in the middle name field.

(7)           After using the preceding paragraphs of this Rule to modify the name to be searched, the search shall reveal only names of debtors that are contained in unlapsed financing statements and, exactly match the name requested, as modified.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 25-9-519; 25-9-523; 25-9-526;

Temporary Adoption Eff. July 2, 2001;

Eff. August 1, 2002;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. November 12, 2014.