Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), if the local law of this State governs perfection of a security interest or agricultural lien, the office in which to file a financing statement to perfect the security interest or agricultural lien is: The office designated for the filing or recording of a record of a mortgage on the related real property, if: The collateral is as–extracted collateral or timber to be cut; or The financing statement is filed as a fixture filing and the collateral is goods that are or are to become fixtures; or The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (“Department”), in all other cases, including a case in which the collateral is goods that are or are to become fixtures and the financing statement is not filed as a fixture filing. The office in which to file a financing statement to perfect a security interest in collateral, including fixtures, of a transmitting utility is the Department. The financing statement also constitutes a fixture filing as to the collateral indicated in the financing statement which is or is to become fixtures. This subsection does not apply to a financing statement that is a mortgage or deed of trust. If the Department or other office receives a financing statement under subsection (a) or (b) for filing and the secured party and the debtor identified on the financing statement are individuals, the Department or other office shall provide written notice of the filing of the financing statement to the debtor. Subject to paragraph (4), the Department or other office required to provide written notice under paragraph (2) shall determine the form of the notice. The written notice shall contain at least the following information: The debtor’s name and address as shown on the financing statement; The secured party’s name and address as shown on the financing statement; and The remedies available to the debtor if the debtor believes that the financing statement is erroneously or fraudulently filed.

In this section, “filing office” means an office described in § 9–501(a). “Filing office” includes the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. This section does not apply to a financing statement that is a mortgage or deed of trust. A person may not cause to be filed or recorded under this title a financing statement that the person knows is: False; Not authorized to be filed or recorded under this title; or Not related to a valid existing or potential commercial or financial transaction. If a filing office receives for filing a financing statement that the filing office has reason to believe is being filed by a person in violation of subsection (c), the filing office shall: Accept for filing the financing statement if it otherwise meets all filing requirements; and Send a notice to the persons specified in paragraph (2) that: Identifies the persons named in the financing statement; Indicates the date of filing and filing number of the financing statement; States the prohibition under subsection (c); States that the filing office has reason to believe that the financing statement has been filed in violation of subsection (c) and describes the factual basis for that belief; and Advises that the financing statement may be terminated by the filing office unless, within 45 days after the notice is sent by the filing office, a person who receives the notice sent by the filing office under paragraph (2) submits to the filing office an affidavit that states the person’s belief that the financing statement does not violate subsection (c) and provides the factual basis for that belief. The notice required under this subsection shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and by first–class mail, to: The person identified as the secured party, at the address provided for the person in the financing statement; The person identified as the debtor, at the address provided for the person in the financing statement; and If different from the person identified as the secured party, the person who submitted the financing statement for filing, provided that the person’s identity and address are known to the filing office. A person identified as a debtor in a financing statement filed with the filing office who believes that the financing statement was filed in violation of subsection (c) may submit to the filing office an affidavit stating the factual basis for the person’s belief. If the filing office receives an affidavit from a person under paragraph (1) and has reason to believe that the financing statement referenced in the affidavit was filed in violation of subsection (c), the filing office shall send the notice required under subsection (d). The State Department of Assessments and Taxation shall adopt by regulation and make available a form of affidavit that shall be used for the purposes described in subsections (d) and (e). The form shall require that the affidavit be sworn under the penalties of perjury. A filing office may terminate a financing statement after the expiration of the 45–day period specified in the notice required under subsection (d) if the filing office: Does not receive from a person who received the notice sent by the filing office under subsection (d) an affidavit that states the person’s belief that the financing statement does not violate subsection (c) and provides the factual basis for that belief; and Reasonably believes that the financing statement was filed in violation of subsection (c). A filing office that terminates a financing statement under this subsection shall promptly send notice of the termination in the same manner and to the same persons required for the notice sent under subsection (d)(2). If a filing office receives an affidavit in response to the notice sent by the filing office under subsection (d), the filing office shall review the affidavit to consider whether the financing statement was filed in violation of subsection (c). If, after reviewing the affidavit, a filing office reasonably believes that a financing statement was filed in violation of subsection (c), the filing office shall send to the persons specified in paragraph (3) a final notice that: Includes a copy of the notice sent by the filing office under subsection (d); States that the filing office reasonably believes that the financing statement has been filed in violation of subsection (c); and States that the filing office may terminate the financing statement 45 days after the final notice is sent by the filing office unless a person identified in the financing statement files a petition for judicial determination of the validity of the financing statement under subsection (i). The final notice shall be sent in the same manner required for the notice sent under subsection (d)(2) to: The same persons required for the notice sent under subsection (d)(2); and Any other person who responded in writing to the notice sent under subsection (d). A person who is identified in a financing statement and disagrees with a determination made by a filing office under subsection (h)(2) may file a petition in the circuit court for the county where the debtor is located or, if the debtor is not located in Maryland, where any affected property is located, seeking a determination of the validity of the financing statement. A petition filed under this subsection shall be filed within the 45–day period described in the final notice required under subsection (h). The parties to a proceeding under this subsection shall include all persons named in the financing statement. A filing office may not be joined as a party to a proceeding under this subsection. Service of process of a proceeding under this subsection may be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known addresses of the parties to be served. A copy of a petition filed under this subsection shall be mailed to the filing office after the petition has been filed and within the 45–day period described in the final notice required under subsection (h). If the filing office does not receive a copy of the petition within the 45–day period described in the final notice required under subsection (h), the filing office may terminate the financing statement. If the court determines that the financing statement was filed in violation of subsection (c): The court shall order that the filed financing statement be terminated; and The prevailing party shall provide a copy of the order to the filing office. On receipt of a court order requiring termination of a filed financing statement, the filing office shall: Terminate the financing statement; and File a record indicating that the financing statement was terminated in accordance with a court order. The court may award to the prevailing party: Damages sustained by the prevailing party; and Reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. A filing office may not: Charge a fee to carry out its obligations under this section, including for the sending of any notices required under this section; or Refund any fee paid for filing a financing statement terminated under this section. The State Department of Assessments and Taxation may adopt regulations to carry out this section.

Subject to subsection (b), a financing statement is sufficient only if it: Provides the name of the debtor; Provides the name of the secured party or a representative of the secured party; and Indicates the collateral covered by the financing statement. Except as otherwise provided in § 9–501(b), to be sufficient, a financing statement that covers as–extracted collateral or timber to be cut, or which is filed as a fixture filing and covers goods that are or are to become fixtures, must satisfy subsection (a) and also: Indicate that it covers this type of collateral; Indicate that it is to be recorded in the land records; Provide a description of the real property to which the collateral is related; and If the debtor does not have an interest of record in the real property, provide the name of a record owner. A record of a mortgage is effective, from the date of recording, as a financing statement filed as a fixture filing or as a financing statement covering as–extracted collateral or timber to be cut only if: The record indicates the goods or accounts that it covers; The goods are or are to become fixtures related to the real property described in the record or the collateral is related to the real property described in the record and is as–extracted collateral or timber to be cut; The record satisfies the requirements for a financing statement in this section, but: The record need not indicate that it is to be recorded in the land records; and The record sufficiently provides the name of a debtor who is an individual if it provides the individual name of the debtor or the surname and first personal name of the debtor, even if the debtor is an individual to whom § 9–503(a)(4) applies; and The record is recorded. A financing statement may be filed before a security agreement is made or a security interest otherwise attaches. A financing statement filed as a fixture filing, or addendum filed with a financing statement filed as a fixture filing, shall state whether the secured transaction to be perfected by the filing is or is not subject to recordation tax. If recordation tax is payable, the financing statement shall also disclose the principal amount of debt initially incurred.

A financing statement sufficiently provides the name of the debtor: Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3), if the debtor is a registered organization or the collateral is held in a trust that is a registered organization, only if the financing statement provides the name that is stated to be the registered organization’s name on the public organic record most recently filed with or issued or enacted by the registered organization’s jurisdiction of organization which purports to state, amend, or restate the registered organization’s name; Subject to subsection (f), if the collateral is being administered by the personal representative of a decedent, only if the financing statement provides, as the name of the debtor, the name of the decedent and, in a separate part of the financing statement, indicates that the collateral is being administered by a personal representative; If the collateral is held in a trust that is not a registered organization, only if the financing statement: Provides, as the name of the debtor: If the organic record of the trust specifies a name for the trust, the name so specified; or If the organic record of the trust does not specify a name for the trust, the name of the settlor or testator; and In a separate part of the financing statement: If the name is provided in accordance with subparagraph (A)(i), indicates that the collateral is held in a trust; or If the name is provided in accordance with subparagraph (A)(ii), provides additional information sufficient to distinguish the trust from other trusts having one or more of the same settlors or the same testator and indicates that the collateral is held in a trust, unless the additional information so indicates; Subject to subsection (g), if the debtor is an individual to whom this State has issued a driver’s license or an identification card that has not expired, only if it provides the name of the individual which is indicated on the driver’s license or identification card; If the debtor is an individual to whom paragraph (4) does not apply, only if it provides the individual name of the debtor or the surname and first personal name of the debtor; and In other cases: If the debtor has a name, only if it provides the organizational name of the debtor; and If the debtor does not have a name, only if it provides the names of the partners, members, associates, or other persons comprising the debtor, in a manner that each name provided would be sufficient if the person named were the debtor. A financing statement that provides the name of the debtor in accordance with subsection (a) of this section is not rendered ineffective by the absence of: A trade name or other name of the debtor; or Unless required under subsection (a)(6)(B), names of partners, members, associates, or other persons comprising the debtor. A financing statement that provides only the debtor’s trade name does not sufficiently provide the name of the debtor. Failure to indicate the representative capacity of a secured party or representative of a secured party does not affect the sufficiency of a financing statement. A financing statement may provide the name of more than one debtor and the name of more than one secured party. The name of the decedent indicated on the order appointing the personal representative of the decedent issued by the court having jurisdiction over the collateral is sufficient as the “name of the decedent” under subsection (a)(2). If this State has issued to an individual more than one driver’s license or identification card of a kind described in subsection (a)(4), the one that was issued most recently is the one to which subsection (a)(4) refers. In this section, the “name of the settlor or testator” means: If the settlor is a registered organization, the name that is stated to be the settlor’s name on the public organic record most recently filed with or issued or enacted by the settlor’s jurisdiction of organization which purports to state, amend, or restate the settlor’s name; or In other cases, the name of the settlor or testator indicated in the trust’s organic record.

A financing statement sufficiently indicates the collateral that it covers if the financing statement provides: A description of the collateral pursuant to § 9-108; or An indication that the financing statement covers all assets or all personal property.

A consignor, lessor, or other bailor of goods, a licensor, or a buyer of a payment intangible or promissory note may file a financing statement, or may comply with a statute or treaty described in § 9-311(a), using the terms “consignor”, “consignee”, “lessor”, “lessee”, “bailor”, “bailee”, “licensor”, “licensee”, “owner”, “registered owner”, “buyer”, “seller”, or words of similar import, instead of the terms “secured party” and “debtor”. This subtitle applies to the filing of a financing statement under subsection (a) and, as appropriate, to compliance that is equivalent to filing a financing statement under § 9-311(b), but the filing or compliance is not of itself a factor in determining whether the collateral secures an obligation. If it is determined for another reason that the collateral secures an obligation, a security interest held by the consignor, lessor, bailor, licensor, owner, or buyer which attaches to the collateral is perfected by the filing or compliance.

A financing statement substantially satisfying the requirements of this subtitle is effective, even if it has minor errors or omissions, unless the errors or omissions make the financing statement seriously misleading. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), a financing statement that fails sufficiently to provide the name of the debtor in accordance with § 9-503(a) is seriously misleading. If a search of the records of the filing office under the debtor’s correct name, using the filing office’s standard search logic, if any, would disclose a financing statement that fails sufficiently to provide the name of the debtor in accordance with § 9-503(a), the name provided does not make the financing statement seriously misleading. For purposes of § 9-508(b), the “debtor’s correct name” in subsection (c) means the correct name of the new debtor.

A filed financing statement remains effective with respect to collateral that is sold, exchanged, leased, licensed, or otherwise disposed of and in which a security interest or agricultural lien continues, even if the secured party knows of or consents to the disposition. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) and § 9–508, a financing statement is not rendered ineffective if, after the financing statement is filed, the information provided in the financing statement becomes seriously misleading under § 9–506. If the name that a filed financing statement provides for a debtor becomes insufficient as the name of the debtor under § 9–503(a) so that the financing statement becomes seriously misleading under § 9–506: The financing statement is effective to perfect a security interest in collateral acquired by the debtor before, or within four months after, the filed financing statement becomes seriously misleading; and The financing statement is not effective to perfect a security interest in collateral acquired by the debtor more than four months after the filed financing statement becomes seriously misleading, unless an amendment to the financing statement which renders the financing statement not seriously misleading is filed within four months after the financing statement became seriously misleading.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, a filed financing statement naming an original debtor is effective to perfect a security interest in collateral in which a new debtor has or acquires rights to the extent that the financing statement would have been effective had the original debtor acquired rights in the collateral. If the difference between the name of the original debtor and that of the new debtor causes a filed financing statement that is effective under subsection (a) to be seriously misleading under § 9-506: The financing statement is effective to perfect a security interest in collateral acquired by the new debtor before, and within four months after, the new debtor becomes bound under § 9-203(d); and The financing statement is not effective to perfect a security interest in collateral acquired by the new debtor more than four months after the new debtor becomes bound under § 9-203(d) unless an initial financing statement providing the name of the new debtor is filed before the expiration of that time. This section does not apply to collateral as to which a filed financing statement remains effective against the new debtor under § 9-507(a).

A person may file an initial financing statement, amendment that adds collateral covered by a financing statement, or amendment that adds a debtor to a financing statement only if: The debtor authorizes the filing in an authenticated record or pursuant to subsection (b) or (c); or The person holds an agricultural lien that has become effective at the time of filing and the financing statement covers only collateral in which the person holds an agricultural lien. By authenticating or becoming bound as a debtor by a security agreement, a debtor or new debtor authorizes the filing of an initial financing statement, and an amendment, covering: The collateral described in the security agreement; and Property that becomes collateral under § 9–315(a)(2), whether or not the security agreement expressly covers proceeds. By acquiring collateral in which a security interest or agricultural lien continues under § 9–315(a)(1), a debtor authorizes the filing of an initial financing statement, and an amendment, covering the collateral and property that becomes collateral under § 9–315(a)(2). A person may file an amendment other than an amendment that adds collateral covered by a financing statement or an amendment that adds a debtor to a financing statement only if: The secured party of record authorizes the filing; or The amendment is a termination statement for a financing statement as to which the secured party of record has failed to file or send a termination statement as required by § 9–513, the debtor authorizes the filing, and the termination statement indicates that the debtor authorized it to be filed. If there is more than one secured party of record for a financing statement, each secured party of record may authorize the filing of an amendment under subsection (d). A person who files a financing statement or an amendment to a financing statement that the person knows contains false information is subject to the penalty provided in § 9–508 of the Criminal Law Article.

A filed record is effective only to the extent that it was filed by a person that may file it under § 9-509. A record authorized by one secured party of record does not affect the financing statement with respect to another secured party of record. A continuation statement that is not filed within the six-month period prescribed by § 9-515(d) is ineffective.

A secured party of record with respect to a financing statement is a person whose name is provided as the name of the secured party or a representative of the secured party in an initial financing statement that has been filed. If an initial financing statement is filed under § 9-514(a), the assignee named in the initial financing statement is the secured party of record with respect to the financing statement. If an amendment of a financing statement which provides the name of a person as a secured party or a representative of a secured party is filed, the person named in the amendment is a secured party of record. If an amendment is filed under § 9-514(b), the assignee named in the amendment is a secured party of record. A person remains a secured party of record until the filing of an amendment of the financing statement which deletes the person.

Subject to § 9-509, a person may add or delete collateral covered by, continue or terminate the effectiveness of, or, subject to subsection (e), otherwise amend the information provided in, a financing statement by filing an amendment that: Identifies, by its file number, the initial financing statement to which the amendment relates; and If the amendment relates to an initial financing statement filed or recorded in a filing office described in § 9-501(a)(1), provides the information specified in § 9-502(b). Except as otherwise provided in § 9-515, the filing of an amendment does not extend the period of effectiveness of the financing statement. A financing statement that is amended by an amendment that adds collateral is effective as to the added collateral only from the date of the filing of the amendment. A financing statement that is amended by an amendment that adds a debtor is effective as to the added debtor only from the date of the filing of the amendment. An amendment is ineffective to the extent it: Purports to delete all debtors and fails to provide the name of a debtor to be covered by the financing statement; or Purports to delete all secured parties of record and fails to provide the name of a new secured party of record.

A secured party shall cause the secured party of record for a financing statement to file a termination statement for the financing statement if the financing statement covers consumer goods and: There is no obligation secured by the collateral covered by the financing statement and no commitment to make an advance, incur an obligation, or otherwise give value; or The debtor did not authorize the filing of the initial financing statement. To comply with subsection (a), a secured party shall cause the secured party of record to file the termination statement: Within 1 month after there is no obligation secured by the collateral covered by the financing statement and no commitment to make an advance, incur an obligation, or otherwise give value; or If earlier, within 20 days after the secured party receives an authenticated demand from a debtor. In cases not governed by subsection (a), within 20 days after a secured party receives an authenticated demand from a debtor, the secured party shall cause the secured party of record for a financing statement to send to the debtor a termination statement for the financing statement or file the termination statement in the filing office if: Except in the case of a financing statement covering accounts or chattel paper that has been sold or goods that are the subject of a consignment, there is no obligation secured by the collateral covered by the financing statement and no commitment to make an advance, incur an obligation, or otherwise give value; The financing statement covers accounts or chattel paper that has been sold but as to which the account debtor or other person obligated has discharged its obligation; The financing statement covers goods that were the subject of a consignment to the debtor but are not in the debtor’s possession; or The debtor did not authorize the filing of the initial financing statement. Except as otherwise provided in § 9-510, upon the filing of a termination statement with the filing office, the financing statement to which the termination statement relates ceases to be effective. Except as otherwise provided in § 9-510, for purposes of §§ 9-519(f), 9-522(a), and 9-523(b), the filing with the filing office of a termination statement relating to a financing statement that indicates that the debtor is a transmitting utility also causes the effectiveness of the financing statement to lapse.

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), an initial financing statement may reflect an assignment of all of the secured party’s power to authorize an amendment to the financing statement by providing the name and mailing address of the assignee as the name and address of the secured party. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), a secured party of record may assign of record all or part of its power to authorize an amendment to a financing statement by filing in the filing office an amendment of the financing statement which: Identifies, by its file number, the initial financing statement to which it relates; Provides the name of the assignor; and Provides the name and mailing address of the assignee. An assignment of record of a security interest in a fixture covered by a record of a mortgage which is effective as a financing statement filed as a fixture filing under § 9-502(c) may be made only by an assignment of record of the mortgage in the manner provided by law of this State other than the Commercial Law Article.

Except as otherwise provided in subsections (b), (e), (f), and (g), a filed financing statement is effective for a period of five years after the date of filing. Except as otherwise provided in subsections (e), (f), and (g), an initial financing statement filed in connection with a public–finance transaction or manufactured–home transaction is effective for a period of 30 years after the date of filing if it indicates that it is filed in connection with a public–finance transaction or manufactured–home transaction. The effectiveness of a filed financing statement lapses on the expiration of the period of its effectiveness unless before the lapse a continuation statement is filed pursuant to subsection (d). Upon lapse, a financing statement ceases to be effective and any security interest or agricultural lien that was perfected by the financing statement becomes unperfected, unless the security interest is perfected otherwise. If the security interest or agricultural lien becomes unperfected upon lapse, it is deemed never to have been perfected as against a purchaser of the collateral for value. A continuation statement may be filed only within six months before the expiration of the five–year period specified in subsection (a), the 30–year period specified in subsection (b), or the date the financing statement ceases to be effective under § 9–705(c) of this title, whichever is applicable. Except as otherwise provided in § 9–510, upon timely filing of a continuation statement, the effectiveness of the initial financing statement continues for a period of five years commencing on the day on which the financing statement would have become ineffective in the absence of the filing. Upon the expiration of the five–year period, the financing statement lapses in the same manner as provided in subsection (c), unless, before the lapse, another continuation statement is filed pursuant to subsection (d). Succeeding continuation statements may be filed in the same manner to continue the effectiveness of the initial financing statement. If a debtor is a transmitting utility and a filed initial financing statement so indicates, the financing statement is effective until a termination statement is filed. A record of a mortgage that is effective as a financing statement filed as a fixture filing under § 9–502(c) remains effective as a financing statement filed as a fixture filing until the mortgage is released or satisfied of record or its effectiveness otherwise terminates as to the real property.

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), communication of a record to a filing office and tender of the filing fee or acceptance of the record by the filing office constitutes filing. Filing does not occur with respect to a record that a filing office refuses to accept because: The record is not communicated by a method or medium of communication authorized by the filing office; An amount equal to or greater than the applicable filing fee is not tendered; The filing office is unable to index the record because: In the case of an initial financing statement, the record does not provide a name for the debtor; In the case of an amendment or information statement, the record: Does not identify the initial financing statement as required by § 9–512 or § 9–518, as applicable; or Identifies an initial financing statement whose effectiveness has lapsed under § 9–515; In the case of an initial financing statement that provides the name of a debtor identified as an individual or an amendment that provides a name of a debtor identified as an individual which was not previously provided in the financing statement to which the record relates, the record does not identify the debtor’s surname; or In the case of a record filed or recorded in the filing office described in § 9–501(a)(1), the record does not provide a sufficient description of the real property to which it relates; In the case of an initial financing statement or an amendment that adds a secured party of record, the record does not provide a name and mailing address for the secured party of record; In the case of an initial financing statement or an amendment that provides a name of a debtor which was not previously provided in the financing statement to which the amendment relates, the record does not: Provide a mailing address for the debtor; or Indicate whether the name provided as the name of the debtor is the name of an individual or an organization; In the case of an assignment reflected in an initial financing statement under § 9–514(a) or an amendment filed under § 9–514(b), the record does not provide a name and mailing address for the assignee; In the case of a continuation statement, the record is not filed within the six–month period prescribed by § 9–515(d); or The information required by § 9–502(e) is not provided or recordation tax payable is not tendered with the financing statement. For purposes of subsection (b): A record does not provide information if the filing office is unable to read or decipher the information; and A record that does not indicate that it is an amendment or identify an initial financing statement to which it relates, as required by § 9–512, § 9–514, or § 9–518, is an initial financing statement. A record that is communicated to the filing office with tender of the filing fee, but which the filing office refuses to accept for a reason other than one set forth in subsection (b), is effective as a filed record except as against a purchaser of the collateral which gives value in reasonable reliance upon the absence of the record from the files.

The failure of the filing office to index a record correctly does not affect the effectiveness of the filed record.

A person may file in the filing office an information statement with respect to a record indexed there under the person’s name if the person believes that the record is inaccurate or was wrongfully filed. An information statement under subsection (a) must: Identify the record to which it relates by: The file number assigned to the initial financing statement to which the record relates; and If the information statement relates to a record recorded in a filing office described in § 9–501(a)(1), the date and time that the initial financing statement was recorded and the information specified in § 9–502(b); Indicate that it is an information statement; and Provide the basis for the person’s belief that the record is inaccurate and indicate the manner in which the person believes the record should be amended to cure any inaccuracy or provide the basis for the person’s belief that the record was wrongfully filed. A person may file in the filing office an information statement with respect to a record filed there if the person is a secured party of record with respect to the financing statement to which the record relates and believes that the person that filed the record was not entitled to do so under § 9–509(d). An information statement under subsection (c) shall: Identify the record to which it relates by: The file number assigned to the initial financing statement to which the record relates; and If the information statement relates to a record recorded in a filing office described in § 9–501(a)(1), the date and time that the initial financing statement was recorded and the information specified in § 9–502(b); Indicate that it is an information statement; and Provide the basis for the person’s belief that the person that filed the record was not entitled to do so under § 9–509(d). The filing of an information statement does not affect the effectiveness of an initial financing statement or other filed record.

For each record filed in a filing office, the filing office shall: Assign a unique number to the filed record; Create a record that bears the number assigned to the filed record and the date and time of filing; Maintain the filed record for public inspection; and Index the filed record in accordance with subsections (b), (c), and (d). Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d), the filing office shall: Index an initial financing statement according to the name of the debtor and index all filed records relating to the initial financing statement in a manner that associates with one another an initial financing statement and all filed records relating to the initial financing statement; and Index a record that provides a name of a debtor which was not previously provided in the financing statement to which the record relates also according to the name that was not previously provided. If a financing statement is filed as a fixture filing or covers as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut, it must be recorded in the land records and the filing office shall index it: Under the names of the debtor and of each owner of record shown on the financing statement as if they were the mortgagors under a mortgage of the real property described; and To the extent that the law of this State provides for indexing of records of mortgages under the name of the mortgagee, under the name of the secured party as if the secured party were the mortgagee thereunder, or, if indexing is by description, as if the financing statement were a record of a mortgage of the real property described. If a financing statement is filed as a fixture filing or covers as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut, the filing office shall index an assignment filed under § 9-514(a) or an amendment filed under § 9-514(b): Under the name of the assignor as grantor; and To the extent that the law of this State provides for indexing a record of the assignment of a mortgage under the name of the assignee, under the name of the assignee. The filing office shall maintain a capability: To retrieve a record by the name of the debtor and by the file number assigned to the initial financing statement to which the record relates; and To associate and retrieve with one another an initial financing statement and each filed record relating to the initial financing statement. The filing office may not remove a debtor’s name from the index until one year after the effectiveness of a financing statement naming the debtor lapses under § 9-515 with respect to all secured parties of record. The filing office shall perform the acts required by subsections (a) through (d) at the time and in the manner prescribed by filing-office rule. Subsections (b) and (g) do not apply to a filing office described in § 9-501(a)(1).

A filing office shall refuse to accept a record for filing for a reason set forth in § 9-516(b) and may refuse to accept a record for filing only for a reason set forth in § 9-516(b). If a filing office refuses to accept a record for filing, it shall communicate to the person that presented the record the fact of and reason for the refusal and the date and time the record would have been filed had the filing office accepted it. The communication must be made at the time and in the manner prescribed by filing-office rule. A filed financing statement satisfying § 9-502(a) and (b) is effective, even if the filing office is required to refuse to accept it for filing under subsection (a). However, § 9-338 applies to a filed financing statement providing information described in § 9-516(b)(5) which is incorrect at the time the financing statement is filed. If a record communicated to a filing office provides information that relates to more than one debtor, this part applies as to each debtor separately.

A filing office that accepts written records may not refuse to accept a written initial financing statement, addendum, or amendment in the form and format set forth in the official text of the 2010 amendments to Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code promulgated by the American Law Institute and the Uniform Law Commission, except for a reason set forth in § 9–516(b).

The filing office shall maintain a record of the information provided in a filed financing statement for at least one year after the effectiveness of the financing statement has lapsed under § 9-515 with respect to all secured parties of record. The record must be retrievable by using the name of the debtor and by using the file number assigned to the initial financing statement to which the record relates. Except to the extent that a statute governing disposition of public records provides otherwise, the filing office immediately may destroy any written record evidencing a financing statement. However, if the filing office destroys a written record, it shall maintain another record of the financing statement which complies with subsection (a).

If a person that files a written record requests an acknowledgment of the filing, the filing office shall send to the person an image of the record showing the number assigned to the record pursuant to § 9-519(a)(1) and the date and time of the filing of the record. However, if the person furnishes a copy of the record to the filing office, the filing office may instead: Note upon the copy the number assigned to the record pursuant to § 9-519(a)(1) and the date and time of the filing of the record; and Send the copy to the person. The filing office shall make available to the general public records indexed both in the names of debtors and by unique file numbers, based upon which copies of filed records may be obtained. In complying with its duty under subsection (b), the filing office may communicate information in any medium.

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), the fee for filing and indexing a record under this part, other than an initial financing statement of the kind described in § 9-502(c), is: $25 if the record is communicated in writing and consists of eight or fewer pages; $75 if the record is communicated in writing and consists of more than eight pages; and $25 if the record is communicated by another medium authorized by filing-office rule. The number of names required to be indexed does not affect the amount of the fee in subsection (a). This section does not require a fee with respect to a record of a mortgage which is effective as a financing statement filed as a fixture filing or as a financing statement covering as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut under § 9-502(c). However, the recording and satisfaction fees that otherwise would be applicable to the record of the mortgage apply.

The Department shall adopt and publish rules to implement this subtitle. The filing-office rules must be: Consistent with this subtitle; and Adopted and published in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article. To keep the filing-office rules and practices of the filing office in harmony with the rules and practices of filing offices in other jurisdictions that enact substantially this subtitle, and to keep the technology used by the filing office compatible with the technology used by filing offices in other jurisdictions that enact substantially this subtitle, the Department, so far as is consistent with the purposes, policies, and provisions of this title, in adopting, amending, and repealing filing-office rules, shall: Consult with filing offices in other jurisdictions that enact substantially this subtitle; Consult the most recent version of the Model Rules promulgated by the International Association of Corporate Administrators or any successor organization; and Take into consideration the rules and practices of, and the technology used by, filing offices in other jurisdictions that enact substantially this subtitle.