9401. Place and effectiveness of filing

(1) The proper place to file in order to perfect a security interest is as follows:

(a) When the collateral is consumer goods, then in the office of the county recorder in the county of the debtor's residence or if the debtor is not a resident of this state, then in the office of county recorder of the county in which the goods are kept;

(b) When the collateral is crops growing or to be grown, timber to be cut or is minerals or the like (including oil and gas) or accounts subject to subdivision (5) of Section 9103, then in the office where a mortgage on the real estate would be recorded.

(c) In all other cases, in the office of the Secretary of State.

(2) A filing which is made in good faith in an improper place or not in all of the places required by this section is nevertheless effective with regard to any collateral as to which the filing complied with the requirements of this division and is also effective with regard to collateral covered by the financing statement against any person who has knowledge of the contents of such financing statement.

(3) A filing which is made in the proper place in this state continues effective even though the debtor's residence or place of business or the location of the collateral or its use, whichever controlled the original filing, is thereafter changed.

(4) The rules stated in Section 9103 determine whether filing is necessary in this state.

(5) Notwithstanding subdivision (1), and subject to subdivision (3) of Section 9302, the proper place to file in order to perfect a security interest in collateral, including fixtures, of a transmitting utility is the office of the Secretary of State. This filing also constitutes a fixture filing (Section 9313) as to the collateral described therein which is or is to become fixtures.

(6) For the purposes of this section, the residence of an organization is its place of business if it has one or its chief executive office if it has more than one place of business.

(7) The proper place to file a financing statement filed as a fixture filing is in the office where a mortgage on the real estate would be recorded.