{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-28-9-203","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 28:9-203","heading":"Attachment and enforceability of security interest; proceeds; supporting obligations; formal requisites.","body":"(a)\nA security interest attaches to collateral when it becomes enforceable against the debtor with respect to the collateral, unless an agreement expressly postpones the time of attachment.\n\n(b)\nExcept as otherwise provided in subsections (c) through (i), a security interest is enforceable against the debtor and third parties with respect to the collateral only if:\n(1)\nValue has been given;\n(2)\nThe debtor has rights in the collateral or the power to transfer rights in the collateral to a secured party; and\n(3)\nOne of the following conditions is met:\n(A)\nThe debtor has signed a security agreement that provides a description of the collateral and, if the security interest covers timber to be cut, a description of the land concerned;\n(B)\nThe collateral is not a certificated security and is in the possession of the secured party under § 28:9-313 pursuant to the debtor’s security agreement;\n(C)\nThe collateral is a certificated security in registered form and the security certificate has been delivered to the secured party under § 28:8-301 pursuant to the debtor’s security agreement;\n(D)\nThe collateral is controllable accounts, controllable electronic records, controllable payment intangibles, deposit accounts, electronic documents, electronic money, investment property, or letter-of-credit rights, and the secured party has control under § 28:7-106, § 28:9-104, § 28:9-105A, § 28:9-106, § 28:9-107, or § 28:9-107A pursuant to the debtor's security agreement; or\n(E)\nThe collateral is chattel paper and the secured party has possession and control under § 28:9-314A pursuant to the debtor's security agreement.\n\n(c)\nSubsection (b) is subject to § 28:4-210 on the security interest of a collecting bank, § 28:5-118 on the security interest of a letter-of-credit issuer or nominated person, § 28:9-110 on a security interest arising under Article 2 or 2A, and § 28:9-206 on security interests in investment property.\n\n(d)\nA person becomes bound as debtor by a security agreement entered into by another person if, by operation of law other than this article or by contract:\n(1)\nThe security agreement becomes effective to create a security interest in the person’s property; or\n(2)\nThe person becomes generally obligated for the obligations of the other person, including the obligation secured under the security agreement, and acquires or succeeds to all or substantially all of the assets of the other person.\n\n(e)\nIf a new debtor becomes bound as debtor by a security agreement entered into by another person:\n(1)\nThe agreement satisfies subsection (b)(3) of this section with respect to existing or after-acquired property of the new debtor to the extent the property is described in the agreement; and\n(2)\nAnother agreement is not necessary to make a security interest in the property enforceable.\n\n(f)\nThe attachment of a security interest in collateral gives the secured party the rights to proceeds provided by § 28:9-315 and is also attachment of a security interest in a supporting obligation for the collateral.\n\n(g)\nThe attachment of a security interest in a right to payment or performance secured by a security interest or other lien on personal or real property is also attachment of a security interest in the security interest, mortgage, or other lien.\n\n(h)\nThe attachment of a security interest in a securities account is also attachment of a security interest in the security entitlements carried in the securities account.\n\n(i)\nThe attachment of a security interest in a commodity account is also attachment of a security interest in the commodity contracts carried in the commodity account.","path":["Title 28. Commercial Instruments and Transactions. [Enacted title]","Subtitle I. Uniform Commercial Code.","Article 9. Secured Transactions.","Part II. Effectiveness of Security Agreement; Attachment of Security Interest; Rights of Parties to Security Agreement.","Subpart 1. Effectiveness and Attachment."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/28:9-203","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"71b4c282bd37e51361ecd603a26428c10aafb3eb65c9349a336895faaccc32c4","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-28-9-202","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-28-9-204"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}