(1) First day permitted.

(a) A continuation statement may be filed no earlier than six months preceding the date in which the financing statement would lapse. Example: If a financing statement will lapse on July 7th, the earliest the corresponding continuation statement may be filed is January 7th of the same year.

(b) If there is no corresponding date, the first day on which a continuation may be filed is the last day of the sixth month preceding the month in which the financing statement would lapse. Example: If a financing statement will lapse on October 31st, the earliest the corresponding continuation statement may be filed is April 30th. This rule is subject to the ability of the filing office to take delivery of the continuation statement.

(2) Last day permitted.

(a) The last day on which a continuation statement may be filed is the date upon which the related financing statement lapses. This rule is subject to the ability of the filing office to take delivery of the continuation statement. Accordingly, the time of filing of the continuation statement must occur on or prior to the last day. Delivery by certain means of communication may not be available on the last day if the filing office is not open for business or the online services are unavailable.

(b) The one exception to this rule pertains to a record which lapses on February 29th in a year when there is no February 29th. The last day on which a continuation statement may be filed is March 1st.