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LeapLaw's 50 State Blawg  > South Carolina
Sponsored by:
ParaNet Corporation Services, Inc.
ParaNet Corporation Services, Inc.
3761 Venture Drive
Duluth, GA 30096
www.paranetlegal.com
Phone: (770) 497-9977
Toll Free: (800) 277-9977
Fax: (800) 815-0477



Triad Professional Services, LLC
Triad Professional Services, LLC
Parkway Forest 100, Suite 150
2050 Marconi Drive
Alpharetta, GA 30005
/www.triadpros.com
Phone: (877) 805-6723
Fax: (770) 220-1943




Search posts for:

Basics Box: South Carolina
Secretary of State
Status Search
Forms
  • Fax File:
  • UCC: Yes (with an account)
    Corporate: No
  • E File:
  • UCC: No
    Corporate: No
  • Expedited Services:
  • UCC: No (3-5 day turnaround)
    Corporate: No (3-5 day turnaround)
  • Name Reservations:
  • Yes (120 days)
  • Preclearance:
  • No
    Advantages of Choosing NRAI as Your Registered Agent (South Carolina)
    Apostilles and Authentications (South Carolina)
    Contact Information South Carolina Secretary of State
    Domestic Corporate Dissolution Summary (South Carolina)
    Domestic Corporation Summary (South Carolina)
    Foreign Qualification Summary (South Carolina)
    LLC - Formation Summary (South Carolina)
    Recommended Service Companies (South Carolina)
    UCC Filings (South Carolina)

    Advantages of Choosing NRAI as Your Registered Agent (South Carolina)
    NRAI offers the most comprehensive suite of registered agent and entity management services available anywhere. Services are available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and in most International Jurisdictions and include:

  • Comprehensive Nationwide and International Registered Agent Network

  • Registered Agent and Registered Office in all locations

  • Telephone and e-mail notification of Service of Process

  • Free delivery of all Service of Process via express courier

  • Computerized tracking of Service of Process

  • Forwarding of all official communications received including tax forms

  • Customized electronic tax calendar

  • Full access to NRAI Document Library and website tools

  • Convenient annual invoicing for all company groups, resulting in one common renewal month selected by the client

  • Representation as agent under contract such as loan agreements, etc.

  • Nominee Officer and Director and Holding company services

  • Special representation under specific statutes such as insurance, banking, broker dealer, real estate, etc.

  • Special Purpose Entity Services such as Independent Director/Member/Trustee

  • Annual Report filings services (ARMS)

  • Electronic annual report filing in some jurisdictions

  • Access to the NRAI Affiliate Network of over 500 services professionals

  • And more………

    NRAI offers the most competitive rates and in most instances can provide substantial savings over your existing service with an upgrade in responsiveness and service. To learn more about NRAI services, contact either NRAI or NRAI Affiliate Network members.
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  • Apostilles and Authentications (South Carolina)
    The South Carolina Secretary of State (SC SOS) provides apostilles and authentications for $2.00 for documents that have been notarized by SC notaries.

    Further instructions can be found at SC SOS web site.

    If a document is to be sent to a country that is not a member of the Hague Convention, further authentication may be required by the consulate or embassador to that country.

    About Authentication and Apostilles

    Authentication or a certificate of magistracy is an official certificate issued by the state official's office where the notary public is commissioned, confirming the existence of the notary public (or public officer) who has notarized the document. These certifications may be required when a document is being sent to another state or foreign country.

    If the countries where the document is being sent is a member of the Hague Convention, you can receive an "apostille" from the state where the notary is commissioned.

    In order to obtain an apostille or authentication, the document must be an original signed by the executing party, bearing an accurate notary public's signature (exact name of the notary as it currently stands of the state's records), date commission expires and notarial seal.

    If the country is not a member of the Hague Convention, the authentication process is a two step process. First the document will require certification from the SC SOS as to the notary's signature. Second, it will require authentication of the country's embassy or consulate.

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    Contact Information South Carolina Secretary of State
    Physical Address
    Edgar Brown Building
    1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
    Columbia, SC 29201

    Mailing Address
    P.O. Box 11350
    Columbia, SC 29211

    Phone Numbers:

    Main Switchboard: 803-734-2170

    Business Filings: 803-734-2158

    Corporations: 803-734-2158

    Fax Numbers:

    Corporations: 803-734-1614

    UCC: 803-734-1610


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    Domestic Corporate Dissolution Summary (South Carolina)
    Pursuant to South Carolina Business Corporation Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 33-14) to successfully dissolve a South Carolina corporation files Articles of Dissolution.

    Consents:

    Prior to Stock Issuance or Commencing Business: Majority of incorporators.

    After Stock Issuance:

    - Resolution of the board of directors and 2/3 of all voting shareholders at a meeting or by unanimous written consent.

    - Proposal by 10% of shareholders and 2/3 of all shareholders entitled to vote by consent or at a meeting.

    Tax Clearance: No tax clearance is required.

    Execution and Filing: Signed by officer or incorporator(s). Submit the original and one conformed copy to the SC SOS.

    Filing Fee: $10.00.

    Dissolutions, Generally

    A corporation, by a recommendation of directors and a majority vote of stockholders or incorporators if stock has not yet been issued, may elect to voluntarily dissolve and liquidate. Generally, this will involve a sale of all the corporation’s assets, satisfaction of all debts of the corporation, and the distribution of any remaining assets to the stockholders according to the liquidation procedures and priorities set forth in the corporation’s charter.

    IRS liquidation issues are provided for in IRC Sections 331 and 336, which provide for distribution to stockholders. An IRS Form 966 is required to be filed as part of the dissolution.

    For more information regarding dissolutions, see LeapLaw's Dissolution Best Practice Summary.

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    Domestic Corporation Summary (South Carolina)
    Pursuant to South Carolina Business Corporation Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 33-1-101 et seq.) a corporation incorporating in South Carolina files Articles of Incorporation with the South Carolina Secretary of State (SC SOS).

    If the company's name is not available, an Adoption of Fictitious Name must be filed.

    Corporate Name: The corporate name must contain "corporation" "company" "incorporated" "limited" or abbreviation thereof.

    Maximum Stock for Minimum Filing Fee: None.

    No. of Directors: The corporation may have 1 director.

    Paid in Capital: There is no minimum amount of paid in capital required to commence business.

    Purpose: No specific business purpose is required.

    Preemptive Rights: Granted unless specifically denied.

    Cumulative Voting: Granted unless specifically denied.

    Incorporator: Incorporator may be anyone over 18 years of age and does not have to be a resident of South Carolina.

    Execution and Filing:

    The filing must be signed by a SC attorney.

    Submit duplicate original to the SC SOS together with one executed original of (Form C-1) Initial Annual Report of Corporations.

    Minimum Filing Fee: $135.00

    Incorporations, Generally

    A corporation is a legal entity created through and subject to the state laws of its state of incorporation. The separate legal existence of a corporation begins when the charter is filed with the secretary of state of the state of incorporation. State laws vary regarding the documents required to organize a corporation and the management of its internal affairs and corporate powers.

    LeapLaw's Incorporation Checklist identifies the information needed for an incorporation.

    A complete incorporation process generally consists of:

  • Determining name availability and possibly reserving the name

  • Performing trademark, trade name and domain name preliminary or full searches

  • Preparing a charter document for filing

  • Drafting bylaws

  • Preparing consent of incorporator (if applicable under relevant state law)

  • Preparing an organizational consent of directors

  • Obtaining the federal tax identification number by preparing IRS Form SS-4

  • Preparing IRS Form 2553 (if the company intends to qualify as an S corporation pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code)

  • Preparing a specimen stock certificate as well as all stock certificates of representing the initial stock issuance

  • Creating a stock ledger

  • Preparing and filing applications of foreign qualifications (if any)

  • Organizing the minute book

    For more information regarding incorporations, see LeapLaw's Incorporation Best Practice Summary.

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  • Foreign Qualification Summary (South Carolina)
    Pursuant to the South Carolina Business Corporation Act, a foreign corporation may not transact business in this state until it files an Application for Certificate of Authority with the SC SOS.

    Name of Corporation: Name must contain "corporation" "company" "incorporated" "limited" or abbreviation thereof.

    Certificate of Existence: An original certificate of the corporation's legal existence issued from its domestic state, dated no more than 30 days earlier, must be attached to the Application for Certificate of Authority.

    Filing and Execution: The filing is signed by an officer of the company. Duplicate originals are filed with the SC SOS together with one executed original of (Form C-1) Initial Annual Report of Corporations.

    Filing Fee: minimum $135.00 (includes initial annual report fee).

    Foreign Qualifications, Generally

    A business entity is initially recognized as a legal entity only in its state of incorporation or formation. If the company plans to "do business" in any other state, it must qualify or register before doing so. State laws, found at LeapLaw's Corporate/LLC Connection provide requirements for business entities doing business in each state.

    For more information regarding doing business in foreign states, see LeapLaw's Foreign Qualification Best Practice Summary.

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    LLC - Formation Summary (South Carolina)
    Pursuant to the South Carolina Limited Liability Company Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 33-44-101 et seq.), a limited liability company forming in South Carolina files Articles of Organization with the South Carolina Secretary of State (SC SOS).

    LLC Name: The LLC name must contain "limited liability company" "limited company" "L.L.C." "L.C.", "LLC" or "LC" "limited" may be "Ltd." and "company" may be "Co."

    No. of Members: The LLC may have 1 member.

    Execution and Filing: Signed by "organizer(s)". Originals must be submitted in duplicate to the SC SOS (may be one original and one copy).

    Filing Fee: $110.00 payable to "Secretary of State".

    If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first. This is where we will announce anything new!

    LLC Formation, Generally

    A limited liability company (LLC) is an entity created by state statute offering limited liability protection to its members (owners) similar to that enjoyed by stockholders of a corporation. LLC statutes exist in all 50 states.

    LeapLaw's LLC/LLP Checklist identifies the information needed for an LLC formation.

    A complete formation process generally consists of:

  • Determining name availability and possibly reserving the name

  • Performing trademark, trade name and domain name preliminary or full searches

  • Preparing the formation certificate for filing with the secretary of state

  • Drafting an operating agreement

  • Preparing an organizational consent of managers or members

  • Obtaining the federal tax identification number by preparing IRS Form SS-4

  • Preparing and filing applications of foreign registrations (if any)

  • Organizing the company records book

    For more information regarding the general formation process see LeapLaw's Limited Liability Company Best Practice Summary.


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  • Recommended Service Companies (South Carolina)
    The service companies listed below are members of NRAI’s Affiliate Network. These companies are high-quality service companies that deliver double the service for a fraction of the cost of the larger companies.

    So whether you’re looking to save significant money on Registered Agent services or double the service for half the price on corporate and UCC services, we strongly encourage you to contact:

    ParaNet Corporation Services, Inc.
    3761 Venture Drive
    Duluth, GA 30096
    Phone: 800.277.9977 / 770.497.9977
    Fax: 800.815.0477

    ------------------------------------------------

    Triad Professional Services, LLC
    Parkway Forest 100, Suite 150
    2050 Marconi Drive
    Alpharetta, GA 30005
    Phone: 877.805.6723
    Fax: 770.220.1943
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    UCC Filings (South Carolina)
    UCC Financing Statements are filed in South Carolina with the South Carolina Secretary of State SC SOS. Fixture filings will be filed at the county level where the mortgage is registered.

    UCC Forms


    UCC Filings, Generally

    Once a security interest has been granted in collateral in exchange for credit or some other funding, usually by entering a security agreement, the security interest should be “perfected” by filing evidence of such interest with the appropriate governmental authorities. Perfection of a security interest strengthens the legal rights of the creditor to the collateral in the event that the debt is not repaid in a timely fashion or some other default occurs.

    Revised Article 9 (RA-9) of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) provides that perfection is completed by filing financing statements (or UCC filings) with appropriate filing offices. Historically, UCC filings were made everywhere the debtor had tangible property or offices and/or was otherwise conducting business.

    In July 2001, Article 9 and state UCC laws in all 50 states were revised in an effort to simplify filing requirements. Revised Article 9 ("RA-9") was adopted by all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands with staggered effective dates, but most states adopted some form of RA-9 effective July 1, 2001. Under RA-9 only one filing is required, except as noted below. The appropriate place to file is generally the office of the secretary of state in the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of the debtor (or the domicile or principal place of business, if an individual or an unincorporated entity). Transition to Revised Article 9 was completed as of July 1, 2006.

    Fixture Filings: Under Revised Article 9, fixture filings affecting real estate are still filed in the office where a mortgage would be recorded. Other than creating the ability to file with a standard national form, RA-9 has had no effect on real estate related filings.

    Foreign Debtors

    A financing statement to be filed against a foreign debtor, without a principal place of business in the United States, is filed in Washington DC. If the foreign debtor maintains a principal office in the United States, the financing statement is filed in the state in which it is registered.


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