South Carolina Secretary of State – SC SOS Business Search

South Carolina Secretary of State Business Filings Division
Address: Secretary of State’s Office, 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201
Telephone: 1(803)734-2158
Website: www.sos.sc.gov
E-Mail: sos.sc.gov/contact

Lookup a Business Entity

Step 1 – Start

Search business entities (Corporations, LLC, Limited Partnership) in South Carolina by using the Secretary of State’s Website. Lookup by Name or Registered Agent. If you use the name option be sure to use all the matching terms you can think of as the database will return all related entries.

After making your selection you will be sent to the Results Page (As Seen Below).

Step 2 – Choose Your Entity

On the results page, you will be shown all the matching listings to your entry. All you have to do is find your entity and click on the light green text and you will be brought to the Information Page which will have all the details listed with the Secretary of State about the business.

Step 3 – Retrieve Information

You have reached the end of your search and now may be able to view all the information on file including the entity’s Domestic or Foreign Status, Status of Standing, State of Incorporation, Profit or Non-Profit, Registered Agent (Name and Address), Original Date of Formation, Dissolved Date (if exists), as well as corporation records history which allow you to view any previously filed document with the Secretary of State.

Step 4 – Steps to form your new Business in South Carolina

• Business name availability search (above)
• Internet domain availability search for website and email.
• Choose your entity type (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Partnership, or Non-Profit Org)
• Obtain IRS EIN Number (employer identification number).  Create New IRS EIN Number
• Create Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that include describing the business purpose of the entity, naming the registered agent, directors, registered address, operating guidelines, dissolution provisions, and other information.
• Determine if the new entity requires any federal, state, or local business licenses.
• Determine payroll tax requirements.
• Determine federal, state, and local tax filing requirements.
• Establish the business physical and/or mailing address, phone number, voicemail, website, email address, and business cards.