South Carolina Articles of Incorporation
Order your South Carolina incorporation online. It's easy, inexpensive, and guides you through the decisions to set up your corporation the way you want.
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Affordable investment starting at $99 to set up your limited liability protection.
What Are South Carolina Articles of Incorporation?
Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your business corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the corporation. Only after this approval can the corporation apply for tax IDs, obtain business licenses, sign contracts, and otherwise conduct business.
Incorporating provides many important benefits:
- Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
- Fulfills statutory requirements to register your business name
- Provides governance and adds credibility
Fast Facts
For Domestic Corporations:
| Agency: | South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $135 |
| Turnaround: | ~7-10 business days by mail. ~1-2 business days online. |
| Law: | |
| Notes: |
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For Domestic Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $110 |
For Domestic Close Corporations:
| Agency: | South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $135 |
For Domestic Close Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings |
| Form: | Articles of Incorporation Professional - Statutory Close Corporation |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $135 |
Other Helpful South Carolina Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to South Carolina.
South Carolina Directors
- Number: One or more required.
- Qualifications: None.
- Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws or articles of incorporations fix a different number. No less than one third.
South Carolina Officers
- As stated in the bylaws, but a minimum of one. One person may hold multiple offices. One officer is required to be responsible for maintaining corporate records.
South Carolina Bylaws
- Required: Yes.
South Carolina Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes, unless all action taken by unanimous consent.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.
South Carolina Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Not required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
Helpful Tools
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Limiting Your Liability
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