What is a South Carolina certificate of authority?
Companies are required to register with the South Carolina Secretary of State before doing business in South Carolina. Businesses that are incorporated in another state will typically apply for a South Carolina certificate of authority. Doing so registers the business as a foreign entity and eliminates the need to incorporate a new entity.
Operating without a certificate of authority may result in penalties or fines. In addition to the state’s requirements, licensing agencies, banks, and vendors will often request a certificate of authority.
When do I need a certificate of authority?
The most common reasons for applying for a certificate of authority include:
- Opening an office or physical location within the foreign state
- Hiring an employee who resides within the state
- Before beginning a contract or a job in a new state
- A vendor or bank’s requirements
- Licensing authority requirements
How do I get a South Carolina certificate of authority?
To obtain your South Carolina Certificate of Authority, you will submit an Application for Certificate of Authority, along with required certificates or certified copies from your home state. You will need to appoint a registered agent in order for your filing to be approved. Be sure to follow the state’s instructions carefully, as they can reject a document for the smallest error.
For Foreign Corporations:
| Agency: | South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings |
| Form: | Application for a Certificate of Authority to Transact Business |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $110 + $25 initial report fee + $19 online filing fee if filed online |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 30 days. |
For Foreign Limited Liability Companies:
| Agency: | South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings |
| Form: | Application for a Certificate of Authority to Transact Business |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $110 + $15 online filing fee if filed online |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 30 days. |
For Foreign Nonprofit Corporations:
| Agency: | South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings |
| Form: | Application for a Certificate of Authority to Transact Business |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $10 + $5 online filing fee if filed online |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 30 days. |
For Foreign Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings |
| Form: | Application for a Certificate of Authority to Transact Business |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $110 + $25 initial report fee + $19 online filing fee if filed online |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 30 days. |
For Foreign Limited Partnerships:
| Agency: | South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $10 + $5 online filing fee if filed online |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 30 days. |
For Foreign Limited Liability Partnerships:
| Agency: | South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings |
| Form: | Application for a Certificate of Authority to Transact Business |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $100 + $15 online filing fee if filed online |
| Law: | |
| Certified Copy Requirement: | Certified copies not required. |
| Certificate of Good Standing Requirement: | Certificate of existence dated within 30 days. |
What do I need from my home state?
In order to obtain a South Carolina Certificate of Authority, you must also submit:
- Limited Liability Company: Certificate of existence dated within 30 days.
- Corporation: Certificate of existence dated within 30 days.
- Limited Partnership: Certificate of existence dated within 30 days.
- Limited Liability Partnership: Certificate of existence dated within 30 days.
- Nonprofit Corporation: Certificate of existence dated within 30 days.
- Professional Corporation: Certificate of existence dated within 30 days.
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent receives service of process and government notices on behalf of your business. When you prepare your South Carolina Certificate of Authority application, you must list a registered agent with a physical address within the state (P.O. Boxes are not allowed).
Many businesses do not have an individual or physical address in a new state. Listing our local registered agent address on your certificate of authority application meets the state’s requirements. Additionally, you get same day document scanning from our local office in all 50 states and DC. Our registered agent service is a flat rate of $99 per year, and you can easily add our service to any certificate of authority order.
What is the contact information for the state?
South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business FilingsPhysical Address:
Edgar Brown Building, 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201
Mailing Address:
SC Secretary of State's Office, 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 734-2158
Website: https://sos.sc.gov/online-filings/business-entities
Name Search: https://businessfilings.sc.gov/BusinessFiling/Entity/Search
Forms: https://businessfilings.sc.gov/businessfiling/Home/CategorizedForms
Online Filing: https://businessfilings.sc.gov/businessfiling/Home
