South Carolina Registered Agent
What is a South Carolina registered agent?
A South Carolina registered agent is a person or entity authorized to accept legal mail on behalf of a business. To accept service of process, the registered agent must be present at the physical address on file with the South Carolina Secretary of State. You can act as your own registered agent or appoint someone else to fulfill the duties for you.
The Purpose of South Carolina Registered Agents
The primary purpose of a South Carolina registered agent is to act as a legal point of contact for businesses they serve. That means if a lawsuit gets filed against a South Carolina business, the registered agent will receive the service of process. Once the legal documents are in the agent’s possession, they must pass them along to the business in question so appropriate action can be taken.
SC Registered Agent Requirements
In South Carolina, you need both a registered agent and a registered office. The registered agent can be either an individual or an entity. If they’re an individual, they must have a physical address that serves as their registered office.
If the registered agent is an entity, the entity must be authorized to do business in the state and have a physical business address that doubles as their registered office.
Your registered agent must also be available during regular business hours to receive service of process at the registered office. So it won’t work to appoint someone who’s only in the office one day a week, for instance.
Can I use myself as a registered agent?
Yes, you can use yourself as a registered agent if you live in South Carolina and are fine listing your address on your business’ formation paperwork. Keep in mind that the address will become part of the public record once you do this. You must also be able to stay at that address for most of the business day.
How Do I Find a Registered Agent in South Carolina?
First, figure out if you want to hire an individual or an entity to act as your registered agent.
If you’d rather use a person, take a look at your business associates. You can also look at friends and family members if you’re OK with them handling legal documents and knowing when your business is sued.
If you’d rather hire an entity to serve as your registered agent, take a look at registered agent services. These are businesses who serve multiple companies at the same time. Some registered agent services are very basic, while others provide more perks. We can help you launch your entire business identity in minutes, including registering a domain and getting your website online.
How to Appoint a Registered Agent in SC
You’ll use your formation paperwork to appoint a registered agent in South Carolina.
If you’re forming a South Carolina LLC, use the Articles of Organization to designate a registered agent and registered office. For a corporation, use your Articles of Incorporation. Note that on the LLC forms, South Carolina refers to a registered office as an “initial agent for service of process.”
For both forms, you must list the agent’s name and physical address, aka their registered office. The registered agent must provide their signature as well.
Formation paperwork may be filed online or by mail. If submitting by mail, you must include two completed copies of the paperwork.
How to Change an SC Registered Agent
To change registered agents, fill out a Notice of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent or Both. Corporations and LLCs have different Notice of Change forms, so make sure you select the right one from South Carolina’s business forms library. In both cases, the form costs $10 and can be submitted online or by mail.
If filing by mail, send to:
Secretary of State
Attn: Corporate Filings
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201
Why Should I Hire Registered Agents Inc?
When you hire Registered Agents Inc as your South Carolina registered agent, you get the perks of a local business plus the proven strength of a national operation.
Speedy document uploads
We never send your documents out for processing. Once we receive legal mail for your business, our South Carolina team scans it to your account.
Secure online account
You’ll get instant access to your online account when you hire us. This is where we’ll upload legal mail we receive for you. It’s also where you can add additional services if you want them.
Annual report filing
If your business has to file a South Carolina annual report, you won’t have to worry about it when you hire us as your registered agent. Our Registered Agent service includes annual report filing—you only pay the state fee.
Instant notifications
You don’t have to wonder if there’s a new document added to your account, because we’ll send you an email notice the minute it happens.
Local offices nationwide
Registered Agents Inc operates offices in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. That means if you want to expand your South Carolina business to Georgia, we’ve got your back.
Expert help
Our customer support team deals with Palmetto State business filings all day, every day. If you need help figuring out paperwork or have questions about your account, one of our pros is ready to assist you.
If you’ve got clients who need registered agent services, check out our Wholesale Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a registered agent cost in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, a registered agent service typically costs between $50 and $300 a year. Our premium registered agent service costs $200 a year.
Is a registered agent required in South Carolina?
Yes, state law requires South Carolina entities to appoint and maintain a registered agent. If you don’t, your formation paperwork will not be accepted by the Secretary of State’s office.
How much does it cost to start an LLC in South Carolina?
It costs $110 to form an LLC in South Carolina if you file by mail, or $125 if you file online. This fee is due when you submit your Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State’s office.
