South Carolina LLC Articles of Organization – How to Register?


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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If you are forming an LLC in SC, then this page’s content would be vital. As you learn how to start an LLC, you will realize that the bulk of your initial work and LLC cost comprises filing South Carolina articles of organization, which we will elaborate on this page.

What is an Article of Organization?

An Article of Organization, also known as an LLC certificate or Certificate of Formation in some states, is a document filed with the secretary of state to form an LLC.

Each state has a different requirement to fill out a form. An Article of Organization usually includes the following:

  • The name of the LLC,
  • the effective date of the LLC,
  • the company’s principal office,
  • the business purpose,
  • the duration of the business,
  • a copy of the LLC’s name registration certificate, and
  • the name and address of the registered agent, organizers, and
  • at least one member of the company.

You can file an Article of Organization online, by mail, or in person.

Note that the certification of formation is a legal requirement, not to mention, the core of your LLC formation. It even makes up the bulk of your South Carolina LLC cost. Without it, you have no LLC. So, take the time to complete and file this certificate.

How to File South Carolina Articles of Organization

These are the simple steps to follow in filing an Article of Organization in South Carolina.

Step 1: Find Forms Online

Go to the South Carolina Secretary of State to download the Articles of Organization form for your LLC or to log into the online service.

Step 2: Fill Out Form

When filling out the form, you must have reserved an LLC name. Do a name search. Go to South Carolina LLC Name Search to check whether your chosen business name is available to use in this state.

You must attach a copy of your Name Reservation to your filled-out Articles of Organization form when filing. You also need to nominate a registered agent. Here are 3 of the best LLC services on our list.

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Step 3: File Formation Certificates

File your formation certificate either online or by mail by filling out a form and sending it to the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office, Attn: Corporate Fillings, 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201.

Steps to Register Article of Organization Online

Time needed: 5 minutes

To operate your business LLC in the State of South Carolina, the basic requirement is to apply for the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State of South Carolina. When you file the application through an online option, your application also receives the advantage of immediate processing. The cost of registration is $110. The formation guide below will assist you in filing the Articles of Organization in South Carolina.

  1. Visit the official website of the Secretary of State of South Carolina

    Access the South Carolina Secretary of State official website. The website hosts an Online Business filing portal to provide a convenient platform offering different business-related services to the citizens.

  2. Create a Business Account

    On the following page, create your personal account on the portal to access the online services offered by the State. In case you already have a business account, proceed to log in by entering your username and password.

  3. Start your business filing

    Login to your business portal account. On the user landing page, select the option to “Start a New Business Filing”. Next, enter your desired business name and choose to “Add a new entity”. Now, from the dropdown menu, select the option of “Limited Liability Company” and then select “Articles of Organization”.

  4. Read the instructions

    After accessing the application form, go through the instructions attached to the form carefully and accordingly fill in all the required details. Do not leave any mandatory section empty. After completing the form, review all the information provided by you to be correct and accurate.

  5. Make the payment

    Once you finalize your application form, you must proceed to the payment gateway page and pay $110 as the online filing fee of your business registration application. You shall receive an acknowledgment receipt notification from the Secretary of State office after you successfully submit the application form

South Carolina Articles of Organization Filing By Mail

If you want to file your business registration application by mail, you can easily do so by submitting the hard copy of your application to the State office. Follow the instruction below to file your Business LLC Articles of Organization application:

  • Download the Application Form PDF on your system.
  • Read all the instructions attached to the form carefully and accordingly complete filling all the information.
  • You can also attach the name reservation certificate with the application.
  • Review all the information entered by you to be correct and accurate to your knowledge.
  • Issue a money order or check for $110 as the filing fee, payable to the Secretary of State.

Arrange all the documents together and mail to the following address, South Caroline Secretary of State’s Office, Attn: Corporate Filings, 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201

Cost of Filing Articles of Organization in South Carolina

The online filing option is considered as the more convenient method of application filing as compared to the offline filing. Irrespectively, the cost of registration is the same for both the methods of filing in the State of South Carolina. Here is the cost of filing formation articles in South Carolina,

  • Online Filing costs $110.00
  • By mail filing costs $110.00

Where Can You Find Your South Carolina LLC Articles of Organization

Starting a business can be an exhilarating and challenging endeavor. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or a first-time small business owner, taking the necessary legal steps is crucial. One such step is filing your LLC’s Articles of Organization. These documents serve as the foundation of your limited liability company in South Carolina. However, locating them can sometimes be a confusing task. In this editorial comment, we will explore the various ways you can find your South Carolina LLC Articles of Organization.

The first place you should start your search is with the South Carolina Secretary of State’s office. This government agency is responsible for maintaining public records relating to businesses operating within the state. The Secretary of State’s website is a treasure trove of information, and you can easily access your LLC’s Articles of Organization through their online database. By entering your company’s name or identification number, you can quickly retrieve and download these critical documents.

Another valuable resource to consider is the assistance of a registered agent. A registered agent acts as a point of contact between your business and the state, receiving legal and official notifications on your behalf. They are required by law to maintain copies of your LLC’s official documents, including the Articles of Organization. Contacting your registered agent and requesting a copy of these articles can save you time and effort when trying to locate them.

Additionally, you can tap into the expertise of an attorney or a professional business service provider. These professionals understand the complexities of filing legal documents on your behalf, and they have a knowledge base that allows them to navigate the procedural hurdles effortlessly. Consulting with a lawyer or utilizing the services of a reliable business service provider may be an investment worth considering, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process.

For those who prefer a hands-on approach, visiting the South Carolina Secretary of State’s physical office could be another option. Their office is conveniently situated, making it accessible and convenient for individuals wanting to retrieve a physical copy of their LLC’s Articles of Organization. Be sure to contact the office in advance to confirm their operating hours and any additional documentation you may need to provide.

Lastly, networking with other small business owners in South Carolina can prove advantageous. Engaging with experienced entrepreneurs who have gone through the process of filing their LLC’s Articles of Organization might grant you valuable insights and tips on where to find these essential documents. Online forums, social networking groups, or local business associations can be excellent sources for building such connections and gaining valuable guidance from individuals who have traveled the same path.

In conclusion, locating your South Carolina LLC Articles of Organization is a critical step in establishing your limited liability company. Whether by utilizing the resources provided by the Secretary of State’s office, seeking assistance from a registered agent or professionals, visiting the physical office, or connecting with other business owners, it is important to be proactive in your search. Take the time to explore these options, and you will be on your way to accessing the necessary documents to solidify your business’s legal foundation.

F.A.Qs

What is an Article of Organization?

An Article of Organization is a legal document that will officially make your LLC into existence. This document is needed specifically for South Carolina in forming an LLC business structure.

What information does an Article of Organization application need?

The application form for the Articles of Organization needs to include the LLC name, date of establishment, the company’s registered office, business purpose, how long the business will exist, and a copy of the LLC’s name registration certificate.

What is the recommended method of filing Articles of Organization, online or by mail?

Filing by mail or in person is neither highly recommended nor required; waiting an extra week for your LLC to be approved isn’t that bad. The LLC approval you send in will be returned by mail. Online filing, meanwhile, is more convenient as you won’t have to stay in a queue.

Where Can You Find Your South Carolina LLC Articles of Organization

But where exactly can you find your South Carolina LLC Articles of Organization? The answer is simple: they can be easily accessed and obtained online through the Secretary of State’s website. The state of South Carolina has made it convenient for business owners to access and view important documents related to their business entity online, saving time and hassle in the process.

By visiting the Secretary of State’s website, business owners can navigate to the business entity search section and search for their LLC by name or entity ID number. Once the desired LLC is found, business owners can click on the entity name and access all the relevant documents related to their LLC, including the Articles of Organization.

Having easy online access to your South Carolina LLC Articles of Organization is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, it allows business owners to review and verify the accuracy of the information that was submitted during the filing process. The Articles of Organization serve as a legal document that outlines important details about the LLC, so it’s essential to have access to this information for reference and compliance purposes.

Additionally, having online access to your LLC Articles of Organization makes it convenient to share these documents with various parties, such as lenders, investors, or potential business partners. By simply providing them with a link to the Secretary of State’s website, business owners can easily show proof of their LLC’s existence and key information, without having to deal with physical copies or delays.

Moreover, in today’s digital age, having online access to important business documents is standard practice and can streamline various administrative processes. Business owners can quickly pull up their LLC Articles of Organization when needed, instead of sifting through paper files or waiting on request forms to be processed.

Overall, the availability of South Carolina LLC Articles of Organization online underscores the state’s commitment to providing easy access to essential business documents for business owners. By utilizing the Secretary of State’s website, business owners can conveniently access and manage key information about their LLC, ensuring compliance and transparency in their business operations. So, if you’re a business owner in South Carolina, make sure to take advantage of the online resources available to you and stay informed about your LLC’s Articles of Organization.

In Conclusion

Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation is the most important document for your South Carolina LLC. Before you submit/file the document make sure to provide proper and correct information about your company. If you have any questions, share that below in the comment section.

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