South Carolina LLC Articles of Organization – How to Register?


Save time & be confident while starting your company. Use best professional help -
#1 TOP PICK
 LegalZoom - ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup
south_carolina_state_seal

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.

LLC Service

Our Rating & Pricing

Top Features

Learn More

#1 TOP PICK

$0 + State Fees

  • 100% accuracy guarantee

  • Worry-free service

  • Great customer support

$49 + State Fees

  • Hassle-freeLLC formation

  • Guide to all steps

  • Worry-free LLC filing

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

Articles of Organization for South Carolina LLC can be accessed through the South Carolina Secretary of State website. You can also download the PDF from the same website.

Starting a business is one of the most exciting aspects of entrepreneurship. However, it requires more than just an idea. From the conception of the idea to the execution process, there are legal considerations that one has to take into account. In South Carolina, one such step involves availing articles of organization for your Limited Liability Company, LLC. This article looks at where one can find their South Carolina LLC articles of organization.

For a business that seeks an LLC model during their registration, the articles of organization is a crucial document. It is the paperwork that states how the intended LLC is to be managed and operated. The creation and submission of this legal document might seem daunting, and many businesses new to the registry process may not know where to find theirs after submission.

A submitted LLC Articles of Organization, once it has been processed and approved, is lodged with the South Carolina Secretary of State (SCSOS). For those in other American states, it is important to note that the processing structure may vary, and one can liaise with the state department involved directly for guidance.

Electronic Filing System in South Carolina

A significant factor to note is the advancement in technology and the utilization of modern methods of conducting businesses. In South Carolina, businesses can find their articles of organization using the Electronic Filing System (EFS). This platform handles filing procedures and logistics by uploading and visiting critical business documents needed to start a business. EFS ensures that the SCSOS has your documents and application in their systems.

South Carolina Midland County

For South Carolina Midland County businesses, the physical address to visit for inquiry and document pick up is the Office of County Administrator. One can enquire about their articles about Midland County by calling the number provided or chose to visit the certificate of incorporation paper. Once the article is processed, it is stored with the office of the Midland County recorder and auditor and accessible there.

Department of Consumer Affairs

South Carolina found, under the Department of Consumer Affairs, can also make inquiries regarding their articles of organization. One can start by leaving some personal and business details, such as the business name and card identification number. It is also worth noting that this body handles most business complaints in the United States.

County Clerk’s Office

In some states, LLCs paperwork is certified directly by the methods on how the paperwork is arranged can differ from these states. For South Carolina, the place to finger check for one’s articles is the County Clerk’s Office. During submission, a copy is left with the Clerk’s office, and one can visit to make inquiries. Most Clerk’s offices might require you to provide your ID, making it convenient for only the intended owner of the business to access their articles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if anyone intends to run a business in South Carolina and decide to file for LLC, obtaining the articles of organization might seem tricky but is quite simple. To get started, one has to submit the necessary paperwork at the mentioned department, then wait for confirmation. The SCSOS or appropriate department lodging could keep a copy of the articles for safekeeping. After submission, you can obtain them physically or digitally, either through email communication or utilizing some online platforms.

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.

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.


About Author & Editorial Staff

Steve Goldstein, founder of LLCBuddy, is a specialist in corporate formations, dedicated to guiding entrepreneurs and small business owners through the LLC process. LLCBuddy provides a wealth of streamlined resources such as guides, articles, and FAQs, making LLC establishment seamless. The diligent editorial staff makes sure content is accurate, up-to-date information on topics like state-specific requirements, registered agents, and compliance. Steve's enthusiasm for entrepreneurship makes LLCBuddy an essential and trustworthy resource for launching and running an LLC.

Leave a Comment