South Carolina LLC Registration

How to form an LLC in South Carolina:

You form South Carolina LLCs by filing articles of organization with the SC SOS.

What is required to file South Carolina LLC Articles of Organization?

To form a South Carolina LLC, you file South Carolina LLC articles of organization. The South Carolina articles of organization cost $110 to the South Carolina Secretary of State. These LLC articles can be basic or complicated. We custom draft your South Carolina LLC articles of organization when you hire Northwest to do your South Carolina LLC registration, but if you'd like to save some money, you could just hire us as your SC registered agent, and then we supply you all the correct forms to file and filing instructions in your online account immediately. The basic requirements are:

• The business name must have a limited liability company ending or variation of it.
• New South Carolina LLCs name must be different than already registered South Carolina companies.
• Duration of the South Carolina LLC is perpetual unless you check the box to choose a specific duration.
• The South Carolina registered agent and the physical address.
• The South Carolina designated (principal) office address.
• The name, address, and signature of the organizer(s).
• If the limited liability company is to be managed by one or more managers, you must check a box and list the name and address of each manager.
• The articles of organization are effective when filed, unless you specify a date.

South Carolina requires original ink signatures on filings. The registered South Carolina LLC paperwork will be returned to the address on the envelope.

What's the actual process to start a South Carolina LLC?

1. South Carolina LLC registration is started when you file the articles of organization for a South Carolina LLC with the Secretary of State.
2. You obtain a federal tax ID number with the IRS after you have confirmation from South Carolina that the LLC is completely filed.
3. You should be able to open a LLC banking account with these two items.
4. You register your South Carolina LLC with the department of revenue or labor if you're going to have employees or need to withhold sales tax. 
5. You obtain a trade license, if you actually need one. (Most businesses don't.)
6. You obtain a local city or county general license, if you need one.
7. You obtain a local trade license, if the city or county you're going to be working in requires it.
8. If you're going to have an office or shop, you might need an approval from the city zoning for your type of business in that location. 

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? You can save some money:

If you want to form a South Carolina limited liability company yourself, you can just hire us as your South Carolina registered agent, and you'll instantly have the South Carolina LLC forms to file and filing instructions on the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to file a South Carolina LLCs. You'll get the ongoing support of our online tools, compliance reminders and the support of a professional South Carolina LLC agent service.