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Certificate of Existence for a Domestic Entity in South Carolina
A domestic LLC, corporation, or other statutory entity in South Carolina may request a Certificate of Existence, also known as a Certificate of Good Standing, issued by the state. The document provides evidence of the following:
- Entity name
- The entity was formed or incorporated under the laws of South Carolina
- Formation or incorporation date
- The entity has not been administratively dissolved
- The most recent annual report has been filed
- All fees, taxes, and penalties owed to the state have been paid
- The entity has not filed to terminate the entity with the state
Certificate of Authorization/Authority for a Foreign Entity in South Carolina
Out-of-state entities authorized to do business in South Carolina can request a state-issued Certificate of Authorization/Authority verifying the following:
- Entity name
- Alternate entity name registered for use in South Carolina (if applicable)
- State of organization (domestic state)
- Foreign qualification date
- State has not revoked the entity’s authority to transact business in the state
- The most recent annual report has been filed
- All fees, taxes, and penalties owed to the state have been paid
- The entity has not filed to withdraw from the state
Certificate of Existence or Certificate of Good Standing
$94 +state fees*
Quick online ordering. No hidden fees.
South Carolina Certificate of Good Standing (Existence) FAQs
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What is a Certificate of Good Standing (Existence) for an LLC or corporation in South Carolina (SC)?
A Certificate of Good Standing confirms 1) that a statutory entity (e.g. LLC, LP, corporation) exists, 2) that it has an active status according to state records, and 3) that it is in compliance with the state’s “good standing” requirements, such as filing an annual report and paying any required state fees.
In South Carolina, this document is called a Certificate of Existence (for domestic entities) and is issued by the Secretary of State’s office. (For out-of-state companies registered in South Carolina, this document may be referred to as a Certificate of Authority or Certificate of Authorization.) This document is also called a Certificate of Status in other states.
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Why is “good standing” important for your business?
An LLC or corporation registered in South Carolina requires a good standing status on the Secretary of State’s records in order to maintain the rights and privileges of doing business in the state. A company may need to request a good standing certificate when expanding to another state, or it may need to provide this document for financing, business transactions, and business licensing. If a company loses good standing, it can be fined, be unable to file a lawsuit, and be unable to do business in other states. Ultimately, loss of good standing can lead to the administrative dissolution of the business.
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Do I need a Certificate of Good Standing in South Carolina for my LLC or corporation?
A Certificate of Good Standing (Existence) is not a requirement when starting an LLC or corporation in South Carolina.
However, the business may need to obtain a good standing certificate for other reasons, such as for business licensing, financing, and business transactions, like a merger or acquisition.
Another frequent reason to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing (Existence) is when expanding to other states. For example, a South Carolina LLC wishing to operate in North Carolina would need to furnish a good standing certificate as part of the process for registering as a foreign LLC. (It would also need to obtain a North Carolina registered agent.)
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How do I obtain a Certificate of Good Standing (Existence) in South Carolina?You can order a South Carolina Certificate of Good Standing (Existence) online today from CT Corporation or contact us for additional information.
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*State fees are mandatory fees imposed by the state. Price includes online discount automatically applied at checkout. Discount is for new customers only.