Key Takeaways

  • The SC Secretary of State Business Search lets users look up registered entities, check name availability, and verify business registration details in South Carolina.
  • You can search by business name, registered agent, or entity ID to confirm the status, type, and date of formation.
  • The search tool also provides access to historical filings, registered agent information, and current standing with the Secretary of State.
  • Businesses can reserve names for up to 120 days and must comply with South Carolina’s naming rules before registration.
  • Knowing how to interpret the search results helps ensure your business name is unique and legally compliant before filing formation documents.

State of South Carolina Business Name Registration

A South Carolina Secretary of State Business Search helps ensure that you select a unique name for your business. The business name you choose is how customers will come to know you and your reputation. As such, it's so much more than the name you use when filing paperwork and tax returns, so you need to give it plenty of thought.

In South Carolina, the Secretary of State is charged with registering business names, and business owners must choose distinct names unlike any currently listed in the state. The South Carolina Secretary of State's Business Corporate Division is responsible for ensuring each corporation or business registered in South Carolina is distinct. The Secretary of State has made it easier to search the registry by making its database available online. Anyone can search for a business name or registration ID to bring up details of that business.

Information contained in the registry is updated with any commercial activity happening in South Carolina. All types of businesses are listed in the database, including:

  • Corporations
  • Limited liability companies (LLCs)
  • Limited partnerships

The time it takes to process your registration is typically two business days from when the application was received. In certain circumstances, however, the Secretary of State's office may be flooded with applications, and the processing time can take longer.

Search Your Business Name

Check on your business name's availability by navigating to the South Carolina Secretary of State website and clicking on “Search Business Filings.” You must choose a business name that is grammatically different from other business names registered in the state. For example, if “Happy Daisy Landscaping” is already registered in Charleston, you cannot conduct business under “Happy Daisy Landscaping” in Greenville. You can, however, choose the name “Cheerful Flower Landscaping,” because it is distinct.

Reserve Your Business Name

In some cases, you may not be ready to launch your business. Instead, you can reserve your preferred business name by filing the appropriate application. For instance, you can fill out the Application to Reserve a Limited Liability Company Name if you intend to start a LLC. For limited partnerships, complete the Application to Reserve a Name for Limited Partnership, and so on. These types of name reservations are valid for 120 days, after which point they expire.

If you're ready to organize your business, you don't need to reserve a business name first. Simply go forward by incorporating the business or applying for an LLC.

Renewing and Maintaining Name Reservations

In South Carolina, business name reservations last for 120 days. If you need additional time to prepare formation documents, you may file a new reservation after the initial one expires. The renewal process requires submitting a new application and paying the same filing fee. Name reservations cannot be transferred or assigned to another entity during this period.

Entrepreneurs who fail to complete registration within the reservation timeframe risk losing their preferred name to another applicant. Therefore, it’s best to finalize your formation documents as soon as possible after completing your SC Secretary of State business search.

Register Your Business Name

Registering your business name requires you to complete the proper formation documents. You need to have the right form for your business entity type, so if you are starting a limited liability company, you should fill out the LLC application. You can obtain these forms online at the South Carolina Secretary of State website.

These applications are legal documents that establish your business, so you may want to hire a lawyer or an online legal document service to go over the forms with you. Be sure to include the required filing fee and a self-addressed envelope with a stamp.

Common Issues Found During an SC Secretary of State Business Search

When using the SC Secretary of State business search, some users encounter the following issues:

  • Similar or Conflicting Names: Minor variations, such as punctuation or plural forms, don’t make a name distinct.
  • Inactive or Forfeited Entities: Even dissolved businesses may restrict name reuse if they haven’t been inactive for a sufficient time.
  • Outdated Records: While the database is frequently updated, recent filings might take a few days to appear.
  • Incorrect Search Parameters: Using too many keywords or special characters can yield incomplete results.

To ensure accuracy, search using partial names and review multiple results to verify that your chosen name is truly available for registration.

South Carolina Business Entity Search

Aspiring entrepreneurs who are playing around with business name ideas should consult the Secretary of State's database to see the names of businesses already registered. You can also use the database to search business information for entities that no longer exist.

Understanding the SC Secretary of State Business Search Tool

The SC Secretary of State Business Search allows anyone to review detailed information about registered business entities in South Carolina. Through the official Secretary of State website, users can access data for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other registered organizations. This tool helps entrepreneurs confirm that their proposed business name is available and that an entity is in good standing before forming a new business.

Search filters include:

  • Business Name: Ideal for checking the availability of a name or reviewing details of an existing business.
  • Registered Agent: Useful for finding all businesses represented by a particular agent.
  • Business ID or File Number: The most precise method for finding a specific entity.

Each search result displays important details such as entity type, status (e.g., active, dissolved, forfeited), date of formation, and filing history. You can also view documents filed with the state, including Articles of Incorporation, Annual Reports, and amendments.

Name Availability Searching

These steps will help you better navigate the South Carolina business search.

  • Navigate to the Secretary of State website at www.sos.sc.gov
  • Enter the business name in the search box and click “Search”
  • View the results and click on any business names you wish to review
  • Read the resulting business information

How to Interpret South Carolina Business Search Results

After conducting an SC Secretary of State business search, the results will show a list of entities matching your search criteria. Each result includes:

  • Entity Name and Type: Identifies the official business name and whether it’s an LLC, corporation, or partnership.
  • Status: Indicates if the business is currently active, dissolved, or revoked.
  • Registered Agent Name: Lists the person or business authorized to receive legal documents.
  • Date of Incorporation or Formation: Helps confirm the entity’s age and history.
  • Principal Office Address: Provides the physical or mailing address for the business.

By selecting a specific business name from the search results, you can open a detailed record showing all documents filed with the Secretary of State. This transparency helps entrepreneurs avoid naming conflicts and ensures compliance before filing new business formation paperwork.

LLC Name Requirements in South Carolina

There are some things you should know about searching for your preferred LLC name in the state of South Carolina. For starters, all LLCs in South Carolina must include “LLC” in some form. The abbreviation “L.L.C.” is acceptable. An LLC cannot have any words related to corporations in the name, including “incorporated” or the abbreviations “inc.” or “corp.” These will be denied.

The name for your LLC must be distinct and unlike any other in the database. Simply adding “a,” “an,” “or,” “&,” hyphens, commas, slashes, periods, or numbers, does not count toward distinctiveness.

When using the database to search business names for your LLC, choose the “begins with” option and enter the name you wish to search. Perform multiple searches where you remove the “LLC” and any punctuation marks to make sure you cover all your bases.

Steps to Form a Business After Your SC Name Search

Once you confirm your desired name is available through the SC Secretary of State business search, you can proceed with business formation:

  1. Choose an Entity Type: Decide whether to form an LLC, corporation, or partnership.
  2. File Formation Documents: Submit your Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (corporation) through the South Carolina Secretary of State online filing portal.
  3. Designate a Registered Agent: Every business must have a registered agent with a physical South Carolina address.
  4. Pay the Required Filing Fee: Fees vary depending on entity type.
  5. Comply with Ongoing Requirements: Businesses must file annual reports (if applicable), maintain a registered agent, and stay current on taxes and licenses.

If you are unsure about filing correctly, you can consult a business attorney or use UpCounsel’s marketplace to connect with experienced legal professionals familiar with South Carolina business law.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What information can I find using the SC Secretary of State Business Search?
    You can find details like business name, entity type, registration date, status, registered agent, and filing history.
  2. How often is the South Carolina business database updated?
    The database is updated regularly, but it may take one to two business days for new filings to appear.
  3. Can I use a name that’s similar to another business?
    No. South Carolina requires all business names to be distinguishable from existing entities, even if the difference is minor.
  4. How long does a name reservation last in South Carolina?
    Name reservations are valid for 120 days and must be renewed if you don’t register your business within that time.
  5. Do I need an attorney to register my business in South Carolina?
    While not required, consulting an attorney through UpCounsel can help ensure your filings comply with South Carolina law and prevent costly mistakes.

If you need help with a SC secretary of state business search, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.