Address of state corporation department:
South Carolina Secretary of State
Corporations Department
PO Box 11350
Columbia SC 29211
Telephone: 803-734-2158
State web address: http://www.sc.gov
State law reference: Code of Laws of South Carolina, Title 33, Chapters 1 through 20.
Title of filing: Articles of Incorporation.
Filing Fees: Total of $135 minimum. This consists of a $100 incorporation tax (Section 33-1-220(d)(1)), a $10
filing fee (Section 33-1-220(a)(1)), and a license fee of at least $25 ($15 plus $1 for each $1,000 worth of capital
stock (Section 33-1-220(d)(1), Section 12-20-50).
Other fees: None.
Name reservation: Reservable for 120 days for $10 fee. (Section 33-4-102).
Name requirements: Corporation, Incorporated, Company, Limited, or abbreviation. (Section 33-4-101).
Incorporator requirements: One or more persons or entities. (Section 33-2-201, 33-1-400(20)).
Corporate purpose requirements: General “all purpose” clause (see instructions). (Section 33-3-101).
Director requirements: One or more (may be nonresidents). (Section 33-8-102, 33-8-103). Requirement of a
Board of Directors may be dispensed with by a shareholders’ agreement. (Section 33-8-101).
Paid-in capital requirements: None.
Annual report requirement: Yes, to Secretary of State. (Section 33-16-220).
Publication requirements: None.
Other provisions: Registered agent must sign the Articles of Incorporation, consenting to the appointment. An
attorney licensed to practice in South Carolina must sign the Articles of Incorporation, certifying that the corporation
has complied with applicable law. (Section 33-2-102(a)(6)). An Initial Annual Report and minimum license
fee must be filed with Articles of Incorporation. (Section 12-20-40). Articles of Incorporation are effective upon
filing, or the effective date may be delayed up to 90 days to a date stated in the Articles. (Section 33-1-230). The
Initial Report must include: (1) the month the corporation closes its books, (2) the nature of the corporation’s
principal business, (3) the total number of authorized shares, and other information. The report may be made on
a form provided by the state, which includes instructions.
We have the form for that
