South Carolina LLC Foreign Qualification

South Carolina LLC Foreign Qualification Information

What is South Carolina LLC Foreign Qualification?

A corporation or limited liability company (LLC) is considered a “domestic” entity in its state of incorporation or formation. If the company wishes to transact business in any other state(s), it must qualify or register “to do business” as a foreign corporation or LLC. In these states, the corporation or LLC must register with the Secretary of State in order to transact or “do business” in this state. In each state other than the state of incorporation or formation, the entity is considered a “foreign” corporation or LLC.

Corporate Filing Solutions offers online Foreign Qualification services in all 50 Unites States plus Washington D.C. Our services are fast, reliable, and affordable!

When Must an Entity Foreign Qualify?

There are many factors to consider in determining if qualification or registration is required or advisable. If your company’s contacts with a state are substantial or continuous or include one of the factors listed below, then registration or qualification likely is required:

  • Having employees in the state
  • Having a real estate lease and office in the state
  • Having a bank account in the state
  • Having an automobile registered in the state
  • Bidding on or performing certain government contracts
  • Being an absentee landlord
  • Bringing a lawsuit in a state against another party
  • Being a party to construction contracts
  • Operating a telecommunications business

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    South Carolina (SC) Foreign Qualification Requirements

    An entity can foreign qualify or register in the State of South Carolina when the proper filing with the Secretary of State’s office of South Carolina is made, which requires the following information:

  • Name of the entity
  • State and date of formation
  • Certificate of Authority (a document granting the ability to do business in the domestic state)
  • Registered Agent Name and Address
  • Principal office address
  • Mailing address
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    Additional Requirements for Corporations

  • The name and usual business address of the corporation’s directors (if the corporation has no directors, then the name and address of the persons who are exercising the statutory authority of the directors on behalf of the corporation) and principal officers
  • The aggregate number of shares which the corporation has authority to issue, itemized by classes and series
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    Additional Requirements for LLCs

  • Name and address of each manager
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    A Certificate of Good Standing from the Company’s home state (the state in which your company is considered ‘domestic’) is also required. If you choose Corporate Filing Solutions to help you foreign qualify your entity, we can obtain this certificate on your behalf.

    Foreign Qualification Fees:

    The Secretary of State of South Carolina charges a state filing fee of $110.00 for an LLC when you submit your application for foreign qualification. Online filings incur an extra $15 fee. If you choose Corporate Filing Solutions to help you prepare and make your filing, it will cost an additional fee of $125.00.

    Registered Agent Services:

    The South Carolina Secretary of State requires all entities operating within South Carolina to have a designated registered agent at all times. The registered agent may be any individual or business with a physical South Carolina mailing address where the designated individual or business is physically present at this address.

    Corporate Filing Solutions provides affordable professional Registered Agent services in South Carolina as well as the other 49 United States and Washington D.C. Our Registered Agent services cost $125.00 per year.