Run by the Secretary of State. It covers corporations, LLCs, and nonprofits doing business in South Carolina.
South Carolina Secretary of State | Business Entity Search
The South Carolina Secretary of State offers a free business entity search where you can look a company up by name, registered agent, or business ID, view its filings, and purchase certified copies.
Business Name Availability Check
State of South Carolina
What the South Carolina Business Search Covers
Each record lists the entity type, status, formation date, registered agent, principal office, and filing history.
Searching is free; certified copies of documents carry a fee.
How to Search by Business Name
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Open the South Carolina business search
Go to the Secretary of State's business entity search, or use the direct link below. It is free to search.
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Choose how to search
Search by business name (for availability or details), registered agent, or business ID / file number for the most precise result.
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Read the results
Results show the entity type, status (active, dissolved, or forfeited), and formation date. Click an entity to open its record.
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Review the entity record
The record shows the entity status, registered agent, principal office address, and filing history.
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View or purchase documents
View filed documents — Articles of Incorporation, annual reports, amendments — and purchase certified copies.
Ready to try it? Open the official business entity search and run your query.
Search South Carolina businesses ↗All the Ways to Search South Carolina Records
Business Name
Check availability or review an existing business by name. The most common starting point.
Open this search ↗Registered Agent
Find all the businesses represented by a particular registered agent.
Open this search ↗Business ID / File Number
The most precise way to find a specific entity.
Open this search ↗Documents
View filed documents and purchase certified copies and certificates.
Open this search ↗Rules That Make Your Search Work
- Search by business name, registered agent, or business ID / file number.
- Status values include active, dissolved, and forfeited.
- You can view filed documents and purchase certified copies.
- Searching is free; certified copies carry a fee.
- The South Carolina ID is the business ID or file number.
- South Carolina LLCs file no annual report; corporations file an annual report with the Department of Revenue.
Reading the Entity Detail Page
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Business ID / File Number | The identification number the Secretary of State assigned to the entity. |
| Entity Name | The registered legal name of the business. |
| Entity Type | The structure, such as a Domestic or Foreign LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit. |
| Status | Whether the entity is Active, Dissolved, or Forfeited. |
| Formation Date | The date the entity was formed in South Carolina or registered as a foreign entity. |
| Registered Agent | The name and South Carolina address of the agent designated to receive legal documents. |
| Principal Office Address | The entity's primary office address. |
| Filing History | Articles of Incorporation, amendments, and (for corporations) annual reports. |
Two official references help you go further:
How to View and Download a Company's Filings
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Open the entity’s record
Search by name, agent, or business ID and open the record.
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Open the filing history
Review the entity’s filings, including Articles of Incorporation and amendments.
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View the documents
Open filed documents directly from the record. Searching and viewing are free.
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Purchase certified copies
Purchase certified copies or certificates from the Secretary of State when you need them.
Annual report: South Carolina LLCs file no annual report. Corporations file an annual report with the Department of Revenue as part of their tax filing — not with the Secretary of State.
South Carolina Business Search - Common Questions
Is the South Carolina business search free?
Yes. Searching is free; you pay only to purchase certified copies of documents.
What can I search by?
By business name, registered agent, or business ID / file number. The business ID is the most precise.
Does South Carolina require an annual report?
South Carolina LLCs do not file an annual report. Corporations file an annual report with the Department of Revenue as part of their corporate tax filing, not with the Secretary of State.
What do "dissolved" and "forfeited" mean?
They are status values indicating the entity is no longer active — for example, administratively dissolved or forfeited for non-compliance.
How do I get a certified copy?
View the entity's documents in the search and purchase certified copies and certificates through the Secretary of State.
A name is available in South Carolina. Does that mean I can use it?
Not necessarily. State availability does not clear a name against federal trademarks. Run a USPTO trademark screen and check domain and social-handle availability before committing.