A certificate of existence, often called a certificate of good standing, is a document that attests to a company’s registration and business authorization in a specific state. A certificate of existence is easy to obtain in South Carolina, albeit it can take some time to get the document.
In South Carolina, you must ask the Secretary of State’s office for a certificate of existence. This can be done in person, via mail, or online. While online requests can be processed in as little as three business days, mail-in requests for certificates may take up to seven to ten business days to be processed. If you have the required paperwork and payment, in-person requests are typically handled the same day.
– The name and address of the person or entity requesting the certificate
– The kind of business entity (LLC, corporation, etc.)
– The business entity ID number (if available)
– The justification for the request
– Payment of the necessary cost, which is presently $10.
Likewise, you can ask the Secretary of State’s office for a copy of your articles of incorporation if you require one. The procedure is the same as getting an existence certificate, and the same costs and turnaround periods are involved.
The approval procedure typically takes 7 to 10 business days if you are creating a new LLC in South Carolina. The Secretary of State’s office needs this much time to review your LLC formation paperwork and issue a certificate of organization. As soon as you get this certificate, your LLC is formally established and can start conducting business in South Carolina.
In South Carolina, must an LLC be renewed annually? Yes, it is the answer. All LLCs in South Carolina must submit an annual report and pay a $10 fee to remain in operation. By the anniversary of the founding of the LLC, the annual report is required. This is just another justification for maintaining accurate corporate entity information with the Secretary of State’s office.
In conclusion, while the procedure for acquiring a certificate of existence in South Carolina is simple, it may take some time. The same procedure and costs are involved whether you require a copy of your articles of incorporation or are creating a new LLC. In South Carolina, LLCs must also submit an annual report and pay a fee to remain in business. Maintaining your LLC’s good standing in the state depends on keeping your company entity information up to date.