Top South Carolina Registered Agents – Comprehensive Guide (March 2024)


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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South Carolina Registered Agent: If you wish to start an LLC in SC, you have to appoint a registered agent. According to South Carolina State Law, it is mandatory to have a South Carolina Registered Agent if you are conducting business in the state. A registered agent receives all the official and legal documents from the State. They also receive the service of process if there’s any lawsuit in concern.

In the following guide, we have shared all the required information regarding hiring a registered agent, why you need a registered agent in South Carolina, and who can be a registered agent for your LLC. Read this guide carefully before you hire a South Carolina Registered Agent.

What is a South Carolina Registered Agent

A registered agent (or a statutory agent or a resident agent) in South Carolina is an individual or a business that represents your business in receiving official documents. These official papers include formation documents, business renewal documents, tax filing, and any legal document if the LLC gets sued by other companies. All these documents go straight to the registered agent’s official address in the state. While forming an LLC, it is mandatory to appoint a registered agent.

When you file the South Carolina LLC formation papers with the Secretary of State, LLCs have to mention their registered agent’s name and address. When you choose a registered agent in South Carolina, you can go for two options, hiring an in-house registered agent or outsourcing the service.

Hiring a Registered Agent in South Carolina

You may have several options for hiring a registered agent in South Carolina. To become a registered agent, one has to meet the basic eligibility criteria. If the minimum requirements are fulfilled, anyone residing in South Carolina can represent your LLC as your registered agent.

registered agent service

Who Can Be a Registered Agent

  • The person must be above 18 years old.
  • The person must have a legal and physical address in the state where the LLC will operate.
  • The person must be physically present during normal working hours.
  • Anyone who fulfills the above requirements can act as a registered agent.
  • Recommended – You should use a professional registered agent in South Carolina always.

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent

Yes, you can be your own registered agent. In fact, any member of the LLC, managers, and the owner can be a registered agent. Besides, someone from the owners’ family, such as a spouse, relatives, or other family members, can also act as a registered agent. As mentioned above, anyone who is representing the business as an agent should fulfill the basic criteria.

Why You Shouldn’t Be Your Own Registered Agent

Many small businesses do not hire a registered agent to save a chunk of money. However, it is not recommended to be your own registered agent. There are a bunch of problems one has to face while being a registered agent of his own LLC. Following are some of the issues you face,

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  • If you are operating your business from home or you are into web business, then your home address will be shared on the public portal. This address will be used for mailing and other official purposes. This will hamper your privacy.
  • A registered agent has to be physically available at the official address during working hours on working days for 52 weeks. Being your own registered agent might restrict your other work due to this.
  • The registered agent’s address must be up to date in the Secretary of State portal.

It is recommended to outsource the registered agent service to ease your work. As it protects your privacy, especially if you conduct your business from home. It is always wise to outsource the RA service than be your own registered agent.

Recommended: You can get the best registered agent service at a reasonable price with online LLC service providers. We recommend using –

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How to Choose a Registered Agent in South Carolina

You can choose a South Carolina Registered Agent in two ways, either you can employ an in-house RA or outsource the service. Another option is to be your own registered agent. However, it is recommended to outsource the service as it is less worrisome and hassle-free.

In-house Registered Agent

As far as the in-house registered agent is concerned, it can be anyone from the LLC, including you or you can employ an individual for this position. In that case, your office or home address will be the Registered Agent’s office address. Every LLC has to share its principal office address, mailing address, and registered agent’s office address to the state public portal. Hiring a registered agent service will make it easier as you can use the RA’s address as a mailing address.

Outsourcing Registered Agent Service

You may also avail yourself of professional registered agent services. Doing so ensures that you will have the best service provider to represent your business. Following are the best Registered Agent services on our list that will provide you with registered agents to ease your worries.

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$125 Per Year

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Note that availing of the services of professional registered agents would be your best option since you are guaranteed that whoever is handling your legal affairs knows their stuff well. If you are forming your LLC from scratch, then with LegalZoom Registered Agent, you will get the full formation package.

What to Consider While Choosing a South Carolina Registered Agent

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a registered agent.

  • Service Fee: Since most states require formal businesses to have registered agents, selecting the best-registered agent is critical. Hiring a registered agent typically costs between $99 and $300 annually. When you consider how much time it will save you, this is a small price to pay.
  • Tenure in Business of Registered Agent: You want the registered agent to have established and time-tested procedures for handling documents. We recommend Registered Agent Services that have been in business for a long time. They are experienced and well capable of handling all your documentation.
  • State Jurisdiction Limitation: If your company expands to another state, you should use the same registered agent in all states to reduce the administrative burden of dealing with multiple registered agent service providers. Check out the best Registered Agent Services to consider for this job.
  • Offer Monitoring and Follow-up Services: You want to receive up-to-date information and alerts from your registered agent as soon as possible so that you are aware of the various statutes, rules, and regulations that apply to your company. Some of the service providers offer this service. Make sure to choose an RA service that includes this service.

How to Appoint a Registered Agent in South Carolina

At the time of submitting the South Carolina Articles of Organization, the registered agent can be appointed by the LLC. It can be done online or by mail. No additional fee is charged for appointing a Registered Agent. Only the state filing fee should be paid.

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Appoint Registered Agent Online

To appoint a registered agent online, you have to go to the South Carolina LLC Online Filing page and provide the information of your Registered Agent accordingly.

Appoint Registered Agent By Mail

To appoint a registered agent in South Carolina by mail, you need to download the South Carolina LLC filing form (PDF). Fill up the “Registered Agent” section with appropriate details of the agent and submit it to the SOS office. For more information, read on South Carolina Articles of Organization.

Cost of a South Carolina Registered Agent

The cost of having a registered agent can be variable. It depends on whether you are employing an in-house registered agent, being your own agent, or outsourcing the service. The cost of having a registered agent can start from $99 and go up to $300 per year. It will be cost-effective if you outsource the registered agent service in South Carolina.

Registered Agent services that also provide LLC formation packages can provide the same service at a lower price. For example, LegalZoom Registered Agent offers standalone registered agent service at $299 per year, but if you buy their LLC formation package at $0 + state fees, you might get a registered agent service at a low cost.

How to Change a Registered Agent in South Carolina

To change the South Carolina registered agent, you must file a Change of registered agent or office by entity form. This form can be submitted to the South Carolina Secretary of State via mail or online.

File Online

For online filing, you need to get the online form, which is available on the South Carolina Secretary of State portal. Fill in all the necessary information of LLC as well as current and old registered agents. This form must be completed and signed by the newly appointed registered agent and any authorized member of the LLC. The signature of the new registered agent acts like the consent to be appointed as one. Submit it online.

Fee: $10

File By Mail or In-person

You can also choose to file the form through the mail. You need to download the Change of registered agent or office by entity form from the South Carolina Secretary of State’s portal. Fill in all the details on your computer. The completed form is to be signed by the newly appointed registered agent. The duly signed form must be sent to the following address,

Mail to: Secretary of State
Attn: Corporate Filings
1205 Pendleton St., Ste. 525
Columbia, SC 29201

How to Pay: The filing amount is payable to the South Carolina secretary of state through a credit card when filing online/by email. For paper filing, you can choose to pay through money order or check.

Why Do LLCs in South Carolina Need a Registered Agent Service

There are several reasons why a business should appoint a registered agent in South Carolina. Some of the most important reasons are listed below,

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  • Confidentiality: Having a registered agent service in South Carolina ensures the complete privacy of your business and related documentation. Appointing a registered agent company instead of an individual gets you privacy and confidentiality contracts beforehand.
  • Up-to-date Compliance: LLCs and corporates have plenty of paperwork and compliances that are to be updated on time. With a registered agent service, you don’t have to worry about those compliances as your registered agent will maintain a compliance calendar.
  • Privacy: It is mandatory for businesses in South Carolina to publicly upload their address to the South Carolina Secretary of State. If you are using the home address for your business, then it would not be safe to make your private address public. On the other side, appointing a registered agent service will cover you up here as they have to provide their address to the South Carolina SOS and not yours.
  • Availability: Every registered agent has to be available during office hours of work on business days. If you hire a registered agent service, then they can be available at the required time without harming other tasks at the company.
  • Online Safe Backup: Every registered agent in South Carolina or any other state usually takes online backup of all the documents and paperwork. This ensures the LLC papers are securely saved in a central system.
  • Lawsuits or Summons: Getting summoned or involved in a lawsuit does not leave a good impression on the employees. With a registered agent, all the related papers will be delivered to the Registered Agent’s official address. Hence, owners do not have to receive any such papers in their office in front of their employees.

South Carolina Business Laws for Registered Agents to Note

An LLC’s core member is the registered agent or statutory agent. When incorporating an LLC, it is critical that business owners use the right agent; otherwise, the secretary of state may fine them. Of course, while choosing an agent, they must adhere to state requirements.

South Carolina registered agents’ responsibility is to be there when the government sends legal and tax documents, as well as when lawsuits are filed. Only a state resident would be aware of the rules and be able to provide services within the state. The following are some of South Carolina’s business laws:

South Carolina Antitrust Laws

Antitrust laws make it illegal for firms to inflate or set prices artificially. This is designed to safegu0ard consumers against the negative impacts of monopolies and a lack of economic competition. Antitrust laws exist in South Carolina to protect residents from individuals or businesses who conspire with others to limit competition or artificially create monopolies in order to enrich themselves.

South Carolina Civil Statute of Limitations Laws

A legal regulation called the “statute of limitations” determines when a case can be launched. If a person tries to sue after the statute of limitations has expired, the claim is barred, and the defendant is automatically declared the winner. For each sort of civil litigation, from contract disputes to personal injury, each state, including South Carolina, does have its own statute of limitations. A separate time limit may apply to each type of claim.

South Carolina Deceptive Trade Practices Laws

Buyers seek the best deal, while sellers want to maximize profit. And as long as both parties are truthful, this works out very nicely. However, vendors will occasionally make misleading promises about their goods or use deceptive tactics to lure sales, such as misrepresenting a discount or concealing faults on a used product.

These unethical business activities are technically known as deceptive trade practices, and thankfully for customers in South Carolina State, there are laws in place to protect them against misleading advertising and other dodgy sales tactics. South Carolina has yet to enact the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act as a state. Instead, the South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act regulates this type of consumer misrepresentation.

South Carolina Interest Rates Laws

Consumer protection laws in South Carolina regulate interest rates on credit cards, judgments, and lending. Almost every state has its own interest rate laws, which limit how much interest creditors can increase their prices. In South Carolina, the legal ceiling for credit debt is now 8.75 percent.

FAQ

How To Change Registered Agent In South Carolina?

You must submit the RA change application form to the South Carolina Secretary of State in order to modify the registered agent in South Carolina. You may submit this electronically, by mail to the Secretary of State, Attn: Corporate Filings, 1205 Pendleton St., Ste. 525, Columbia, SC 29201, or by fax, depending on whatever option is most convenient for you. In South Carolina, it costs $10 to switch a registered agent.

How To Become A Registered Agent In South Carolina?

In South Carolina, registering as an agent is simple. You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state in order to register as an agent. In South Carolina, being a registered agent is not subject to any particular educational requirements.

Who Can Be A Registered Agent In South Carolina?

Anyone is eligible to serve as a registered agent in South Carolina. Anyone who meets the requirements, including your spouse, family members, LLC members, and you, is eligible to serve as a registered agent. The applicant must be an adult who is a resident of South Carolina.

How To Change Registered Agent Address In South Carolina?

To update a registered agent’s address in South Carolina, you must submit the RA Change Form with the updated address. The form may be filed electronically, by mail to the Secretary of State, Attn: Corporate Filings, 1205 Pendleton St., Ste. 525, Columbia, SC 29201, or by fax, depending on whatever option is most convenient for you. To the South Carolina SOS, please submit this form.

How To Find A Company’s Registered Agent In South Carolina?

Visit the South Carolina Secretary of State website to see who the registered agent is for a corporation there. You will have the ability to search for the company by name. To see the information, enter the company name and then choose the registered agent’s name.

What Does A Registered Agent Do In South Carolina?

In South Carolina, a company’s registered agent is in charge of obtaining licenses and legal notifications as well as serving any processes on the company’s behalf. In South Carolina, a registered agent is required. In South Carolina, you have the option of hiring a professional or serving as your own registered agent.

How To Appoint Someone As The Registered Agent In South Carolina?

By providing their information at the time of South Carolina business registration, registered agents may be designated. The formation paperwork features a part where you must provide information like the name, address, and phone number of the designated registered agent. Please give your personal details if you are acting as a registered agent.

How To Search For Registered Agent Address In South Carolina?

You must do the following actions in order to look up a registered agent’s address:
1. Visit the website of the South Carolina Secretary of State.
2. Find a corporation using its name.
3. Verify the Registered agent section and the address list.
You may use this method to look for the South Carolina address of the registered agent.

How Do I Look For A Business In South Carolina By The Registered Agent Name?

Visit the South Carolina Secretary of State’s website to do a company search there. The “Search” option may be found here. A company may be found using both its name and the name of its registered agent. To acquire the business information, choose “registered agent” and input the name of your registered agent.

What Is Required Of A Registered Agent In South Carolina?

Three requirements must be met in order to be a registered agent in South Carolina. The first is that you have to be older than 18 years old. The second requirement is that you must live in the state. To put it another way, you need a South Carolina street address. Finally, you need to be able to legally do business in South Carolina.

How To Look Up The Registered Agent Of A Corporation In South Carolina?

In South Carolina, it is simple to find a registered agent for a company. The South Carolina Secretary of State’s website must be accessed in order to achieve this. Go to the Business Search option. You may look for a company by name by choosing the Look up by name option. Once you have the company, you may look up the registered agent information.

How Do I Resign As A Registered Agent In South Carolina?

In South Carolina, a registered agent must provide a letter of resignation to the business that they are currently working for. A resignation notification should be given to the South Carolina Secretary of State to certify the registered agent’s departure after a certain number of days, along with the resignation letter.

How To Update Registered Agent In South Carolina Online?

You must submit the RA Change Form to the South Carolina Secretary of State in order to modify a registered agent in that state online. It’s not possible to update a new registered agent in every state online. To see whether the online option is offered, visit the South Carolina SOS website.

How To Get A Free Registered Agent In South Carolina?

In South Carolina, there are three methods to get a free registered agent. As your own registered agent, you may take the initial step. Second, if any member of your family, spouse, or friends is appointed as a registered agent. In South Carolina, there are businesses that help with company creation that provide free registered agent services.

How To Research For Registered Agent Information In South Carolina?

It is simple to look for a registered agent in South Carolina. The South Carolina Secretary of State’s official website must be accessed. If you know the company name, choose “search by name.” You may investigate a registered agent’s information from the list when you discover the firm information.

Where To Mail Registered Agent Forms In The State Of South Carolina?

The South Carolina Secretary of State, Attn: Corporate Filings, 1205 Pendleton St., Ste. 525, Columbia, SC 29201, should receive the registered agent form. You must designate the registered agent and provide all of their information on the formation paperwork when you register your firm. then send it via mail to the aforementioned address.

If A Company Does Not Have A Registered Agent In South Carolina, Who Is Served?

In South Carolina, you must have a registered agent for your business. If your firm doesn’t have a registered agent, however, you might face legal issues. Therefore, it’s essential to work with a registered agent in South Carolina (you may alternatively serve as your own registered agent).

How To Serve A Deceased Registered Agent in South Carolina?

Your firm won’t have a registered agent if a registered agent passes away. You must have a registered agent in South Carolina if you want to operate your business legally. All of the authority will be nullified once he or she passes away. Companies are required to inform the SOS immediately if their registered agent changes or is replaced.

How To Hide Registered Agent Name From SOS South Carolina?

If the registered agent’s name is concealed or not, cannot be answered with certainty. In certain states, it is possible to keep the names of LLC owners or members secret from the public register. If you have an anonymous LLC, it may happen. The name of the registered agent cannot be masked in certain states. For further information, go to the South Carolina Secretary of State’s company registration rules.

Who To Call To Identify Registered Agent Information In South Carolina?

Call 803-734-2158 to acquire the South Carolina registered agent details. South Carolina’s Secretary of State is open from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon (central time). To contact the department you’re searching for, dial this number and follow the instructions.

What Is Registered Agent’s Consent In South Carolina?

A registered agent’s permission is a declaration in writing that the agent is prepared to represent the business. If you replace or appoint a new registered agent in South Carolina, the new agent must get the SOS’s approval.

What Is The Difference Between Registered Agent And Resident Agent In South Carolina?

A registered agent and a resident agent are the same. The resident agent is another name for the registered agent in South Carolina. A resident agent is also known as a registered agent in the majority of states. The phrase “resident agent” is only used in a few states.

What Happens If The Registered Agent Does Not Give A Consent In South Carolina?

A legal sanction and obligation may be imposed on the person appointing a registered agent without the permission of a person designated as such in South Carolina. Additionally, individuals have the ability to refuse any obligations imposed by the procedure.

Can An LLC Be Sued If There Is No Registered Agent In South Carolina?

Yes, even if your LLC does not have a registered agent in South Carolina, you may still be sued. In South Carolina, there are several avenues to sue any company. There will be another means to sue the business if no one is available to accept the legal paperwork.

How To Reject The Registered Agent’S Designation In South Carolina?

In South Carolina, a registered agent has the option of accepting or rejecting the designation. The individual may sign the declaration of refusal and deliver it to the Secretary of State in order to reject the designation. The SOS website has the statement of rejection accessible.

How to Remove a Registered Agent for LLC in South Carolina

A registered agent for LLC in South Carolina can be removed by filing a Notice of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent or Both with the South Carolina Secretary of State with a filing fee of $10.

Removing a registered agent for an LLC in South Carolina is a straightforward process, but it is important to follow the necessary steps to avoid any complications. To begin, it is essential to understand the reasons why a registered agent may need to be removed. Some common reasons include the agent no longer being available or willing to act as the registered agent, the agent no longer being suitable for the role, or the LLC choosing to work with a different registered agent.

Once you have determined the need to remove the registered agent, the next step is to follow the specific procedure outlined by the South Carolina Secretary of State. In South Carolina, the process for removing a registered agent for an LLC involves submitting a Statement of Change of Registered Office or Resident Agent form to the Secretary of State. This form can be downloaded from the Secretary of State’s website or obtained by mail.

When filling out the Statement of Change of Registered Office or Resident Agent form, you will need to provide the name of the LLC, the name and address of the current registered agent, the name and address of the new registered agent (if applicable), and the effective date of the change. It is crucial to ensure that all information is accurate and up to date to avoid any delays in the process.

After completing the form, it must be filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State along with the appropriate filing fee. The filing fee for this form can vary, so it is essential to check the current fee schedule on the Secretary of State’s website before submitting the form. Once the form and fee have been received, the Secretary of State will process the request to remove the registered agent.

It is important to note that the LLC must have a new registered agent in place before submitting the form to remove the current registered agent. Failure to have a new registered agent appointed may result in delays or complications with the LLC’s legal and administrative processes.

In conclusion, removing a registered agent for an LLC in South Carolina is a simple process that involves following the specific steps outlined by the Secretary of State. By ensuring that all information is accurate and up to date and completing the necessary paperwork in a timely manner, business owners can successfully remove a registered agent and make any necessary changes to their LLC.

In Conclusion

Before you choose a registered agent for your South Carolina LLC, compare their price and services from the table. They will be responsible for all your documentation, filings, and other LLC-related tasks. Hence, choose the best one for your business that provides 100% accurate service at a reasonable price.

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