How to Form a Limited Liability Company in South Carolina

Start an LLC in South Carolina in 5 Easy Steps.

Step 1: Give Your South Carolina LLC a Name
Step 2: Select a Registered Agent in South Carolina.

Step 3: File the Articles of Organization.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement.
Step 5: Obtain an EIN

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It is simple to form an LLC in South Carolina.

To establish a South Carolina LLC, you must submit the Articles of Organization with the South Carolina Secretary of State, which costs $110. You may apply both online and by mail. The Articles of Organization are the legally binding documents that establish your South Carolina Limited Liability Company.

STEP 1: Give your South Carolina LLC a name.

The first and most significant step in forming an LLC in South Carolina is deciding on a name.

Make sure your name meets South Carolina naming standards and is readily searched by prospective customers.

1. Follow the naming conventions:

The word “limited liability corporation” or one of its acronyms must be in your name (LLC or L.L.C.).
Your LLC’s name cannot include terms that may be confused with a government organization (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
Restricted terms (e.g., bank, attorney, university) may need extra documentation and the participation of a licensed professional, such as a doctor or lawyer, in your LLC.
Your name must be distinct from any existing limited liability business, corporation, limited partnership, or fictitious name in South Carolina (DBA).

2. Does the name exist in South Carolina? Check the State of South Carolina’s website for a Business Name Search to ensure that the name you choose isn’t already in use.

3. Is the URL accessible? We suggest checking online to see whether your company name is accessible as a web domain. Even if you don’t intend to construct a company website right away, you may want to purchase the URL to prevent others from gaining it.

STEP 2: Select a South Carolina Registered Agent

You must choose a registered agent in South Carolina for your LLC.

What exactly is a registered agent? A registered agent is a person or corporate organization that receives vital tax forms, legal papers, lawsuit notices, and other government communication on your behalf. Consider your registered agent to be your company’s point of contact with the state.

Who is eligible to be a registered agent? A Registered Agent must be a South Carolina citizen or a company, such as a registered agent service, that is permitted to do business in South Carolina. You may choose someone from your organization, even yourself.

STEP 3: Submit the Articles of Organization for the South Carolina LLC.

You must submit the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State to register your South Carolina LLC. You may apply both online and by mail.

STEP 4: Draft an Operating Agreement for a South Carolina LLC.

An operating agreement is not essential for a South Carolina LLC, but it is a good idea to have one.

What exactly is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document that outlines an LLC’s ownership and running processes.

Why are operating agreements necessary? A detailed operating agreement guarantees that all firm owners are on the same page and decreases the likelihood of future disagreement.

STEP 5: Apply for a South Carolina LLC EIN.

What exactly is an EIN? EIN is an acronym that stands for Employer Identification Number. EINs are nine-digit numbers provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to companies to assist them be identified for tax reasons. It is basically a business’s Social Security number.

An EIN is also known as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or a Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN) (FTIN).