If you’re relocating to South Carolina and plan to take your business with you, you have a couple options. Here’s what you need to know:
Can I move my LLC to South Carolina?
Yes. There are two ways you can start doing business in South Carolina. Your first option would be to dissolve and “wind up” your business in your home state, then start a new South Carolina LLC. Alternatively, you can keep your LLC registered in your home state, then apply for a certificate of authority in South Carolina, which will allow you to conduct business in SC. However, obtaining a certificate of authority (also known as foreign registration) means you’ll be paying state fees in two states, which might not be worth it if you’re only conducting business in one.
How do I get a certificate of authority in SC?
To obtain a certificate of authority in South Carolina you’ll have to submit SC’s Application for a Certificate of Authority to the secretary of state’s office. When filing, you must include two copies of the application, a self-addressed envelope, an original certificate of existence (or certificate of good standing) from your home state, and the $100 filing fee. South Carolina also requires applications to note whether the person filing the form is a member or manager (only if the LLC is manager-managed).
You may submit this form online using South Carolina’s online portal, Business Entities Online, or via mail:
Secretary of State
ATTN: Corporate Filings
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201
Does South Carolina allow for LLC domestication?
No. Unfortunately, South Carolina state statutes only allows foreign corporations to domesticate in SC. (Domestication is the state-assisted process of moving a company from one state to another—it’s often the easiest and most cost-effective option.) To domesticate a corporation in South Carolina, you’ll have to complete South Carolina Articles of Domestication, as well as your first South Carolina Annual Report, and pay the associated fee of $135.