South Carolina Articles of Incorporation: Definition, Purpose
Quick Facts — Articles of Incorporation Lawyers
- Avg cost to draft an Articles of Incorporation (Corporations): $610.00
- Lawyers available: 99 business lawyers
- Clients helped: 80 recent articles of incorporation projects
- Avg lawyer rating: 4.94 (6 reviews)
What are South Carolina Articles of Incorporation?
South Carolina articles of incorporation is a legal document that new business owners must file to form a corporation. The purpose of articles of incorporation is to provide the state with information about the business like the corporation name, business purpose, and number of authorized shares of stock.
How Do I Find Articles of Incorporation in South Carolina?
Once filed, articles of incorporation are public record. This means that anyone can search for articles of incorporation for any business registered in the state of South Carolina. To find articles of incorporation, follow these steps:
- Visit the South Carolina Secretary of State Website.
- Click the tab labeled “Searches”.
- Select “Business Entities Search”.
This brings you to a search engine where you can enter the business name. Once you have located the business, you will be able to access important information like the effective date, registered agent information, and documents on file. From here, you can request company documents like articles of incorporation.
Does South Carolina Require Articles of Incorporation?
Yes. Filing articles of incorporation is the required first step for establishing a corporation in South Carolina.
How Do I Fill Out Articles of Incorporation in South Carolina?
You can fill out South Carolina articles of incorporation either online through the e-file portal, or by downloading an available form. You articles of incorporation must include the following information:
- The corporation name
- Total authorized shares, class of stock, and par value
- The specific purpose of the corporation
- Registered agent name and address
- The name and address of each incorporator
- The signature of each incorporator.
If you are unsure how to properly draft articles of incorporation, it is recommended that you hire a lawyer to assist you in drafting and filing these essential formation documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
See Articles of Incorporation by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
See Real Articles of Incorporation (Corporations) Projects
New Jersey New Business set up (New Jersey) Drafting
- New Jersey
- 10 lawyer bids
- $250 - $5,000
Washington File Articles of Incorporation Prepare & File
- Washington
- 5 lawyer bids
- $300 - $999
See all Articles of Incorporation (Corporations) projects in South Carolina
ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
Need to file articles of incorporation?
Meet some of our South Carolina Articles of Incorporation Lawyers
Jonathan M.
Owner and operator of Meek Law Firm, PC. Meek Law Firm provides comprehensive business law representation, precise and informed representation for real estate transactions in the commercial and residential markets of North and South Carolina and efficient succession and estate planning for business owners and individuals.
"He educated and did a through job with making sure that all the bases were covered in the contract reviewed. I do hope to work with again."
Brad T.
William Bradley Thomas, or Brad, is a seasoned attorney in South Carolina, offering expert counsel to both emerging and established businesses and individuals. His specialties encompass alcohol licensure, asset protection, business law, Counsel on Call Concierge Legal Service™, estate planning, NFA firearms trusts, legal research, and document review. Brad’s unique approach is informed by his rich experience and diverse background. Not only is he a devoted father to three daughters (Anna, Kate, and Jessica), but he also served as the assistant Oconee County, South Carolina attorney. A pioneer in the local industry, he co-founded Carolina Bauernhaus Brewery & Winery, the state’s first farmhouse brewery and winery. His other roles have included membership in the South Carolina Bar Association’s House of Delegates, a board member of the South Carolina Brewers Guild, and an affiliate member of the same organization. Moreover, Brad is a certified Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Green Belt and has accumulated over a decade’s worth of experience conducting onsite audits and financial analyses on domestic and international secured credit transactions, totaling over $5 Billion across diverse industries. With such a comprehensive skill set, Brad can provide sound legal and business advice that can help you manage and expand your business operations effectively. He can assist with selecting and establishing the most appropriate legal entity for your company, securing and retaining federal and South Carolina alcohol licensure, securing company incentives, and drafting, reviewing, and negotiating favorable contracts. All these services are designed to minimize risk and maximize both earnings and tax savings. Brad also offers estate planning services. Recognizing that life’s ups and downs can sometimes distract from ensuring that your loved ones are well taken care of, Brad applies the same legal and business fundamentals to his estate planning practice. These services include the preparation of wills, NFA firearms trusts (gun trusts), power of attorneys, and advance directives. So when your day at the office is over, you can relax, knowing that your business is running smoothly and your family’s future is secure, thanks to a tailored estate plan. If you’re seeking a trusted ally to guide you in business and personal legal matters, contact Brad Thomas at bthomas@scattorneysatlaw.com or review his firms website at www.scattorneysatlaw.com and discover how he can help you confidently navigate and enjoy all aspects of your life!
"Brad was responsive, professional and very helpful. I would definitely recommend him."
Ryan D.
Ryan Duffy is a skilled attorney with extensive experience in business law and estate planning. He received his undergraduate degree in Business from Franklin & Marshall College and went on to graduate from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ryan has worked with numerous clients on matters ranging from business formation and contract drafting to estate planning and asset protection. He is dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes achieve their goals while minimizing legal risks. He also works closely with individuals and families to help them protect their assets and plan for the future. With his extensive knowledge and practical approach, Ryan can provide valuable legal guidance and support to clients in need of business law and estate planning services.
"Awesome work, really put my mind at ease during a contract dispute with a major company."
April 17, 2023
Andrew M.
Business Venture Law: Andrew Moore, Esq. focuses on solving modern business problems with common sense at affordable rates.
Rob D.
Attorney with 10 years experience focusing on corporate transactions and formations, real estate, and estate planning.
July 9, 2024
Joshua S.
Business-focused attorney with a proven track record of providing comprehensive organizational support in a fast-paced setting under increasingly tighter deadlines. With experience in not just Legal, but also in Sales and Finance, balancing corporate interests against risk exposure to produce the ideal organizational solution – i.e., “seeing the big picture” – comes naturally. Exceptional communicator who thrives at building trusted relationships both internally & externally, as well as distilling complex legal concepts into more easily digestible ideas. Highly adept negotiator with an extensive understanding of a wide variety of contractual arrangements (Purchasing, Leasing, SaaS, ISAs, BAAs, DPAs, NDAs, etc.), and a working knowledge of major domestic and global data privacy laws. Passionate about sports, entertainment, and people.
April 18, 2025
Lauren A.
Lauren Acquaviva focuses her practice on alcohol licensing matters. Lauren has tried over one hundred tax and alcohol license cases at the South Carolina Administrative Law Court during her career. She also has handled appeals, including arguing before the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court. A New Jersey native, Lauren graduated from Monmouth University Summa Cum Laude in 2009 with a B.S. in Social Work and a passion for advocating on behalf of children. Immediately thereafter, Lauren moved to South Carolina to attend the University of South Carolina School of Law from where she graduated in 2012 in the top third of her class. During law school Lauren became a member of the Mock Trial Bar where she honed her trial skills and fell in love with being in the court room. In September of 2012, shortly after graduating from law school with the desire to become a trial attorney, Lauren began working for the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SC DOR) where she spent six years litigating alcohol licensing and tax matters on behalf of the Department. Lauren left the SC DOR in October of 2018 and joined a Mount Pleasant Law firm. In October of 2019, Lauren founded Viva Law Firm so she could focus on helping people navigate the complexities of South Carolina’s alcohol regulations.
Find the best lawyer for your project
Browse Lawyers NowLawyer Reviews for South Carolina Articles of Incorporation Projects
New Business Start Up
"Jane's expertise was essential for helping me navigate the nuances of filing for trademarks and more."
Articles of Incorporation
"Jimmy was excellent to work with. Very informative, gave me several options, communicated every day and completed the project ahead of schedule. I would highly recommend him if you are starting a new business and need help."
File Articles of Incorporation
"Laid everything out up front including cost and timeline. Kept to the timeline and explained everything he did and I need to do moving forward in layman's terms which is greatly appreciated."
New Business set up (New Jersey)
"Jason was easy to work with, took the time to answer the questions we had and delivered the scope of work as agreed."
Business
Articles of Incorporation
Florida
new business startup
we are located in florida but were told delaware is a good satte to incorporaet the business
Bruce B.
Yes. Many businesses choose to incorporate in Delaware because Delaware has favorable laws to business entities as well as a detailed history of how cases will by decided by their courts. For this reason Delaware is a good option to consider for incorporation. You can then register with the State of Florida as a foreign corporation doing business in Florida.
Corporate
Articles of Incorporation
New York
Does an LLC need articles of incorporation?
I am considering forming an NY LLC and am doing a bit of research.
Ramsey T.
LLCs are not technically "companies" or "corporations" and therefore they are not formed by filing Articles of Incorporation. Corporations are formed when you file Articles of Incorporation. LLS are formed by an "Organizer" who files a Form of Organization or Articles of Organization with a state. LLCs actually are "hybrids" with characteristic of companies in some ways and of partnerships in other ways.
Corporate
Articles of Incorporation
Florida
When do I need articles of incorporation?
I want to start an LLC in Florida and have read about articles of incorporation. I want to understand what they are used for.
Jane C.
You need articles of incorporation when you start a business, open a business bank account, and apply for a tax identification number. Disclaimer - This information is provided for general informational purposes only. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Non-Profit Corporation
Articles of Incorporation
New York
Can the Articles of Incorporation be amended to change the purpose of a nonprofit organization?
I am a board member of a nonprofit organization that was established with a specific purpose outlined in our Articles of Incorporation. However, due to changing circumstances and the evolving needs of our community, we are considering amending the Articles of Incorporation to expand our organization's purpose. We want to know if it is legally possible to make such changes to the Articles of Incorporation and if there are any specific requirements or procedures we need to follow in order to do so.
Damien B.
Hello! My name is Damien Bosco, Esq. My law office is located in Long Island City across from Manhattan. A not-for-profit corporation may amend its Certificate of Incorporation from time to time by filing a Certificate of Amendment under Section 803 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. The document may contain any information originally included in a Certificate of Incorporation (name change, revision to the purpose clause, etc.). Because you plan to alter the corporation's purpose, you must review Section 804 to ensure you obtain the necessary consent. If you need a consultation or help with this, feel free to reach out. Best regards.
Corporate Governance
Articles of Incorporation
New York
Can you provide me with information on the role and responsibilities of a registered agent in a business entity?
I recently started a small business and I have been advised to appoint a registered agent for my company. However, I am not fully aware of the role and responsibilities of a registered agent and how they can benefit my business. I would like to understand the legal requirements and obligations associated with this position, as well as how a registered agent can assist in ensuring compliance with state regulations and receiving important legal documents on behalf of my company.
Damien B.
If a company registers to do business in a state where it does not have a physical presence, it must designate a registered agent in that state to accept legal documents. This ensures compliance with state laws and provides a reliable way to receive official communications. A company can appoint itself as its registered agent to receive legal documents if it has a physical address in that state. In that situation, there would be no need to have a separate registered agent. Some business owners who work from home opt for a registered agent service, which can help protect privacy by keeping the individual's home address off public records. Feel free to reach out if you want a consultation or other legal services.
Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.
View Trustpilot ReviewNeed to file articles of incorporation?
Business lawyers by top cities
- Austin Business Lawyers
- Boston Business Lawyers
- Chicago Business Lawyers
- Dallas Business Lawyers
- Denver Business Lawyers
- Houston Business Lawyers
- Los Angeles Business Lawyers
- New York Business Lawyers
- Phoenix Business Lawyers
- San Diego Business Lawyers
- Tampa Business Lawyers
South Carolina Articles of Incorporation lawyers by city
- Charleston Articles of Incorporation Lawyers
- Columbia Articles of Incorporation Lawyers
- North Charleston Articles of Incorporation Lawyers
ContractsCounsel User
File Articles of Incorporation
Location: Pennsylvania
Turnaround: Less than a week
Service: Prepare & File
Doc Type: Articles of Incorporation (Corporations)
Number of Bids: 3
Bid Range: $600 - $1,875
ContractsCounsel User