SC Secretary of State - South Carolina Business Entity Search Online
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South Carolina Business Entity Search: Guide to Business Entities Online
South Carolina business entity search is free, official, and open to anyone. Run a Minnesota state business entity… Run a South Carolina state entity search before you start a new business, verify a partner, or claim a name.
As of May 2026, South Carolina has over 700,000 South Carolina businesses on file with the Secretary of State. Every business owner and founder conducting a South Carolina business entity search starts here. For basic searches, this tool costs nothing and takes under three minutes.
Who this guide is for: founders starting a new business, investors running due diligence, lenders verifying borrowers, attorneys checking filing history, and anyone researching South Carolina businesses.
Typical time: 2 to 5 minutes to search and check a name. 1 to 3 business days for name reservation. 1 to 5 business days for entity formation filings. Typical cost: $0 for search, $10 for name reservation, and $110 to $135 for filing, depending on entity type.
Quick Start: SC Business Entity Search
Go directly to the search portal. No account needed for a basic search.
• Main portal: businessfilings.sc.gov, search, filing, and document retrieval in one place
• Direct name search: businessfilings.sc.gov/BusinessFiling/Entity/Search
• SC Secretary of State main site: sos.sc.gov
• All public databases, including UCC: sos.sc.gov/searches
The Business Entities Online system is the official SC Secretary of State platform where you can file and search online, look up registered agents, and request certified documents. It is not a third-party tool.
What Is the South Carolina Business Entity Search?
The South Carolina business registration search is a free public search platform maintained by the South Carolina Secretary of State’s office. It provides access to public records for every registered business in the state of South Carolina. This secretary of state business entity database is called Business Entities Online.
The business entity search tool functions as a state entity search, a corporation search, and a filing system in one place. The Carolina Secretary of State business portal gives you instant access to official business data. The Business Entities Online system covers all registered businesses that have filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State.
Important: Sole proprietorships and general partnerships do not file with the Secretary of State in South Carolina. They will not appear in this entity database.
How to Conduct a South Carolina Business Entity Search – (Step-by-Step Guide)
You can complete a South Carolina business entity search in just a few minutes. Search by business name, registered agent, or entity ID.
Step 1: Visit the South Carolina Business Search Portal
Go to the official South Carolina Business Filings portal at, https://businessfilings.sc.gov/BusinessFiling/Entity/Search . This is the official source for business records.
Step 2: Choose a Search Type
Select one of the following search options:
- Business Name – Search by the business name.
- Registered Agent – Find entities using the agent’s name.
- Entity ID – Search using the filing number for an exact match.
Step 3: Enter Your Search Term
Type the business name or other details into the search box. Then choose a match option:
- Contains – Finds names containing your search term.
- Starts With – Finds names that begin with your search term.
- Exact Match – Finds the exact legal business name.
Step 4: Review the Results
Browse the results and click the correct business name to view its record.
Step 5: View the Business Record
The business profile shows important details, including the entity status, filing history, registered agent, and available documents.
Use the registered agent search option in south carolina to find all entities linked to a specific agent. This is useful for due diligence on business in south carolina.
South Carolina Business Entity Search – FAQs
Is the South Carolina business registration search free?
Yes. A basic search at businessfilings.sc.gov costs nothing. Fees apply only for certified documents, certificates, and formal filings.
What does active vs inactive status mean?
Active means the entity is in good standing and has filed all required reports. Inactive means the entity has failed to maintain compliance and is no longer in good standing with the South Carolina Secretary of State.
Can I find registered agent information through this search?
Yes. Open any entity record and the registered agent name and registered office address appear in the details. The secretary of state’s system makes this information publicly viewable for all entities.
How do I get certified copies of business documents?
Log in to businessfilings.sc.gov and navigate to the entity record. Select the document and request a certified copy. Processing takes three to seven business days. Fees vary by document type.
Do sole proprietorships appear in this search?
No. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships do not file with the Secretary of State in South Carolina. They will not appear in the Business Entities Online system.
How do I check if a business name is available?
Run a Contains search at businessfilings.sc.gov for your desired business name. No active match means the name may be available. Reserve it for $10 before filing to lock it in.
What is a Certificate of Existence?
A Certificate of Existence (also called a Certificate of Good Standing) confirms your entity is active and registered. Lenders, banks, and out-of-state registrations often require it. Order it through the filing portal for $10.
How does a foreign entity register to do business in South Carolina?
File a Certificate of Authority through businessfilings.sc.gov and pay $110. Appoint a registered agent in South Carolina. The south carolina secretary then processes the filing, usually within five business days.
Is the UCC search the same as the business registration search?
No. The UCC Electronic Filing, Search and Retrieval system is separate from Business Entities Online. Access it through sos.sc.gov/searches. Run both searches for complete due diligence on any south carolina business entity.
What search terms all lead to the same database?
South Carolina business search, South Carolina entity search, sc business search, sc llc lookup, sc corporation search, and Secretary of State South Carolina search all point to the same portal at businessfilings.sc.gov.
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