What is a South Carolina Good Standing Certificate and why do I need one?

A South Carolina Good Standing Certificate is a one-page document issued by the South Carolina Secretary of State which includes information which indicates whether or not a business is allowed to legally conduct business in the state of South Carolina.

A SC Good Standing Certificate is often required for loans, to renew business licenses, or for tax or other business purposes in the state of South Carolina or in any other state. One of the most common reasons that ypu might need a SC Good Standing Certificate is to apply to do business in a state other than South Carolina.

See our  South Carolina Good Standing Information  page if you would like more specific information.

OTHER NAMES FOR A SOUTH CAROLINA GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE

  • SC Certificate of Authority
  • SC Certificate of Status
  • SC Certificate of Subsistence
  • SC Certificate of Qualification
  • SC Certificate of Compliance
  • SC Certificate of Standing
  • SC Certificate of Authorization
  • SC Certificate of Fact
  • SC Letter of Good Standing
  • SC Letter of Status
  • SC Good Standing Certificate

Example of a South Carolina Certificate of Good Standing

Example of a South Carolina Good Standing Certificate

What does it say on a South Carolina Good Standing Certificate?

I SECRETARY OF STATE NAME, Secretary of State of the State of South Carolina, do hereby certify that COMPANY NAME is a South Carolina Corporation registered to transact business in South Carolina on FORMATION DATE. I further certify that all fees and documents required by the Secretary of State's office have been received and is in good standing as far as this office is concerned.

PLEASE NOTE: In South Carolina a Good Standing Certificate is called a Certificate of Existence. This sometimes causes confusion when the requesting party, commonly the Secretary of State in another state besides South Carolina, requests a "Good Standing Certificate". In these cases a South Carolina Certificate of Existence will fulfill the requirements for a South Carolina Good Standing Certificate.

SOUTH CAROLINA GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE
COST CALCULATOR

Priority certificate IN HAND in 2-3 hours

SC Company Options

CORPORATION

  •    Priority - $112.00 - (2-3 hours)*
  •    Regular - $73.00 - (1-2 business days)

LLC / LLP / LP

  •    Priority - $112.00 - (2-3 hours)*
  •    Regular - $73.00 - (1-2 business days)

Delivery Options


  •    USPS First Class - free
  •    USPS Priority Mail - $15.00
  •    USPS Express Mail - $35.00

  •    Scanned email copy - $10
    (Included with Priority order)
Choose options.
Cost is updated automatically.
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How much does it cost for a South Carolina Certificate of Good Standing?

Total cost for a South Carolina Good Standing Certificate depends on the type of company and how fast you need the Certificate. Choose your options on our South Carolina Good Standing Certificate Cost Calculator to determine exactly how much your Certificate will cost. With our South Carolina Good Standing Certificate services there are no hidden charges, surprise fees or any sign-ups required to get your Certificate.
*next and same day service for orders received before 1 PM South Carolina time (excludes weekends and holidays). Priority price includes scanned and emailed copy of South Carolina Good Standing Certificate and USPS First Class delivery.

PLEASE NOTE: We have no control over and cannot guarantee South Carolina Secretary of State processing times.

Need a South Carolina Good Standing Certificate to register your SC Company in another state?

A Corporation, LLC, LP or LLP that is registered in the state of South Carolina may require a South Carolina Good Standing Certificate to qualify as a "Foreign Corporation" in a state other than South Carolina.

A Foreign Corporation is a Corporation that is registered with a state agency, usually the Secretary of State, in one state and has the Authority to do business in another state. For example, a Corporation registered in the state of California that plans to do business in the state of South Carolina is a "Domestic Corporation" in California and a "Foreign Corporation" in the state of South Carolina.

Need a South Carolina Certificate of Good Standing for a SC Attorney?

If you are a South Carolina Attorney or if you need to find out if a South Carolina Attorney is in Good Standing with the highest court in the state of South Carolina, then you will need a Good Standing Certificate from the South Carolina Supreme Court.

If you are a South Carolina Attorney who plans to practice in the US District Court system then you may need a Good Standing Certificate from the U.S. District Court for District of South Carolina.

Need a South Carolina Good Standing Certificate for SC Tax Compliance?

If you need to verify that all outstanding tax liabilities for a South Carolina Corporation or South Carolina LLC have been paid then you need a South Carolina Tax Status Compliance Certificate.

A South Carolina Tax Status Compliance Certificate is issued by the South Carolina Department of Revenue and is sometimes called a Tax Clearance Certificate, an Entity Status Letter, a Certificate of Account Status or a Tax Good Standing Certificate.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE CONTACT INFORMATION

SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS SERVICES

GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE INFORMATION FOR ANY STATE

South Carolina Secretary of State
  • Edgar Brown Building
  • Columbia, SC 29201
  • Tel:  803-734-2158

South Carolina Department of Revenue

South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation