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PrintInitial Fees and Licenses in South Carolina
If you're going to operate your business in South Carolina, when you start up you're likely to incur filing fees and licensing fees depending on the type of business you run and your business form (corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC)).
Corporations. If you're doing business as a domestic corporation (a corporation incorporated in South Carolina) or a foreign corporation (a corporation organized in a state other than South Carolina) in South Carolina, you will be subject to various fees when you start up. The following are the filing requirements and payments by domestic and foreign corporations to the South Carolina Secretary of State:
| Document | Fee |
| Articles of incorporation | $135 |
| Amendment to articles of incorporation | $110 |
| Articles of merger or share exchange | $110 |
| Foreign corporation certificate of authority | $135 |
| Amendment by a foreign corporation of its certificate of authority | $110 |
| Articles of dissolution | $10 |
| Application for surrender of authority to do business | $10 |
Limited liability companies (LLCs). If your company is either a domestic or foreign limited liability company (LLC), you must file articles of organization with the South Carolina Secretary of State.
The fee for filing the articles of organization is $110. The fee for filing an application for a certificate of authority is $110. Annual registration (or renewal) of a foreign LLC name is $10.
Licenses and fees. South Carolina requires that you obtain a license and pay a fee if you are operating certain types of businesses in the state. Be sure to check with the state to make sure you are complying with the license requirements for your particular profession.
