Direct Access is the Secretary of State's computer access program that puts information into your hands as quickly and easily as possible.  Using the Direct Access system you have complete access to:

All Corporate Filings:

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Corporate Name

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Registered Agent and Address

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Date of Original Filing

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Date of Amendment or Merger Filings

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Current Status of the Corporation

 

All Uniform Commercial Code Filings:

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Debtor Names

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Secured Party

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Collateral Property

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Effective Expiration Date of Each Lien

 

Notary Publics:

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Name

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Date of Commission

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Expiration Date

 

What equipment do I need to use Direct Access?

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A Personal Computer

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A Modem

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Communications Software (such as HyperTerminal, ProComm Plus, SmartCom, etc.)

How do I use Direct Access?

1.    Set-up equipment.

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Set terminal emulation at VT100

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Set Communications setting to "N81" (Parity = none; data bits = 8; stop bits = 1)

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Set modem baud rate to 9600 bps.

2.    Call the Secretary of State modems at:

803-734-0603 803-734-0606 803-734-2339
803-734-2116 803-734-1117 803-734-1105
803-734-1114  803-734-2338 803-734-2388

3.    Once connected, press "enter" key three times to initiate user name prompt.  At the prompt type:  PUBLIC

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Use CTRL Z keys to go to the next screen

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Use CTRL D keys to go to the previous screen

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Use  =  key as a "select" key

4.    Accessing Corporate Information:  Using "Palmetto Air" as an example, follow these steps to check the name availability or corporate status of a business:

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After accessing the system, enter #2, "Corporation Menu".

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Select #1, "Corporate Inquiry".

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Enter "Palmetto Air", then press CTRL Z. If you don't have the full name, type what you know.

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A list of possible matches will come up. Use the arrow keys to put the cursor next to the name you want to view and press   "="  key.

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This screen lists: registered agent's name and address, type of corporation, current status and history. The bottom of the screen lists if the document is available on microfilm or as an electronic image.

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Press "=" to view all associated names for the company.

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Press return to move to comments section.

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Press return again to see the document ID number.

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Type "F" and press return to fax documents available on image (not on microfilm). Enter your name, fax number and a message.

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Any time you need to back up through the screens, press CTRL D.

5.    Accessing UCC Information (Example:  Tracking down the UCC filings on a potential debtor for a bank):

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After accessing the system, enter #3, "UCC Filings".

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Select #1, "Debtor Inquiry".

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Enter the debtor name and press CTRL Z

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A list of possible matches will come up. Use the arrow keys to put the cursor next to the correct name and press "=".

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This screen lists: debtor's name, address, and a list of UCC filings. This will include dates of filing and expiration, status, document type (image or microfilm), and UCC-3 ID numbers.

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To check for related UCC-3's, press return to move the cursor beside any UCC-1 filing and press "=".

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Press the return key to move through the "debtor" and "secured party" fields to find the name and address information on that party.

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Type "F" and press return to fax documents available on "image". Enter your name, fax number and a message.

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Press CTRL D anytime you need to back up.

 

Contacts:

Jody Steigerwalt (803) 734-2345
 

 

 

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Postal Address
P.O. Box 11350
Columbia, SC  29211
Physical Address
Edgar Brown Building
1205 Pendleton Street Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201

 

PLEASE NOTE:  The information on this page is a brief synopsis and should not be construed as the governing   statute.  The information contained in this site is considered accurate at the time of publication. We try to update this site frequently but the information contained herein is subject to change or modification. If you have further questions, you may wish to consult the person given as the contact for the respective divisions. The information contained in this site is not a substitute for legal counsel. You may need to contact a private attorney if you need legal advice or assistance. If you discover any errors in this site, please let us know by e-mailing our  webmaster.