If you've visited us before and want to know what's
changed, take a look here first. This is where we will announce anything new!
In response to requests and as a public service to the
taxpayers of South Carolina the South Carolina Secretary of
State, Jim Miles, is proud to announce a series of free
instructional seminars for all South Carolina Notaries
Public. Click
here for more information and schedule.

The South Carolina Assembly ratified Revised Article 9 on June 7, 2001. To
see the text of the bill go to Bill
498. Be advised that this bill is long and deals with Articles 2A, 5, and 8
also. The revision will go into effect on July 1, 2001. South Carolina's version
is substantially similar to the Model Revised Article 9. For updates on the
progress of Revised Article 9 nationally and for resource materials concerning
the new rules and transition procedures go to http://www.intercountyclearance.com/index.html
or www.ernst.cc.

S.C. Code 33-44-211
concerning the filing deadline for subsequent annual reports for limited
liability companies was changed by the General Assembly in Act 395. Subsequent
reports now must be delivered to the Secretary of State's office on or before
the fifteenth day of the fourth month following the close of the taxable year of
that limited liability company. The filing deadline for initial annual reports
remains the same: between January first and April first of the year following
the calendar year in which the limited liability company was organized or a
foreign company was authorized to conduct business.

The Year 2000 Scrooges and Angels lists, our annual listing of some of the
best and worst charities in South Carolina, are now available on our site. Just
follow this link to the Scrooges and Angels
to find out more.

You can now find out just how much a charity in South Carolina donates toward
their charitable cause. Follow the link to the Charities
Database and enter the name of a charity. If they are registered in South
Carolina and they are not exempt from registering, then the database will
provide you with that charity's most recently filed financial information.

The forms necessary to transact business with our office
are now available online. Each form is created in Adobe's Portable Document
(PDF) Format (which require either Adobe Acrobat 4.x or the FREE Acrobat
Reader). We've upgraded these
forms to allow you to fill them out, then print and sign
them for submission (forms must be signed). These forms can also be
downloaded and saved to your hard drive for later use. These forms have also been
standardized and updated. All of the forms are now letter size.
Please take a look at our new forms page by clicking here.

Guidelines for South Carolina Nonprofit Organizations
is a manual prepared by Glenice B. Pearson that provides sample forms,
instructions, guidelines, and advice on incorporating as a nonprofit entity in
South Carolina. This manual is available in downloadable form by following
this link to our Division of Public Charities page.

Vacancies on Boards and Commissions
Available Online
Vacancies on the Boards and Commissions falling under the
Secretary of State's jurisdiction fare now available online. The vacancies
are listed online in a spreadsheet format. The vacancies are also
available in an Adobe Acrobat format and a Microsoft Excel format which can be
downloaded and printed at your convenience. Please take a look at our new
Boards and Commissions page by clicking here.

Debit Accounts
The Office of the Secretary of State is proud
to announce yet another new service! We now offer a debit account as a method of
paying fees for corporate and UCC filings. This service is available to all
South Carolina attorneys. There is a minimum $1,000.00 deposit required to
establish a debit account in your firm's name. Each firm must submit a completed
application form including the name and telephone number for a contact person
responsible for the account.
Debit vouchers will be issued and a voucher
is required for each transaction at the time service is rendered. One may be
sent with the filing request or faxed if the request is taken by phone.
The account will be debited at the time service is rendered for the appropriate
fee amount. A monthly balance statement will be issued and a minimum
balance of $100.00 must be maintained in order for debits to be issued.
For accounting purposes, at the end of each
fiscal year debit accounts will be brought to a zero balance and funds remaining
will be reimbursed to your firm. Our fiscal year ends June 30. For more
information, contact Tracey Thompson at 803-734-0208.