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South Carolina Secretary of State, Jim Miles' Office

UPDATE: Cemetery Board Bill Update
Click here for more information

NOTE:  The Secretary of State's office does not handle the elections or their results in South Carolina; that information can be found at the S.C. Election Commission's website (http://www.state.sc.us/scsec)

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Business Filings - Registration of incorporated businesses, limited liability companies (LLC's), limited liability partnerships (LLP's), limited partnerships, non-profit organizations, and professional associations.
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UCC - Filing of UCC Article 9 interests for Secured Transactions.
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Boards & Commissions - The Office of the Secretary of State is responsible for the issuance of commissions to persons elected in a general election as well as people appointed by the Governor
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Boards and Commissions Vacancies & Expirations - Secretary of State has the duty of publicizing vacancies, expired terms, and those terms expiring within one year on a semiannual basis statewide.

Cemetery Bill Update:  House Bill H3319 seeks to reestablish the Cemetery Board that was dissolved in 1992.  Please contact your representative and/or senator if you support this bill.
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Cemeteries - The Secretary of State no longer regulates cemeteries since the Cemetery Board was legislatively dissolved in 1992. The Secretary of State has no authority over the operation or formation of any cemeteries with exception to the initial incorporation. Those inquiring about cemeteries are advised to contact DHEC and their local business licensing authority for any other requirements. If there is a concern about fraud, then complaints should be lodged with the Department of Consumer Affairs or the local law enforcement authority.
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Business Opportunities - South Carolina law requires that all business opportunities be registered with the Secretary of State's office before a seller places advertisements or makes representations to prospective purchasers 
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Office Directory - See a listing of names and phone numbers for Employees of the Secretary of State's Office.
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Forms - Get the forms you need to register and/or file with the Secretary of State's Office.
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Trademarks - A trademark or service mark may be registered with the Office of the Secretary of State provided the mark meets all the requirements of the South Carolina Trademark and Service Mark statute (see the statute for details).

 

 

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Public Charities - Any charitable organization which intends to solicit contributions in the State of South Carolina, or have contributions solicited on its behalf, must file a registration statement and an annual financial report with the Secretary of State.
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Professional Fundraisers and Solicitors - South Carolina law requires that any person conducting professional fundraising for a charitable organization must be registered with the Office of the Secretary of State
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Notaries - The Office of the Secretary of State is responsible for the commissioning of Notaries Public for South Carolina and keeping the original copies of the Oath of Office on file.  Duties of a Notary Public
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Apostilles - State Authentication is a certificate authenticating the acts of a Notary Public or an official whose signature is filed with this office.   Countries that are a party to the Hague Convention require a form of certification called an Apostille.
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Employment Agencies - All private personnel placement services must obtain a license from the Secretary of State and an application for a license must be made separately for each location.
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Municipal Incorporations and Annexations - Before any town or community may incorporate as a city, it must first go through a detailed statutory process overseen by the Secretary of State's office.  The Secretary of State also files annexations, but does not oversee the annexation process.
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Service of Process - The South Carolina Secretary of State's Office serves as the Agent for Service of Process on various entities (as provided by statute) for such legal documents as writs, summons and complaints, etc.
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Special Purpose Districts A Special Purpose District is a district created by an act of the General Assembly or pursuant to general law and which provides any governmental power or function including, but not limited to, fire protection, sewerage treatment, water or natural gas distribution, recreation and means any rural community water district authorized or created under the provisions of Chapter 13 of Title 6.
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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.