How to look up South Carolina business entity information

South Carolina business entity information, including entity name, type, number, and formation date, is available through the South Carolina Secretary of State's Business Entities Online system. This free online database provides immediate access to the four key details you need for onboarding, compliance, or business transactions.

Below, we'll walk you through exactly how to search the South Carolina database, where to find each piece of information, and what format each data point takes in South Carolina's system.

Summary table: Finding your South Carolina entity information

How to search for South Carolina business entities

Access the South Carolina business entity search to look up any registered business by name, entity number, or registered agent.

The search returns results immediately with all entity details visible. South Carolina's system offers three search modes: "begins with," "contains," and "exact match." While the system supports partial matches (searching "Palmetto" will return "Palmetto Manufacturing LLC" and other related terms), using your complete legal name as registered ensures you get precise results.

The portal may occasionally require CAPTCHA verification, which can interrupt searches. If you encounter slow loading times, try searching during off-peak hours for better performance. Click your entity name in the results to view complete details, including your entity number and formation date.

What you'll see in search results

South Carolina search results display:

• Legal entity name (exact spelling and punctuation)
• Entity type (LLC, Corporation, PLLC, LP, LLP, Nonprofit Corporation, etc.)
• Entity ID (numeric format)
• Formation/file date
• Current status (Active, Dissolved, Forfeited, etc.)
• Registered agent information

How to find your entity number in South Carolina

Your South Carolina entity number, officially called your "Entity ID," is a numeric value assigned by the South Carolina Secretary of State when your entity was formed.

Where to locate your South Carolina entity number

1. South Carolina business search (fastest method)

• Located: Prominently displayed in search results and on the entity details page
• Labeled as: "Entity ID"
• Format: 1234567 (numeric sequence of varying lengths)

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Usually at the top of the document
• May be labeled as "File Number," "Document Number," or "Entity ID"

3. Annual reports and state correspondence

• Appears on all official South Carolina Secretary of State documents
• Used as your account identifier for state filings

South Carolina entity number format

South Carolina business entity numbers are unique numeric identifiers, but they are not typically formatted as seven-digit numbers nor officially described as being assigned sequentially by formation date.

How to find your entity type in South Carolina

South Carolina recognizes multiple business entity types, listed exactly as shown in your business search results and formation documents.

Where to find your South Carolina entity type

1. South Carolina business search (most accessible)

• Displayed: Prominently in search results under "Entity Type"
• Listed as: "LLC," "Corporation," "PLLC," "Limited Partnership," etc.

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• At the top of your formation document
• May state "Certificate of Formation of Limited Liability Company" or similar

3. Filing documents

• Listed in entity information section
• Cannot be changed without formal amendment

How to find your formation date in South Carolina

Your formation date (when the South Carolina Secretary of State officially filed and approved your business entity) appears in South Carolina business search results and on your Certificate of Formation.

Where your South Carolina formation date appears

1. South Carolina business search (easiest access)

• Listed as: "Formation Date," "File Date," or "Date Filed"
• Location: Displayed in search results and on the entity detail page

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Top of the document
• May say "Filed on [date]" or "File Date: [date]"
• Sometimes stamped with South Carolina Secretary of State seal and date

3. Filing confirmations

• References original filing date
• Used to calculate compliance requirements, though South Carolina LLCs don't require annual reports

Formation date vs. effective date

In South Carolina, the formation and effective dates are typically the same. The state allows businesses to specify future effective dates when filing, but most entities become effective immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.

Next steps: Onboarding your entity to Discern

You've got what you need from South Carolina's system: business name, entity type, Entity ID, and formation date. Now get those details into Discern and let our platform handle ongoing compliance management, deadline tracking, registered agent coordination, and multi-state registration across all your jurisdictions.

Ready to eliminate compliance uncertainty? Book a demo to see how we handle ongoing compliance management.