How Do I Change My Registered Agent in South Carolina?
You’ll need to change your registered agent in South Carolina by submitting a Notice of Change form to the South Carolina Secretary of State.
Navigating this process is easy when following the steps below.
Alternatively, most registered agent services will file this information for you.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent ($125/year) offers a reliable registered agent service and excellent customer support.
Changing South Carolina Registered Agents
Whether you wish to change your registered agent, your current registered agent resigns, or you want to be your own agent, you can follow the steps below to make the change.
Changing Your Registered Agent When Using a Professional Service
If you are hiring a new service, they will often file the necessary paperwork for you.
The benefits of using a professional South Carolina registered agent service are:
- Less Risk: A professional service will ensure that you don’t miss important legal documents, business filings, or notifications (e.g., service of process, etc.).
- More Flexibility: A service will always be present to receive service of process documents on your behalf during normal business hours so that you don’t have to be.
- Privacy: If you act as your own agent, your name and business address will become part of the public record. Using a third-party registered agent address will help keep your information private. You’ll also avoid receiving lawsuit-related documents in front of your clients.
- Peace of mind: Using a service allows you to focus on running and growing your business. This is why you should consider a South Carolina registered agent for your limited liability company.
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Changing Your Registered Agent Online
You can complete and submit a Notice of Change via the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Business Entities Online website. The steps for this process include:
- Log in to the Secretary of State's website
- Select “Search Existing Entities” and search for and select your company
- Select “Add Filing”
- Select “Notice of Change of Designated Office, Agent or Address of Registered Agent”
- Complete and submit the form along with the filing fee
If your new agent isn’t available during online filing, you must upload a form with their signature indicating their consent to appointment.
Changing Your Registered Agent by Mail or In Person
To submit a Notice of Change by mail or in person, first download the form from the South Carolina Secretary of State website and then fill it out. South Carolina has different forms for different types of business structures:
- Corporation
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Limited Partnership (LP)
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
- Nonprofit
- Benefit Corporation
Note that your new registered agent will need to sign their consent on the form.
South Carolina Secretary of State
Attn: Corporate Filings
1205 Pendleton St., Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201
South Carolina Filing Fee
South Carolina requires a $10 filing fee. You can pay this fee by check, money order, or credit card (online filing only).
FAQs
The current filing fee for changing a registered agent in South Carolina is $10.
Yes, individuals and businesses are permitted to act as their own registered agent in South Carolina. Note, you must be the minimum age of 18, have a physical address in South Carolina, and accept service of process and other legal documents during regular business hours.
Yes, it is possible to change your South Carolina registered agent using the state’s dedicated Business Entities Online website.