South Carolina

Foreign registration · Form S&DC-S/N

South Carolina Corporation Foreign Registration in California

A corporation formed in South Carolina that wants to do business in California files Form S&DC-S/N, with $100 in state fees. California may ask for South Carolina's Certificate of Existence ($10). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business Entities from your South Carolina records, then serve as your agent for service of process there for year one.

South Carolina and California side by side

	South Carolina formed here	California registering here
Document	South Carolina Certificate of Existence	Form S&DC-S/N, Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation
State fee	$10	$100 at order
How it is handled	South Carolina: online	Filed with California
Paid expedite		24-hour $350, same-day $750
Office	South Carolina Secretary of State	California Secretary of State, Business Entities
Official page	businessfilings.sc.gov	sos.ca.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report (Schedule D of Form SC1120 / SC1120S), fee set by the state, every year	Statement of Information (Form SI-550), $25, every year
Due	15th day of the 4th month after the close of the tax year	Last day of the corporation's registration-anniversary month, annually
Agent	Your South Carolina agent for service of process	Our California agent for service of process

From South Carolina to California, step by step

We prepare and file Form S&DC-S/N
It lists us as your California agent for service of process, next to your South Carolina name and formation date. If California wants the South Carolina certificate, it is ordered first. After approval, your South Carolina corporation is registered with California.

Will your South Carolina name work for California?

If another California company uses the South Carolina name, an alternate name is allowed. California can hold a name for 60 days for $10 before you file.

Agents: California and South Carolina

South Carolina and California both call it an agent for service of process. California papers come to us; South Carolina's agent is unchanged.

Staying in good standing in South Carolina and California

South Carolina wants the Annual Report (Schedule D of Form SC1120 / SC1120S) every year; California wants the Statement of Information (Form SI-550) every year ($25). The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, South Carolina to California

An LLC formed in South Carolina files Form LLC-5 with California ($70 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Existence ($10)). See the LLC filing.

The other way: California into South Carolina

A corporation formed in California that registers with South Carolina files Form F0002 with $110 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Status ($5). See that filing.

Questions South Carolina owners ask about California

Does my South Carolina company need to register in California?

Yes, once a South Carolina business operates there; California registers it as a foreign corporation.

Is this a certificate of authority?

California calls it registration for South Carolina corporations; other states say certificate of authority.

How much does the California registration cost?

$299 at checkout; California may also want South Carolina's Certificate of Existence, at extra cost.

How long does the California registration take?

California's online processing takes 5 days or less, plus time for South Carolina's certificate if California asks for it. Paid expedite: 24-hour $350, same-day $750.

What are the yearly costs for South Carolina and California?

Our agent for service of process renewal ($149 a year), South Carolina's report (fee set by the state) and California's report ($25).

What if I don't register with California?

California can charge a South Carolina company a penalty of $20 a day.

Does California require a registered agent?

Yes: the South Carolina agent for service of process stays, and ours covers California for year one.

Will California accept my South Carolina name?

Yes, if no company there has it; if one does, it uses an alternate name there and keeps its South Carolina name at home.

Can I form a new California corporation instead?

Yes, but South Carolina keeps the original, so you run two companies: the new one files California's Statement of Information (Form SI-550) ($25), and the original keeps South Carolina's yearly report.

How do I withdraw from California later?

South Carolina companies leave by filing Form CORP-SURC, Certificate of Surrender; until then, California's report stays due alongside South Carolina's filings.

Official sources

People also search

Corporation into California, by home state (48)

South Carolina into other states (41)

The same move for an LLC