South Carolina

Foreign registration · Form 326

South Carolina Corporation Foreign Registration in Louisiana

Louisiana registers a corporation from South Carolina as a foreign corporation on Form 326, with $160 in state fees. Louisiana may ask for South Carolina's Certificate of Existence ($10). We file it with the Secretary of State, Commercial Division from your South Carolina records, then serve as your registered agent there for year one.

What South Carolina and Louisiana each ask for

	South Carolina formed here	Louisiana registering here
Document	South Carolina Certificate of Existence	Form 326, Application of Foreign Corporation for Certificate of Authority
State fee	$10	$160 at order
How it is handled	South Carolina: online	Filed with Louisiana
Paid expedite		24-hour $35, 2 to 4 hour $60
Office	South Carolina Secretary of State	Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division
Official page	businessfilings.sc.gov	sos.la.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report (Schedule D of Form SC1120 / SC1120S), fee set by the state, every year	Annual Report, $30, every year
Due	15th day of the 4th month after the close of the tax year	On or before the anniversary of the date authority to do business was issued
Agent	Your South Carolina agent for service of process	Our Louisiana registered agent

How South Carolina companies register with Louisiana

We prepare and file Form 326
It lists us as your Louisiana registered agent, next to your South Carolina name and formation date. If Louisiana wants the South Carolina certificate, it is ordered first. After approval, your South Carolina corporation is registered with Louisiana.

Will your South Carolina name work for Louisiana?

We check your exact South Carolina name against Louisiana's records before filing.

Agents: Louisiana and South Carolina

Louisiana calls it a registered agent; South Carolina says agent for service of process. Your current agent for service of process stays for South Carolina; ours takes Louisiana's papers and notices.

Staying in good standing in South Carolina and Louisiana

South Carolina wants the Annual Report (Schedule D of Form SC1120 / SC1120S) every year; Louisiana wants the Annual Report every year ($30). The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, South Carolina to Louisiana

An LLC formed in South Carolina files Form 972 with Louisiana ($190 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Existence ($10)). See the LLC filing.

Registering a Louisiana company in South Carolina

A corporation formed in Louisiana that registers with South Carolina files Form F0002 with $110 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Good Standing ($25). See that filing.

Questions South Carolina owners ask about Louisiana

Does my South Carolina company need to register in Louisiana?

Yes, once a South Carolina business operates there; Louisiana law lists 10 activities that do not count on their own.

Is this a certificate of authority?

Yes: Louisiana issues one to South Carolina corporations once the form is approved.

How much does the Louisiana registration cost?

$359 at checkout; Louisiana may also want South Carolina's Certificate of Existence, at extra cost.

What are the yearly costs for South Carolina and Louisiana?

Our registered agent renewal ($149 a year), South Carolina's report (fee set by the state) and Louisiana's report ($30).

What if I don't register with Louisiana?

A South Carolina company cannot sue in court there until it registers.

Does Louisiana require a registered agent?

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

Can I form a new Louisiana corporation instead?

Yes, but South Carolina keeps the original, so you run two companies: the new one files Louisiana's Annual Report ($30), and the original keeps South Carolina's yearly report.

What does a Louisiana company file to register in South Carolina?

It files Form F0002 with $110 in state fees, plus Louisiana's good standing certificate.

Official sources

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