If you are forming an LLC or a corporation in South Carolina, you first need a business name search. Like all other states, South Carolina requires each LLC or corporation registered in the state to have a unique business name. You can do a South Carolina business name search on the South Carolina Secretary of State website to see if the business name you want to use is available.
Related: Checklist To Start A Business In South Carolina
Steps To Do A South Carolina Business Name Search
Step 1: Visit the Business Name Database
Go to the South Carolina Secretary of State website.
Step 2: Search your Business Name
Enter the name you would like to use in the “Search by Business Name” field. In this example, we will search for a South Carolina LLC name by looking up “Landscaping Experts.” Enter your desired name and click “Search”.
Step 3: Review Results
When we search the registered names, we get a list of all the businesses with the words “Landscaping Experts. ” To register a corporation or LLC name in South Carolina, the name must be distinguishable from the other registered names. If you were looking to form an LLC with this name, you would get the warning that “This name is currently being used” and wouldn’t be able to register it.
To find more information about any registered business names, click on the link in the “Entity Name” column to see a detailed report.
While the name “Landscaping Experts ” may not be available, other variants such as “Landscaping Experts of South Carolina” are available. Searching for those business names brings a result that says, “There were no records found.” Even if the name looks like it is available, the Secretary of State will do their own search to avoid confusing potential customers with a business name that sounds like someone else’s. Typically, words that sound alike but are spelled differently and even abbreviations will make names show up as available but won’t be approved.
These are the basics of searching for a business name in South Carolina. Even when the name of the business you want looks like it is available, the Secretary of State will make a final determination when filing to ensure the name you picked isn’t too similar to other registered names.
Something to also keep in mind is that even though each Corporation and LLC name must be unique, it may not stop someone else from using that name since business names for a sole proprietorship or partnership are not registered by the Secretary of State and are not required to be unique. To protect your business name, consider getting a trademark.
Related: Should I trademark my business name?
What information can be found on the South Carolina business entity database?
The business entity database search can find several pieces of information about the business. Some of the highlights include:
- Business Name
- Entity type: Business structure, such as a corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited Partnership, etc.
- Status: Good Standing means all reports and filing fees are up to date. Other results include “Dissolved” or “Forfeited.” The names of these inactive results may be available to register.
- Domestic/Foreign: A domestic entity is one that is headquartered in South Carolina, while a foreign entity is one that is headquartered in another state and wants to physically do business in South Carolina.
- Effective Date: Date the entity became active
- Registered Agent Information: A South Carolina registered agent is the singular point of contact for the entity should a legal or tax notice need to be sent to the business.
- Contact Information: Names of the officers and their titles.
South Carolina Business Name Search FAQs
How do I find a name for a South Carolina sole proprietorship?
Unlike corporations and LLCs in South Carolina, the names of South Carolina sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not listed on the state database. Instead, they are registered with the County Clerk’s office in the county where the business is located.
Registering a name for a sole proprietorship or general partnership requires filing a South Carolina Certificate of Assumed Name (often referred to as a DBA or Doing Business As name) with the County Clerk.
What are the naming guidelines for a South Carolina LLC?
In addition to being unique, a South Carolina LLC name must include a special designator such as Limited Liability Company, LLC, L.L.C., etc., and it may not use restricted words such as bank or insurance unless the entity is licensed to operate as such.
Can an LLC name be reserved in South Carolina?
If you want a name but are not ready to register the LLC, you can file the Application to Reserve a Limited Liability Company Name. The name reservation will hold a name for up to 180 days.
