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The Official Web Site of the State of South Carolina

Did you know that as of January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act enacted by Congress requires many companies to report beneficial ownership information to the US Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)? Beneficial ownership information (BOI), as defined by FinCEN, is identifying information about the individuals who directly or indirectly own or control a company. Please review the BOI links on our website to see if you are required to report to FinCEN.

Certifications by Commissioned South Carolina Notaries Public

  • Documents that are signed by individuals who are not elected or appointed officials and whose signatures are not on file with the Secretary of State’s Office MUST be notarized by a commissioned South Carolina Notary Public.
  • School transcripts, report cards or letters MUST be signed by a school official and the official’s signature MUST be notarized.
    • Record checks from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), local sheriffs or police departments MUST be signed by an official from that office and his/her signature MUST be notarized. The Secretary of State’s Office cannot authenticate a records check obtained from the Internet.
  • Notarized documents MUST include a complete notarial certificate, including the facts attested to by the notary. (For example, "sworn and subscribed before me on this ____ day of ____, 20__.")