Business entities that file with the Secretary of State's Office must provide registered agent and registered office information for service of process upon the entity. Through the Secretary of State’s Business Entities Online system, the public may search for and obtain registered agent and registered office information for any entity on file with this Office.
In limited circumstances, when there is not a current registered agent and registered office information on file for an entity, the Secretary of State may serve as the agent for service of process. To determine if the Secretary of State may accept service on behalf of a particular entity, please refer to S.C. Code of Laws Title 15, Chapter 9, S.C. Code of Laws Title 33 and Rule 4 of S.C. Rules of Civil Procedure for applicable provisions governing service of process.
Service of process upon the Secretary of State that is not specifically authorized by statute or that does not meet each of the requirements below will not be accepted and will be returned to the requesting party.
To request acceptance of service of process by the Secretary of State, please submit the following:
- South Carolina Service of Process Cover Letter (PDF)
- Two copies of the documents for service.
*In most cases, these documents should be filed with the appropriate court (as evidenced by the Clerk of Court's stamp) before service. - The appropriate filing fee for each service of process request. The fee is $10.00 per request. If you have multiple addresses or cases for service upon a single party, please submit an additional $10.00 fee for each separate address and/or case. If you are requesting service upon a nonprofit corporation pursuant to S.C. Code of Laws § 33-31-1707(b), then the fee is $20.00 per request.
Requests may be submitted by mail or in person during office hours.
SC Secretary of State's Office
Attn: Service of Process
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-0367