South Carolina Registered Agent
As you start the process of establishing your business in South Carolina, you will undoubtedly come across references for appointing a registered agent. This can be a confusing term at first and may even feel overwhelming as you try to get your business up and running. Fortunately, we’re here to help by covering everything you need to know about appointing a registered agent in South Carolina.
Below, we discuss what a registered agent is and the rules around appointing one in South Carolina. Then, we provide information about choosing a registered agent service or appointing a separate individual so you can make an informed decision.
What is a South Carolina Registered Agent?
South Carolina registered agents are individuals or authorized businesses appointed to act as a contact point between your business and the state or federal government. Your registered agent is fully responsible for receiving and accepting official notices on behalf of your business; these include items like the South Carolina Certificate of Good Standing, notice of lawsuits, rulings from courts, and general federal or state compliance-related business. Occasionally, your registered agent will also oversee filing compliance forms with the state or notifying you when it is time to file certain documents.
The registered agent that you appoint in South Carolina can be any individual that is at least 18 years old. The individual may be yourself, a close friend or family member, or an outside person. As long as your registered agent possesses a valid street address (that isn’t a P.O. Box), they are eligible to be appointed. You should keep in mind, however, that any registered agent you appoint must be available during regular business hours. This can be difficult when you appoint yourself, a friend, or a family member, which is why some business owners choose to use a registered agent service instead.
A registered agent service in South Carolina performs the same duties as an individual; the service accepts notices on your behalf and passes along important documents in real-time. Many business owners choose to use an authorized registered agent service as it can be a more convenient and stress-free way of meeting the state’s requirements. It does, however, require more upfront investment and an annual cost, unlike appointing yourself or a close friend.
You should note that neglecting to appoint a registered agent for your business can result in the state of South Carolina denying your business the right to legally operate. You could also receive fines and penalties or a drop in a good standing status with the state if you do not have a registered agent at any point during the operation of your business.
Why Do Businesses Use a South Carolina Registered Agent Service?
Utilizing a registered agent service in South Carolina can benefit your business in a number of ways. We discuss these below so you can understand how this service may be the best option.
Compliance Tracking
Ongoing compliance is important when it comes to keeping your business running. If you miss deadlines or fail to file important compliance documents, you may be met with serious penalties or fees from the state of South Carolina. A registered agent service will generally provide a calendar of state-specific deadlines. The service will either notify you when it’s time to file or file on your behalf, something that can save you a significant amount of time and stress.
Flexibility
Any registered agent appointed in South Carolina must be available during regular business hours. This can be a difficult thing to keep up with if you or someone close to you acts as your agent. The availability required can distract you from running your business and make it difficult to have a flexible schedule.
However, when you use a registered agent service, you have a more flexible schedule as the service has employees available during regular business hours. This allows you to meet the state’s requirements and focus on running your business with the schedule you need, something that can take a lot of stress off your shoulders.
Document Storage
Any registered agent service you use will most likely offer some type of document storage system. This can make it incredibly easy to access and refer to important notices when you need them. It also allows you to be notified in real-time of any document that the service receives. For many individuals, this system is preferable over keeping track of paper documents that you receive when acting as your own agent.
Privacy and Discretion
When you use a registered agent service, you can put down their contact address on your state’s formation paperwork instead of yours or another individual close to you. This can give you added privacy as the address of your registered agent will typically become accessible by the public once your business is formed.
Additionally, your business may receive notices of lawsuit of other highly sensitive documents. Having these arrive at your registered agent service and being able to look at them discretely can be preferable to having a document arrive to a close individual or in front of customers.
Business Expansion
As you grow your business, a registered agent service can provide you with opportunities for expansion. This is because a service will typically have locations in other states; when you want to grow your company, you must register as a foreign business in the other state, something that requires a local registered agent. You cannot appoint yourself if you don’t have a valid state street address, which is where a registered agent service comes in to help.
Most registered agent services offer discounted pricing and easy assistance if you want to expand your operations and continue using their services.
What to Look For When Choosing a South Carolina Registered Agent?
There are several things to keep in mind when choosing a registered agent in South Carolina, whether you are appointing yourself, a close individual, or a dedicated registered agent service.
Professionalism and Customer Support
Regardless of who you are appointing, professionalism is essential. This means any individual you select to be your registered agent, including friends and family members, should have a good understating of their responsibilities.
If you decide to use a registered agent service, you should also look to see if customer support staff maintain their professionalism and whether they have many reviews, as this can attest to their reputation.
Cost and Value
While it is important to keep your business’s budget in mind, you should also remember the value of your time and the benefits that a registered agent service can offer. A registered agent service may be more expensive, but it can save a significant amount of stress in most cases. That said, if you want to start off with small investments, appointing yourself or a close individual as a registered agent may be the best, most cost-effective way to get started.
Services Provided
This may apply more to a registered agent service, but it is essential to keep in mind the services that a registered agent service can offer you. You should look out for things such as online document storage, customer support and professional advice, expansion opportunities, and compliance tracking.
And when it comes to appointing yourself or a close individual as your registered agent, you should be certain that you or the other party fully understands the job and can carry out the responsibilities expected of your registered agent.
How Much Do Registered Agents Cost?
The cost of a registered agent can be little to nothing if you appoint yourself or another individual. Or it can be an annual cost when using a registered agent service. Most registered agent services cost between $99 and $300 annually, depending on the company you are using and the services that are provided.
What’s the Best Registered Agent Service in South Carolina?
The best registered agent service in South Carolina is one that easily fits into your business’s needs and works with your budget. Our most recommended and best value choice for a registered agent service in South Carolina is ZenBusiness.
ZenBusiness provides expert advice, online document management systems, worry-free compliance tracking, and friendly customer support. All this at one low annual cost makes it an incredibly budget-friendly choice, one that is sure to benefit your business in the long run.