Does South Carolina have a Certificate of Formation?
No. South Carolina does not use the term Certificate of Formation for LLCs. The document that creates a South Carolina LLC is the Articles of Organization, filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State under Title 33, Chapter 44, the South Carolina Uniform LLC Act.
Quick facts
- Actual document
- Articles of Organization (South Carolina has no LLC “Certificate of Formation”)
- Agency
- South Carolina Secretary of State - file via Business Filings Online
- Filing fee
- $110 (2026), set by § 33-44-1204
- Governing law
- South Carolina Uniform LLC Act, Title 33, Chapter 44
- Registered agent
- Required - South Carolina street address (§ 33-44-108)
- Annual report
- None for standard LLCs (only if taxed as a corporation)
The same question in every other state
This requirement is set at state level, so the answer changes when you cross a state line. Below is how 27 other states answer the same question, each linked to the page that cites the agency it came from. The full breakdown is on How to Form an LLC.
| State | Answer |
|---|---|
| Arizona | No. Arizona does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
| California | No. California does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
| Colorado | No. Colorado does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
| Connecticut | No. Connecticut does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
| Florida | No. Florida does not use the term Certificate of Formation for LLCs. |
| Idaho | Not by that name. Idaho's LLC formation document is called the Certificate of Organization, filed with the Idaho Secretary of State. |
| Iowa | No. Iowa does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
| Kentucky | No. Kentucky forms an LLC by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State for a $40 fee. |
| Louisiana | No. Louisiana does not use the term Certificate of Formation for LLCs. |
| Maryland | No. Maryland does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
| Massachusetts | No. Massachusetts does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
| Michigan | No. Michigan does not use the term Certificate of Formation. |
| Minnesota | No. Minnesota does not use the term Certificate of Formation for LLCs. |
| Missouri | No. Missouri does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
| Nevada | No. Nevada does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
| New Mexico | No. New Mexico does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
| New York | No. New York does not use the term Certificate of Formation for LLCs. |
| Ohio | No. Ohio does not use the term Certificate of Formation. |
| Oklahoma | No. Oklahoma does not use the term 'Certificate of Formation' for LLCs. |
| Oregon | No. Oregon does not use the term 'Certificate of Formation' for LLCs. |
| Pennsylvania | No. Pennsylvania does not use a Certificate of Formation. |
| Tennessee | No. Tennessee does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
| Utah | No. Utah does not use the term 'Certificate of Formation.' The document that forms a Utah LLC is the Certificate of Organization, filed with the Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code under Utah Code § 48-3a-201. |
| Vermont | No. Vermont creates an LLC through Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State under 11 V.S.A. |
| Virginia | No. Virginia does not use the term Certificate of Formation for LLCs. |
| West Virginia | No. West Virginia LLCs file Articles of Organization on Form LLD-1 with the Secretary of State. |
| Wisconsin | No. Wisconsin does not use a document called a Certificate of Formation. |
Full context for South Carolina
This page answers one question. The complete South Carolina guide -- covering the surrounding requirements, the forms, the agency, and what happens if you get it wrong -- is at South Carolina Certificate of Formation: Articles & Cost (2026).
Sources
- https://sos.sc.gov/online-filings/business-entities
- https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t33c044.php
- https://dor.sc.gov/business-income-taxes/corporate/corporate-faqs
- https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t12c036.php
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/limited-liability-company-llc
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