South Carolina · Corporations and LLCs
Serving a Business or Registered Agent in South Carolina
DFS serves South Carolina corporations, LLCs, partnerships and associations by delivering the summons and complaint to a person the rules authorize to receive it, usually the registered agent, an officer or a managing agent.
Business service DFS handles
Service on South Carolina corporations, LLCs and partnerships through registered agents, officers or managing agents, with documented proof.
- Registered agent deliveryService at the registered office listed with the Secretary of State.
- Officer or managing agentDelivery to an officer or managing agent where counsel directs it.
- Name and title recordedThe affidavit states who accepted the papers and the authority they gave.
- Refusal documentationIf staff refuse or redirect, the exchange is filmed and logged.
- Multiple entitiesRelated companies with different agents can be served under one quote.
Getting the papers to the right person
Handing a summons to whoever is at the front desk does not always bind a company. SCRCP Rule 4(d)(3) generally calls for delivery to an officer, a managing or general agent, or an agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service.
For corporations, S.C. Code § 15-9-210 (domestic) and § 15-9-240 (foreign, authorized) make the registered agent the agent for service. Its name and address are listed with the South Carolina Secretary of State.
How a business serve works
- Check the Secretary of StatePull the entity record and registered agent from Business Entities Online.
- Send the papersProvide the entity's exact legal name, agent details and any other addresses.
- Approve the quoteCounty, level and price are confirmed in writing.
- Receive the affidavitThe signed affidavit names the person served and their stated role.
Points to confirm with counsel
Business service rules have several branches, and the right one depends on the entity's status.
- A foreign corporation doing business without authority may be served through the Secretary of State under S.C. Code § 15-9-245; that is a filing step, not a field serve.
- Certified mail to a registered agent is a separate method under Rule 4(d)(8) handled by the party or counsel.
- DFS does not determine who is authorized to accept service; it records exactly what happened.
Questions about business & registered agents
Where do I find a South Carolina registered agent?
The South Carolina Secretary of State's Business Entities Online system has an entity search and an agent search showing the registered agent and office on file.
Can a receptionist accept service for a company?
It depends on whether that person is an officer, managing agent or authorized agent. DFS asks for the person's name and authority and records the answer.
What if the registered office is vacant?
DFS documents the attempt and reports it. Counsel can then consider another authorized person, a different address or the statutory fallback methods.
South Carolina guides
Longer answers from the DFS Guides & FAQ.
Related pages
More on process serving in South Carolina.
Reviewed October 2026 by Delator Field Services. General information about South Carolina practice, not legal advice.
Papers to serve in South Carolina?
Send the documents and the recipient’s last known address through the request form. DFS confirms the county, service level and price in writing before the first attempt.
Questions first? Call or text (629) 310-8667 or email contact@delatorgroup.com.