South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations. Put the trade name on the city or county business license application and the Department of Revenue registration, and check the Secretary of State’s entity search so the name is not already an entity name. A trade name gives no exclusive right to the name.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 1 of 6: Set up the business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by South Carolina Secretary of State; your county or city.
Sources and dates
Secretary of State business entity pages (the office does not register DBA or trade names, except an assumed name certificate for a limited partnership under Code of Laws 33-42-45). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
Yes. South Carolina has no assumed name registry for sole proprietors, LLCs or corporations.
South Carolina Secretary of State; your county or city.
Step 1 of 6, set up the business. It is the first step.
Who needs a trade name (DBA): no state registration in South Carolina?
