South Carolina § 33-31-120 - Filing requirements.

Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 33-31-120 — Filing requirements., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 33-31-120. Filing requirements.

(a) A document must satisfy the requirements of this section, and of any other section that adds to or varies these requirements, to be entitled to filing by the Secretary of State.

(b) This chapter must require or permit filing the document in the office of the Secretary of State.

(c) The document must contain the information required by this chapter. It may contain other information as well.

(d) The document must be in a medium and form as permitted by the Secretary of State.

(e) The document must be in the English language. However, a corporate name need not be in English if written in English letters or Arabic or Roman numerals, and the certificate of existence required of foreign corporations need not be in English if accompanied by a reasonably authenticated English translation.

(f) The document must be executed:

(1) by the presiding officer of its board of directors of a domestic or foreign corporation, its president, or by another of its officers;

(2) if directors have not been selected or the corporation has not been formed by an incorporator; or

(3) if the corporation is in the hands of a receiver, trustee, or other court-appointed fiduciary, by that fiduciary.

(g) The person executing a document shall sign it and state beneath or opposite the signature his or her name and the capacity in which he or she signs. The document may, but need not, contain:

(1) the corporate seal;

(2) an attestation by the Secretary or an assistant secretary; or

(3) an acknowledgement, verification, or proof.

(h) If the Secretary of State has prescribed a mandatory form for a document under Section 33-31-121, the document must be in or on the prescribed form.

(i) The document must be delivered to the office of the Secretary of State for filing and must be accompanied by one exact or conformed copy, except as provided in Sections 33-31-503 and 33-31-1509, the correct filing fee, and any franchise tax, license fee, or penalty required by this chapter or other law.

HISTORY: Former SECTION 33-31-120 [1962 Code SECTION 12-760; 1952 Code SECTION 12-760; 1942 Code SECTION 1226; 1932 Code SECTION 1226; Cr. C. '22 SECTION 114; Cr. C. '12 SECTION 258; Cr. C. '02 SECTION 198; 1900 (23) 390]; 1994 Act No. 384, SECTION 1; 2005 Act No. 101, SECTION 2, eff June 1, 2005.

Effect of Amendment

The 2005 amendment, in subsection (d), substituted "in a medium and form as permitted by the Secretary of State" for "typewritten or printed".

Source: official South Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 33-31-120

What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 33-31-120 cover?

Section 33-31-120 ("Filing requirements.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite South Carolina § 33-31-120?

A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 33-31-120" (South Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of South Carolina law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.

How does South Carolina § 33-31-120 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.