The Official Web Site of the State of South Carolina

Did you know that as of January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act enacted by Congress requires many companies to report beneficial ownership information to the US Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)? Beneficial ownership information (BOI), as defined by FinCEN, is identifying information about the individuals who directly or indirectly own or control a company. Please review the BOI links on our website to see if you are required to report to FinCEN.

Mark Hammond

Photo Gallery

View the 2023 Angels and winners from previous years.

Secretary Hammond tours Rhino Medical Supply in Columbia, SC
Secretary Hammond tours Rhino Medical Supply in Columbia, SC. Secretary Hammond met with CEO Lance Brown, COO Elliot Haynie and CSO Tripp Robinson to tour Rhino Medical's facility and discuss its contributions to medical facilities and the local community.
Secretary Hammond tours Rhino Medical Supply in Columbia, SC
Secretary Hammond tours Rhino Medical Supply in Columbia, SC. Secretary Hammond met with CEO Lance Brown, COO Elliot Haynie and CSO Tripp Robinson to tour Rhino Medical's facility and discuss its contributions to medical facilities and the local community.

 

Secretary Hammond and staff Melissa Dunlap, Sharon Wiley and Doug Renew at the Hollings Cancer Center presentation.
Secretary Hammond and staff Melissa Dunlap, Shannon Wiley and Doug Renew at the Hollings Cancer Center presentation.

 

Secretary Hammond presenting MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Director Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D., with the Certificate of Proclamation recognizing the award of a $39,024 grant to the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center following a landmark enforcement action against four sham charities and their directors.
Secretary Hammond presenting MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Director Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D., with the Certificate of Proclamation recognizing the award of a $39,024 grant to the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center following a landmark enforcement action against four sham charities and their directors.

 

Governor Henry McMaster's Signing of The Electronic Notary Act - S.631
The Electronic Notary Act, S.631, is the next step in our efforts to make South Carolina the most business-friendly state in our nation. Transactions will now be more secure and easier to process. I thank the E-Notary Task Force and my staff for their hard work; the Legislature for their support; and Governor McMaster for his signature.

 

Members of the SC 2020 Electoral College
Members of the SC 2020 Electoral College were Suzette Jordan, James S. Ulmer, Jr., Gerri McDaniel, Terry Hardesty, Cindy Costa, Drew McKissick, Charm Altman, Sandra Bryan, and Cheryl Cuthrell.

 

Electoral College President Drew McKissick and Electoral College Secretary Cindy Costa
Electoral College President Drew McKissick and Electoral College Secretary Cindy Costa cast their votes.

 

Secretary of State Mark Hammond
SC Secretary of State Mark Hammond certifies the Certificates of Vote for President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Michael R. Pence.

 

Moye Graham, Chairman of the Clarendon County Republican Party
Moye Graham, Chairman of the Clarendon County Republican Party, led the Electoral College in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

NewImageSC storefront
SC Secretary of State Hammond announced the seizure of over $300,000 in counterfeit merchandise in Columbia, SC.  NewImageSC conducted business at 1945 Decker Boulevard. The merchandise included trademarks from brands such as Louis Vuitton, PINK, Versace, Chanel, Burberry, Gucci, Fendi, Cartier, Nike, Champion, NFL, NBA, and NCAA.

 

Counterfeit merchandise
“Counterfeit merchandise, largely from China, causes an estimated $225 billion in damage to our nation’s economy each year,” said Secretary Hammond.

 

Counterfeit merchandise
It is estimated that the annual cost of IP theft to the US economy exceeds $225 billion, and could be as high as $600 billion.

 

counterfeit goods
The Library of Congress reports that approximately 80% of counterfeit goods are produced in China, and that between 60-80% of these goods are purchased by Americans.

 

Counterfeit merchandise
“Counterfeit merchandise hurts consumers who purchase inferior and even dangerous products,” said Secretary Hammond.  “Counterfeiting is not and never will be a victimless crime.”

 

Surgical masks donated by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
July 7, 2020 - The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta (TECO) donated 92,000 surgical masks to support South Carolina frontline medical personnel in the fight against COVID-19. State agencies involved with the delivery, receipt and warehousing of the masks included the Secretary of State’s Office, Emergency Management Division, and United States Representative Joe Wilson of the Second Congressional District.

 

During the Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State Inauguration.
June 14, 2019 - Secretary Hammond leads his student Secretary of State counterparts during the Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State Inauguration.

 

Secretary Hammond with Governor Henry McMaster
March 5, 2019 - Secretary Hammond presents Governor Henry McMaster with his commission of office celebrating McMaster’s first elected term as South Carolina’s Governor.

 

 

Attending the NASS Summer Conference in Santa Fe, NM.
July 2, 2019 - Secretary Hammond attends the NASS Summer Conference in Santa Fe, NM. Secretary Hammond co-chaired the Business Services Committee. Topics included the Corporate Transparency Act of 2019; an update from the International Association of Commercial Administrators; and the scope of sovereign citizen activity from fraudulent filings to domestic terrorism.

 

Secretary Hammond with Attorney General Alan Wilson
March 7, 2019 - Secretary Hammond presents Alan Wilson with his commission of office celebrating Wilson’s third term as South Carolina’s Attorney General.

 

Secretary and Mrs. Ginny Hammond
January 9, 2019 – Secretary Hammond and Mrs. Ginny Hammond are presented during the 2019 Inaugural.

 

Fifth term as South Carolina’s Secretary of State
January 9, 2019 began Secretary Hammond’s fifth term as South Carolina’s Secretary of State.

 

Secretary Hammond at the 2018 Notary Public Seminar
August 28, 2018 - Secretary Hammond greets attendees of the 2018 Notary Public Seminar in West Columbia, SC.  The Secretary of State’s Office presents numerous free notary public training sessions across our state.

 

Secretary Hammond poses with Corrine Holland from SC.GOV with IACA award
May 8, 2018 - The SC Secretary of State’s Office won the 2018 International Association of Commercial Administrators (IACA) Merit Award for its Online Business Entities Filing, Search and Document Retrieval System. Representing SC.gov is Corrine Holland; the Honorable Mark Hammond represents the SC Secretary of State’s Office.

 

Secretary Hammond poses with office staff holding the IACA award
May 8, 2018 - The SC Secretary of State’s Office won the 2018 International Association of Commercial Administrators (IACA) Merit Award for its Online Business Entities Filing, Search and Document Retrieval System. The IACA Merit Award recognizes jurisdictions that have developed innovation through the implementation of a new or improved product or service. Representing the SC Secretary of State’s Office are Jody Steigerwalt, Director, Business Filings Division UCC/Corporation Department of the SCSOS; Larry Hubbard, Director of Information Technology, SCSOS; Melissa Dunlap, SC Deputy Secretary of State; Mark Hammond, SC Secretary of State; and Allison Dempsey, Assistant to the IT Director.

 

Presenting the Centennial Business award to Osteen Publishing Company
March 7, 2018, - Secretary Hammond presents the Centennial Business award to Osteen Publishing Company of Sumter for having been in business in South Carolina for more than 100 years.

 

Presenting the Centennial Business award to Seibels, Bruce & Company
February 22, 2018 - Secretary Hammond congratulates Seibels, Bruce & Company of Columbia and presents them with the Centennial Business award for having been in business in South Carolina for more than 100 years

 

Presenting the Centennial Business award to Citizens Building & Loan Association
February 20, 2018 - Secretary Hammond presents the Centennial Business award to Citizens Building & Loan Association of Greer, S.C. for having been in business in South Carolina for more than 100 years.

 

Presenting the Centennial Business award to Evening Post Industries, Inc
October 10, 2017 - Evening Post Industries, Inc. of Charleston has been in business in South Carolina for more than 100 years. Secretary Hammond presents them with the Centennial Business award.

 

Presenting the Centennial Business award to Sonoco Products
September 26, 2017 - Secretary Hammond presents the Centennial Business award to Sonoco Products Company. This Hartsville company has been in business in South Carolina for more than 100 years.

 

Secretary Hammond holds plaque presented to him by NASS
July 10, 2017 - Secretary Hammond was recognized by NASS (National Association of Secretaries of State) for his outstanding service and longtime leadership support, including multiple committee leadership roles. Since 2004, Secretary Hammond chaired, co-chaired or served on the Standing Committee for Business Services; Company Formation Task Force Subcommittee; Business Identity Theft Task Force Subcommittee; and the Standing Committee on International Relations.  In 2011, he was elected by his colleagues to serve on the Executive Board of NASS as an At-large Member.  In this capacity, he served as the liaison to the Notary Public Administrators (NPA) section of the organization.

 

Presenting the Centennial Business award to Comporium, Inc.
May 17, 2017 - Secretary Hammond present the Centennial Business award to Comporium, Inc. in Rock Hill for having been in business in South Carolina for more than 100 years.

 

Presenting the Centennial Business award to Builders Supply Co.
May 17, 2017 - Secretary Hammond presents the Centennial Business award to Builders Supply Co. This family-owned Lancaster company has been in business in South Carolina for more than 100 years.

 

Secretary Hammond presents award to Burroughs & Chapin Company
December 7, 2016 - Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc. was presented the Centennial Business award by Secretary Hammond. This Myrtle Beach company has been in business in South Carolina for more than 100 years.

 

Centennial Business award to Colonial Trust Co.
November 30, 2016 - Secretary Hammond presents the Centennial Business award to Spartanburg’s Colonial Trust Co. for having been in business in South Carolina for more than 100 years.

 

Centennial Business award to Abbeville First Bank, SSB
October 26, 2016 - Abbeville First Bank, SSB for has been in business in South Carolina for more than 100 years. Secretary Hammond presents them with the Centennial Business award to mark this milestone.

 

2016 Presidential election
December 19, 2016 – Secretary Hammond greets South Carolina’s nine electors prior to them casting their votes in the 2016 Presidential election.

 

Secretary Hammond with the South Carolina Electoral College.
December 19, 2016 – South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond convenes the meeting of the South Carolina Electoral College.

 

The SC Electoral College convened to cast votes
December 19, 2016 - Secretary Hammond convened the meeting of the South Carolina Electoral College, which cast all nine electoral votes for Donald J. Trump of New York.

 

Secretary Hammond speaking to students and constituents
Secretary Hammond enjoys the opportunity to greet students and constituents and to tell them about the many important services and duties of the Secretary of State’s Office.

 

Secretary Hammond addresses reporters in Washington, DC
May 19, 2015 - Secretary Hammond addresses reporters in Washington, DC following a press conference where it was revealed that four sham cancer charities had bilked more than $187 million from donors nationwide. The multi-state action, which included the SC Secretary of State's Office, represents one of the largest such cases in charity enforcement history.  

 

Secretary Hammond with Governor Nikki Haley
February 8, 2015 - Secretary Hammond presents Governor Nikki Haley with her commission of office celebrating Haley’s second term as South Carolina’s Governor.

 

2014 Charities Bill
March 13, 2014 - Secretary Hammond, along with General Counsel and Chief of Staff Melissa Dunlap and Deputy General Counsel Shannon Wiley, celebrate the passage of House Bill 3367 into law.  This legislation amended the South Carolina Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act to facilitate enforcement of the Act, and responds to concerns raised by persons and organizations active in the nonprofit community.

 

Secretary Hammond and Governor Nikki Haley
February 3, 2011 - Secretary Hammond presents Governor Nikki Haley with her commission of office.