South Carolina Registered Agent.co takes the top spot because the South Carolina formation runs $199 above the state's fee, with the registered agent free for a year and $99 yearly to keep the agent.
The registered office is an in-state street address supplied by the plan, and any papers served on the company show up as scans in your online account.
It costs less than Mainstay Filing over three years, and cost is one of our two heaviest criteria.
In the price
- Formation prepared and filed
- Year one as your registered agent
Good
- An agent price of $99 from year two
- Files the LLC for $199 and the state fee
- First-year registered agent service is part of the deal
Watch for
- The EIN application is an extra charge ($99)
SC Registered Agent.org makes the list at number two because the South Carolina formation runs $199 above the state's fee, with the registered agent free for a year and $99 yearly to keep the agent.
The registered office is an in-state street address supplied by the plan, and any papers served on the company show up as scans in your online account.
We found no difference in price or features between South Carolina Registered Agent.co and SC Registered Agent.org; choose whichever you prefer.
In the price
- Formation prepared and filed
- Year one as your registered agent
Good
- The registered agent role is free for the first year
- Formation costs $199 before the state fee
- Keeps the agent for $99 a year after year one
Watch for
- The EIN application is an extra charge ($99)
Mainstay Filing makes the list at number three because for $199 it files the South Carolina paperwork and acts as registered agent for a year, and the EIN application is thrown in.
South Carolina has no yearly LLC report, so from year two the renewal pays for the registered agent only (year one also included the EIN application).
South Carolina Registered Agent.co undercuts it by $200 across three years, which leaves Mainstay Filing second on cost.
In the price
- The formation filing, submitted on your behalf
- Your registered agent for the full year
- EIN application handled
Good
- Renews at $199 with no add-ons
- EIN application is part of the package
- South Carolina's fee is added at cost
- A single $199 yearly price
Watch for
- The agent part costs $100 a year more than South Carolina Registered Agent.co's after year one
- South Carolina has no yearly report, so the bundle adds less
The 3 picks side by side
Filing Shortlist sets each score out of 10 itself, using the criteria on How we rank; no customer ratings feed in.
South Carolina LLC service pricing in 2026: first year, renewals, three-year total
Every price comes from the company's own pages as of November 12, 2026. The $110 South Carolina filing fee comes on top of each row and is left out of the totals.
What decided the order
On Filing Shortlist's shortlist, three-year price and what the price covers carry 28% each and renewal terms, fit for the state and price clarity share the other 44%. In South Carolina, three-year price made the difference.
South Carolina Registered Agent.co adds up to $397 over three years, which is $200 below Mainstay Filing. With no yearly LLC report in South Carolina, the bundle adds less, so the smaller renewal settled it.
Every criterion and weight is set out on How we rank.
Forming in South Carolina: filing fee and form
The Articles of Organization costs $110 to file with the South Carolina Secretary of State. Each service here adds that fee at cost to its own price.
Keeping the company in good order in South Carolina after formation
South Carolina has no yearly LLC report. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Common questions about South Carolina LLC services
What is the price of starting an LLC in South Carolina?
The state filing fee is $110, and service fees run $199.
Which document creates the LLC?
The Articles of Organization, submitted to the South Carolina Secretary of State.
Must a new company list a registered agent when it forms in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina wants a registered agent named at formation and kept on file afterwards, with a street address in the state.
What does the company have to file after forming in South Carolina?
Nothing recurring. South Carolina does not ask LLCs for a yearly report.
Is the EIN application part of the price?
With Mainstay Filing it is, inside the yearly price. For the EIN application, South Carolina Registered Agent.co and SC Registered Agent.org bill $99. The IRS issues EINs at no charge if you apply yourself.
Which service tops the South Carolina LLC shortlist?
South Carolina Registered Agent.co, because a $199 formation price over the state fee, then $99 a year for the agent.
Where the figures come from
- S.C. Code § 33-44-202 and § 33-44-203 (checked again August 2026)
- Pulled from South Carolina Registered Agent.co: pricing and service pages, November 12, 2026
- Pulled from SC Registered Agent.org: pricing and service pages, November 12, 2026
- Pulled from Mainstay Filing: South Carolina service page, November 12, 2026