Learn the basics · South Carolina
3 Best LLC Services in South Carolina (2026), Compared
The gist
- Fee to file
- $110, charged once
- Upkeep each year
- No recurring filing
- Registered agent
- Yes, by law
- Our recommendations
- Mainstay Filing, South Carolina Registered Agent.co then SC Registered Agent.org
Services we would pick in South Carolina
Order and weights are explained on how we pick.1. Mainstay Filing: best for one invoice a year
$199 per year ($309 at signup including the state fee)
Mainstay Filing is where we would start in South Carolina. In short, its price stays at $199 a year at renewal and covers the formation and the registered agent.
Three years cost $200 more than South Carolina Registered Agent.co, and the extra pays for a provider that works in every state.
Includes
- Articles prepared and submitted
- Registered agent for the whole year
- Help applying for an EIN
- State fees without a markup
Points in its favor
- Takes care of the EIN application
- The price holds at $199
- One yearly price: $199
Where it falls short
- Renews $100 higher than South Carolina Registered Agent.co
- No report filing to add to the price
2. South Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for a modest first-year bill
Formation $199, agent renewal $99, state fee extra
South Carolina Registered Agent.co takes the second slot: year one costs $199 and each later year $99.
Includes
- Formation filing handled
- No agent charge in year one
Points in its favor
- $199 plus the state fee
- Includes a first year of agent service
- $99 annually after that
Where it falls short
- The EIN add-on is $99
3. SC Registered Agent.org: best for one-state companies
Formation $199, agent renewal $99, state fee extra
SC Registered Agent.org takes the third slot: year one costs $199 and each later year $99.
Its published prices are identical to South Carolina Registered Agent.co, so choosing between them is a close call.
Includes
- Formation filing handled
- No agent charge in year one
Points in its favor
- $99 annually after that
- Includes a first year of agent service
- $199 plus the state fee
Where it falls short
- The EIN add-on is $99
Numbers side by side
| # | Company | Year one | Renewal price | Three-year total | Included in the price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | articles prepared and submitted; registered agent for the whole year; Help applying for an EIN | Learn more at Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | South Carolina Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | formation filing handled; no agent charge in year one | Learn more at South Carolina Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | SC Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | formation filing handled; no agent charge in year one | Learn more at SC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Explanations
What is the full cost to form one?
$110 goes to the state, and $199 more if you hire a service in year one.
State fees for years one through three: $110. see scstatehouse.gov, October 2026
Which form do I file, and with whom?
The LLC comes into being when the South Carolina Secretary of State approves the Articles of Organization.
Legal basis: S.C. Code § 33-44-202. see scstatehouse.gov, October 2026
Does the state insist on a registered agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
A South Carolina resident, a South Carolina corporation, another LLC, or a corporation or company from another state authorized to do business in South Carolina.
see scstatehouse.gov, October 2026
What is due in later years?
Report fees: none.
Is it possible to file it myself?
Yes, and the cost is then the state's $110 over three years.
Services charge $397 to $597 over three years for that work.
Why is the first pick first?
How much work the price handles counts for 28%, and Mainstay Filing comes out ahead on it.
The two heaviest criteria are what three years cost (34%) and how much work the price handles (28%), with three lighter ones behind them.
South Carolina has no recurring report to bundle in, so its lead over South Carolina Registered Agent.co is small.
Checklist for South Carolina, with sources
| What it covers | Fee or rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Fee to file the LLC | $110 | see scstatehouse.gov, October 2026 |
| Registered agent | Yes, by law | see scstatehouse.gov, October 2026 |
| State fees across three years | $110 | Our total of the rows above |
More explanations
Does the price include the EIN application?
It is part of the Mainstay Filing price, while South Carolina Registered Agent.co bills $99 and SC Registered Agent.org bills $99.
What is the three-year price of each?
Over three years: Mainstay Filing ($597), South Carolina Registered Agent.co ($397), SC Registered Agent.org ($397) (service fees only).
Where do the numbers come from?
State fees come from South Carolina's official sources, cited by each figure. Service prices come from each company's own pricing page.
Does the law require a service?
No law demands one. A service is a convenience.
What comes due every year?
Report fees: none.
What is the best LLC service for South Carolina?
We would start with Mainstay Filing, then South Carolina Registered Agent.co and SC Registered Agent.org.
Official sources and price pages
- S.C via scstatehouse.gov, as of August 2026
- South Carolina service page from Mainstay Filing, prices as of November 13, 2026
- pricing page from South Carolina Registered Agent.co, prices as of November 13, 2026
- pricing page from SC Registered Agent.org, prices as of November 13, 2026