What it means · South Carolina
3 Best Registered Agents in South Carolina (2026), Compared
The essentials
- Do you have to name one?
- Yes, by law
- Name in state law
- Registered agent
- Service pricing
- $99 to $149 annually
- Who we recommend
- Mainstay Filing, SC Registered Agent.org then South Carolina Registered Agent.co
The South Carolina shortlist
Prices come from each company's own pricing page. The ranking is explained on how we pick.1. Mainstay Filing: best for one price in any state
$149 a year, then $149 at renewal
The reason Mainstay Filing leads here is that $149 a year is its price in this state, and it does not change anywhere else.
Three years cost $150 more than SC Registered Agent.org, and the extra pays for a provider that works in every state.
Includes
- An in-state street address
- Three government mailings a year scanned at no charge
- Works for LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits
Points in its favor
- Usable wherever the LLC registers
- $149 a year, unchanged at renewal
Where it falls short
- Pricier by $50 per year
- Report filing requires the formation package
2. SC Registered Agent.org: best for a modest yearly fee
$99 a year, then $99 at renewal
SC Registered Agent.org ranks second. In short, its agent service is $99 a year and includes a street address on file.
Includes
- An in-state office address
- Document scans in your account
Points in its favor
- A lower annual price than Mainstay Filing
- $99 a year, with no change at renewal
Where it falls short
- Covers South Carolina only
3. South Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for local support
$99 a year, then $99 at renewal
South Carolina Registered Agent.co ranks third. In short, its agent service is $99 a year and includes a street address on file.
It charges exactly what SC Registered Agent.org charges; either would serve you well.
Includes
- An in-state office address
- Document scans in your account
Points in its favor
- A lower annual price than Mainstay Filing
- $99 a year, with no change at renewal
Where it falls short
- Covers South Carolina only
How they stack up
| # | Provider | First-year price | Renewal price | Over three years | Covers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | An in-state street address; three government mailings a year scanned at no charge; Works for LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits | Check Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | SC Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | An in-state office address; document scans in your account | Check SC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | South Carolina Registered Agent.co | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | An in-state office address; document scans in your account | Check South Carolina Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
What owners want to know
Does the law insist on a registered agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Read the law: S.C. Code § 33-44-108. see scstatehouse.gov, October 2026
Who qualifies as an agent?
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.
If you meet the rule, you may name yourself and avoid paying an agent.
How much does an agent charge?
Budget $99 to $149 each year, $297 to $447 for three years.
Whichever agent you choose, the state charges the same.
What does an agent do for the LLC?
It serves as the LLC's address in South Carolina for court papers and state letters.
If papers arrive and nobody takes them, a case could proceed without you. What does service of process mean?
What does the LLC owe the state every year?
There is no report to file and no report fee.
How did you order the services?
The deciding factor is how much work the price handles (28% of the weight), where Mainstay Filing is strongest.
Our weighting leans on what three years cost first and how much work the price handles second, then three smaller factors.
Coverage settled it: all fifty states against one.
South Carolina requirements checklist
| Requirement | Detail | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of filing | $110 | see scstatehouse.gov, October 2026 |
| Registered agent | Yes, by law | see scstatehouse.gov, October 2026 |
| What the state collects in three years | $110 | Computed from the lines above |
Further questions
Can I serve as the agent myself?
Yes, provided you meet the state's rule. Many owners still hire a service to keep their address private.
What counts as an acceptable address?
The address has to be a street address in South Carolina for the agent, stated in the articles. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
What is the three-year price of each?
Mainstay Filing: $447 | SC Registered Agent.org: $297 | South Carolina Registered Agent.co: $297
How do you know these fees?
Each state fee links to its official source, and each service price comes from the company's website.
Is a service required?
Not required. Services charge to do the paperwork for you.
Which registered agent do you recommend in South Carolina?
Mainstay Filing is on top because the $149 yearly price is identical across states; SC Registered Agent.org and South Carolina Registered Agent.co follow.
Where the facts come from
- August 2026 confirmation of S.C at scstatehouse.gov
- Prices taken from the Mainstay Filing South Carolina service page on November 13, 2026
- Prices taken from the SC Registered Agent.org pricing page on November 13, 2026
- Prices taken from the South Carolina Registered Agent.co pricing page on November 13, 2026