LLC Formation Compared › South Carolina
LLC formation services compared in South Carolina (2026)
The South Carolina filing fee is $110. With a registered agent, Mainstay Filing (our best overall pick) comes to $309 in year 1; the other four services range from $110 to $359.
- Official sources, checked October 20, 2026
- Prices verified October 2026
Year-1 cost of each service in South Carolina
| Service | First-year price (with agent) | Year-1 total |
|---|---|---|
| Bizee | $0 Basic package, agent free the first year | $110 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 package, agent included the first year | $149 |
| ZenBusiness | $0 Starter package plus $99 agent | $209 |
| Mainstay Filing | Included | $309 |
| LegalZoom | $0 Basic package plus $249 agent | $359 |
South Carolina filing details
- State filing fee
- $110
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Filed with
- South Carolina Secretary of State
- Yearly state report
- None with the state
- Registered agent
- Required. 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.
Mainstay Filing
$199 + $110 state fee = $309 in year 1
- LLC formation, prepared and filed
- Registered agent, all year
- EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
- Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
- Compliance reminders and stored documents
Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
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South Carolina questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in South Carolina with a service?
In year 1, from $110 (Bizee) to $359 (LegalZoom), with a registered agent and South Carolina’s $110 filing fee included. Mainstay Filing is $309.
What does South Carolina charge to file an LLC?
$110, paid to the South Carolina Secretary of State for the Articles of Organization. Every service on this page adds that fee on top of its own price.
Do I need a registered agent for a South Carolina LLC?
Yes. 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.
Is the cheapest first year the cheapest LLC?
Not always. Bizee is lowest in year 1, but the agent price changes after the first year for Bizee, Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness, while Mainstay Filing stays at $199.
Sources
- S.C. Code § 33-44-202 (organization) and § 33-44-203 (articles of organization); fee set by § 33-44-1204(a)(1) (multira state research spine): www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t33c044.php, checked August 12, 2026
- South Carolina Secretary of State for formation (multira state research spine): dor.sc.gov/tax-index/business-income-taxes/corporate/c-corporation, checked August 12, 2026
- South Carolina Secretary of State for formation (multira state research spine): dor.sc.gov/business-income-taxes/corporate/s-corporation, checked August 12, 2026
- South Carolina yearly filing: Annual report, official source read 2026-10-01: dor.sc.gov/business-income-taxes/corporate/corporate-faqs, checked October 1, 2026
Provider prices: each company’s own pages, checked October 2026 (see sources and method).