Updated 2026-04-30 · Verified against South Carolina Secretary of State
S.C. Code §33-44-108 establishes the registered agent requirement for entities formed or qualified in South Carolina. South Carolina requires that the agent’s address be a physical location within the state and that someone be available during ordinary business hours; a P.O. box alone does not qualify. The agent’s name and street address are filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State and become part of the public business record.
Formation of a South Carolina LLC involves filing the Articles of Organization with the South Carolina Secretary of State for $110, after which the entity must keep its registered agent information current and file an annual report ($0) no annual report required for LLCs taxed as partnerships. South Carolina does not require LLCs taxed as partnerships to file annual reports; LLCs taxed as corporations file Form CL-1 with the Department of Revenue.
| # | Service | Price/yr | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | privacy-focused customers |
| 2 | ZenBusiness | $199 | new businesses bundling formation |
| 3 | LegalZoom | $249 | customers wanting brand-name support |
| 4 | Mainstay Filing | $99 | balanced value |
South Carolina-specific option: South Carolina Registered Agent.co operates exclusively in South Carolina and specializes in same-state filings. Best for businesses that want a state-focused provider with local-only operations.
| Physical address required | Yes — must be a street address in South Carolina |
|---|---|
| P.O. box allowed | No |
| Business hours availability | Required during normal business hours |
| Resident requirement | Must be a South Carolina resident OR a business entity authorized to do business in South Carolina |
| Listed in public record | Yes — name and address are publicly searchable via South Carolina Secretary of State |
| Statute reference | S.C. Code §33-44-108 |
| Filing Type | Fee | Renewal | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC formation (Articles of Organization) | $110 | no annual report required for LLCs taxed as partnerships | $0 |
| Registered Agent change | $10 | — | — |
| Annual Report | $0 | no annual report required for LLCs taxed as partnerships | $0 |
Yes — if you are a South Carolina resident with a physical street address and are available during business hours.
Yes. South Carolina law requires every LLC to maintain a South Carolina-based registered agent regardless of where the owner lives.
The South Carolina Secretary of State can administratively dissolve your business after approximately 60 days of non-compliance.
Yes — file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the South Carolina Secretary of State for $10.
$50–$150 per year for commercial services; free if you self-serve.
Yes. The agent's name and address are searchable via the South Carolina Secretary of State business records.
Same-day with most commercial services; same-business-day filing if submitted online before the daily cutoff.
This page provides general information about South Carolina registered agent requirements, not legal advice. Filing fees and procedures may change; verify current details with the South Carolina Secretary of State before filing. We may receive compensation from services listed in our comparisons; this does not influence our editorial selections.