Jump to the results
Formation CalcRun the numbers on LLC formation, agents and foreign registration.

Registered agent cost calculators + South Carolina

3 Best Registered Agents in South Carolina (2026): Cost Calculator

Run for 2026, the registered agents in South Carolina that come out best are SC Registered Agent.org ($99/yr), South Carolina Registered Agent.co ($99/yr) and Mainstay Filing ($149/yr), in that order. One agent year costs $99 to $149; three years come out to $297 to $447.
Calculated by the Formation Calc editorial team

Result order: Formula: 41% cost, 27% coverage, three lesser terms. Details

Calculator summary

Agent requirementYesscstatehouse.gov {input read October 2026, shown in full}
Opening results$99 to $149One year of agent service
Three-year outputs$297 to $447Opening input plus two more
CrossoverNeverOrder holds for ten years

South Carolina ranking

Service prices only. Whichever agent you name, the state collects the same.
1

1. SC Registered Agent.org: best for owners watching every dollar

Best value
Year-1 input$99
Renewal input$99/yr
Result at year 3$297
$99 in year one, then $99 in each year after

Top result: SC Registered Agent.org. $99 a year, then $99, for an LLC that remains in a single state.

A lower three-year result than Mainstay Filing puts it first, since cost weighs most.

Inputs covered

  • An address in the state on record
  • Web copies of legal papers

Adds up well

  • $99 annually, no increase
  • Undercuts Mainstay Filing every year

Adds up badly

  • No help outside the state
2

2. South Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for keeping the agent in state

One-state service
Year-1 input$99
Renewal input$99/yr
Result at year 3$297
$99 in year one, then $99 in each year after

Next in the results, South Carolina Registered Agent.co: $99 a year, then $99, for an LLC that remains in a single state.

Its inputs match SC Registered Agent.org's exactly.

Inputs covered

  • An address in the state on record
  • Web copies of legal papers

Adds up well

  • Undercuts Mainstay Filing every year
  • $99 annually, no increase

Adds up badly

  • No help outside the state
3

3. Mainstay Filing: best for a nationwide agent

Full package
Year-1 input$149
Renewal input$149/yr
Result at year 3$447
$149 in year one, then $149 in each year after

Result 3: Mainstay Filing. The input stays $149 a year no matter where the company registers next.

At year three it falls $150 behind SC Registered Agent.org.

Inputs covered

  • An office address inside the state
  • Up to three government mailings a year, scanned free
  • Covers LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits

Adds up well

  • One account for any state
  • $149 a year, no change at renewal

Adds up badly

  • Adds $50 extra annually
  • Does not file the yearly report

Year-by-year totals

RankServiceResult, year 1Result, year 2Result, year 3Result, year 5
1SC Registered Agent.org$99$198$297$495Open SC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2South Carolina Registered Agent.co$99$198$297$495Open South Carolina Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Mainstay Filing$149$298$447$745Open Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices entered November 13, 2026. Every column adds a renewal. No break-even appears within ten years.

Break-even test

Change the years input to get new results.
At 3 years, the results are SC Registered Agent.org $297, South Carolina Registered Agent.co $297, Mainstay Filing $447. Lowest at that point: SC Registered Agent.org.

South Carolina fee list

InputAmountSource
Formation charge$110scstatehouse.gov {input read October 2026, shown in full}
State fees summed, years 1 to 3$110Our sum
State result = filing fee + the two later reports + any minimum tax. Open-ended costs get a mention but no number.

The working behind South Carolina

Calculated three-year cost put SC Registered Agent.org first. That term is 41% of the formula, and filing work in the price, renewal change, break-even year and input clarity make up the remainder.

SC Registered Agent.org adds up to $297 by year three, $150 below Mainstay Filing.

The South Carolina registered agent rule as the state states it (South Carolina Secretary of State)

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. Statute: S.C. Code § 33-44-108.

The address has to be a street address in South Carolina for the agent, stated in the articles. P.O. boxes are not accepted.

As written: scstatehouse.gov {input read October 2026, shown in full}

The no-service result

A qualifying owner pays no extra to skip a service. The prices above, $99 to $149 a year, buy convenience.

South Carolina cost questions

What does a South Carolina registered agent charge per year?

Plan on $99 to $149 a year.

What do three years of agent service cost?

Service results after three years: $297 to $447.

Is a registered agent a must for a South Carolina LLC?

Yes, it does. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Can the owner be the registered agent?

If you qualify, yes; the requirements section has the rules.

What does the state charge the LLC each year?

South Carolina wants no yearly report.

When does one service pass another in total cost?

The results do not cross in the first ten years.

Which registered agent calculates best in South Carolina?

SC Registered Agent.org calculates best, followed by South Carolina Registered Agent.co and Mainstay Filing.

More calculators

Input sources

  1. S.C is entered from scstatehouse.gov (August 2026).
  2. Input from SC Registered Agent.org: pricing page (November 13, 2026)
  3. Input from South Carolina Registered Agent.co: pricing page (November 13, 2026)
  4. Input from Mainstay Filing: South Carolina service page (November 13, 2026)