South Carolina LLC Cost

The minimum South Carolina LLC cost is $110, which covers the filing fee for the Articles of Organization.

However, the total cost of establishing a South Carolina LLC can vary based on your business needs and preferences.

In our South Carolina LLC Cost article, we provide a detailed overview of the costs associated with starting and maintaining an LLC in the state.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

How Much Does a South Carolina LLC Cost

Below is a summary of the primary requirements and associated fees for forming a South Carolina LLC.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Articles of Organization	$110-$150+
Registered Agent	$0-$130+
LLC Name	$0-$34.50

South Carolina LLC Filing Fee ($110-$150+)

To legally form an LLC in South Carolina, you must submit the right formation documents to the Secretary of State. 

For domestic entities (i.e., LLCs operating with SC) this is the Articles of Organization, while foreign entities (i.e., LLCs operating outside of SC) need to file a Certificate of Authority to Transact Business instead.

The filing fee for submitting these documents is $110 by mail or $125 online. Additionally, if your LLC is taxed as an S-Corp or C-Corp, you'll need to file an Initial Annual Report of Corporations (Form CL-1) within 60 days of submitting your formation documents, which incurs an additional $25 fee.

If you opt to use an LLC formation service, your total cost will be slightly higher as it will include a small service fee in addition to the state fee(s). 

LLC formation services are generally around $29, but the price can range significantly depending on the company you work with (and the additional features you want).  

Have a look at our in-depth review of the best and most affordable LLC Formation Services in 2024. 

South Carolina Registered Agent ($0+)

As part of the LLC formation process, you’ll need to appoint a registered agent. This individual or entity in South Carolina will accept legal documents and government correspondence on behalf of your LLC.

While you can act as your own registered agent at no cost, many business owners prefer to hire a professional service to avoid penalties for non-compliance, as well as to keep their personal information private.

The cost for registered agent services in South Carolina typically starts at around $130 per year. However, many LLC formation services offer a free registered agent service for the first year post formation.

South Carolina LLC Name ($0-$34.50)

While registering a name itself is free, there are two costs that can be involved with the overall process.

Reserving a Name

If you’ve chosen a name but aren’t ready to form your LLC yet, you can reserve it for 120 days by filing an Application to Reserve a Limited Liability Company Name with the Secretary of State. This costs $25 by mail or $32.50 online.

Before attempting to reserve a name, you should perform a Business Name Search in order to verify that it’s actually available. This can save you both time and money.

Similarly, you will want to make sure that your prospective name’s corresponding domain is not already being used by another business — you will need this for your business’s URL. 

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you plan to operate your business under a different name, you’ll need to register a DBA (Doing Business As) name. 

In South Carolina, LLCs cannot register DBA names at the state level; these must be registered locally, usually as part of a local business license application process.

This means that the registration is only valid within the specific locality where it's registered and will not be recognized statewide.

Note: Foreign LLCs with a legal name already in use in South Carolina can register a fictitious name that’s recognized across the entire state.

Optional South Carolina LLC Formation Costs

In addition to the standard fees, there are a few additional costs that you might need to pay depending on your unique circumstances. 

South Carolina LLC Operating Agreement 

While not legally required, it’s advisable for South Carolina LLCs to have an operating agreement. This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of LLC members or managers and helps prevent disputes.

You can create an operating agreement yourself at no cost, or hire an online service or attorney, typically costing several hundred dollars. 

Local Business Licenses

Your LLC may need local business licenses depending on its location and activities. For example, in Charleston, you’ll need to pay for an annual business license, with fees ranging from a flat $32 to $3.90 per $1,000 of your LLC’s income.

This situation is typical in most South Carolina municipalities, with business licenses generally costing anywhere from $75 to several hundred dollars. 

For a more accurate estimate, you will need to contact your local county clerk’s office; you can find your office’s contact information by using the South Carolina Municipal Online Directory. 

Certificate of Existence

A Certificate of Existence is often required to open a business bank account or secure loans. This document verifies that your LLC is legally registered and authorized to do business in South Carolina.

You can request a Certificate of Existence from the South Carolina Secretary of State by mail ($10) or online ($15). 

Note: For foreign LLCs, this document is known as a Certificate of Authorization and costs the same amount.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a South Carolina LLC

Even though South Carolina’s annual fees are extremely competitive in comparison to other states, there are a few potential ongoing costs that you will need to keep in mind. 

Annual Report

If your LLC is taxed as a corporation, you must file Form CL-1 with the Secretary of State within 60 days of formation, paying a $25 fee. 

Additionally, you’ll need to file either SC1120 or SC1120S annually, paying a license fee based on your LLC’s capital.

Note: This does not apply to LLCs with a default tax structure (i.e., those taxes as disregarded entities). 

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you choose to use a professional registered agent to handle your legal documents, you’ll need to pay an annual fee for their services. 

This generally costs between $125 and $300, though it can depend on both the provider you choose and the features you want (e.g., forwarding service, business phone number, etc.). 

Ready to Get Started?

Have a look at our LLC South Carolina Guide (DIY Approach)

Let Northwest Registered Agent handle it for you ($29 + State Fees) 

South Carolina LLC vs Other States

South Carolina is a very affordable state to start and maintain an LLC — especially if you choose to stick with the default tax structure. 

This is because, while the $110 setup fee is standard, the lack of ongoing maintenance fees makes it a very budget-friendly option.

Ultimately, the best state to form your LLC is usually where you plan to operate your business from. This simplifies taxation and compliance, as you’ll only need to adhere to one state’s laws.