- Filing fee
- $125
- Ongoing report
- $0
- First-year gov. cost
- $125
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name South Carolina will accept
Must include Limited Liability Company, LLC, or an accepted variation.
Search existing South Carolina business names before you commit. South Carolina naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in South Carolina.
File the Articles of Organization
Submit it to the South Carolina Secretary of State through the official filing portal and pay $125. $110 base fee plus $15 electronic records access fee for online filing
Processing: online 1 to 2 business days (same or next day); by mail 3 to 5 business days plus mail time. Expedite: No separate paid expedited processing tier offered.
Write an operating agreement
Not legally required to be written or filed, but default rules apply if not implemented.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
South Carolina doesn't require a recurring LLC report, based on our latest check. South Carolina report deadlines.
Every South Carolina LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $125 | $110 base fee plus $15 electronic records access fee for online filing |
| None required | $0 | none, None |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $15 | $10 via mail, $15 online due to $5 electronic service fee |
| Amendment | $110 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $10 | |
| Certificate of Authority | $110 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Articles of Termination | $15 | |
| DBA / assumed name | UNCONFIRMED | UNCONFIRMED |
How South Carolina compares nationally
- South Carolina's filing fee of $125 is the 20th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- South Carolina's first-year government cost of $125 is the 24th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- South Carolina's yearly cost after that of $0 ties for the lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the South Carolina Secretary of State costs $125 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a South Carolina street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before South Carolina's own fees:
| Route | Year one with South Carolina fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $125 | $0 |
| Northwest | $164 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $125 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
No franchise or minimum tax on standard pass-through LLCs. Personal income tax has two brackets (1.99% on first $30,000, 5.21% above) with a custom standard deduction. Corporate income tax is flat 5.00%.
What's different about South Carolina
- No annual report or state maintenance fee for default LLCs.
- Personal income tax utilizes a custom South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction (SCIAD).
- Online filings incur electronic access and service fees.
More South Carolina LLC guides
South Carolina LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in South Carolina?
The South Carolina Secretary of State charges $125 to file the Articles of Organization. Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $125 in government fees (Online formation).
How long does it take to form an LLC in South Carolina?
Online: 1 to 2 business days (same or next day). By mail: 3 to 5 business days plus mail time. Expedited: No separate paid expedited processing tier offered.
Does a South Carolina LLC have to file an annual report?
South Carolina doesn't require a recurring report for LLCs, based on our latest check. No annual report for default LLCs taxed as partnerships or disregarded entities. Corporate taxed LLCs pay $25.
Can I be my own registered agent in South Carolina?
Usually, if you meet the requirements. Must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in South Carolina. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does South Carolina require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. South Carolina has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in South Carolina?
Not legally required to be written or filed, but default rules apply if not implemented.
What taxes does a South Carolina LLC pay to the state?
No franchise or minimum tax on standard pass-through LLCs. Personal income tax has two brackets (1.99% on first $30,000, 5.21% above) with a custom standard deduction. Corporate income tax is flat 5.00%.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: dba where, dba fee.