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South Carolina
Q&A · South Carolina
3 Best Registered Agents in South Carolina (2026) for You
Who should you hire in South Carolina for registered agents in 2026: we say South Carolina Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and SC Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), ranked best first. An agent costs $99 to $149 in year one and $297 to $447 over three years.
By the LLC Answered editorial team
Answers updated November 13, 2026
Our funding: LLC Answered is reader-supported. We may earn money when you buy through links on this page, and the companies we rank are our partners. Prices come from each company's own pages and official state sources.
Answer in four lines
Short reply
Is one required?
Yes, by law
Official term
Registered agent
What services charge
$99 to $149 annually
Who to hire
South Carolina Registered Agent.co, Mainstay Filing then SC Registered Agent.org
Who to hire in South Carolina
Ranked best first by the tests on our process page .
#1
Our answer: this one
1. South Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for LLCs that never leave the state
Costs $99 a year and renews for $99
First place: South Carolina Registered Agent.co, where a company that never leaves South Carolina pays $297 over three years.
Three years cost less here than at Mainstay Filing, and cost counts most.
What is bundled
An address in the state Legal mail scanned
Pluses
Wins against Mainstay Filing on yearly price Annual price $99, renewal price $99
#2
Coverage everywhere
2. Mainstay Filing: best for LLCs that may expand
Costs $149 a year and renews for $149
Mainstay Filing is number 2, because its fee does not vary by state: $149 a year, and $149 on renewal.
The three-year gap to South Carolina Registered Agent.co is $150, which explains the lower rank.
What is bundled
Office address inside the state Scans of three government mailings per year, free Works for corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits as well as LLCs
Pluses
Annual price $149, renewal price $149 Valid wherever the LLC registers
Downsides
Higher by $50 a year Report filing needs the formation package
#3
One-state pick
3. SC Registered Agent.org: best for another local choice
Costs $99 a year and renews for $99
In third spot, SC Registered Agent.org, as a company that never leaves South Carolina pays $297 over three years.
Price for price it ties South Carolina Registered Agent.co.
What is bundled
An address in the state Legal mail scanned
Pluses
Wins against Mainstay Filing on yearly price Annual price $99, renewal price $99
Compared in a table
# Company Start price Renews at 3-year cost What is covered
1
South Carolina Registered Agent.co $99 $99/yr $297 an address in the state; legal mail scanned
View South Carolina Registered Agent.co plans
Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2
Mainstay Filing $149 $149/yr $447 office address inside the state; scans of three government mailings per year, free; Works for corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits as well as LLCs
View Mainstay Filing plans
Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3
SC Registered Agent.org $99 $99/yr $297 an address in the state; legal mail scanned
View SC Registered Agent.org plans
Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Service fees only, from each company's prices on November 13, 2026. State fees are identical whichever you pick.
The questions, one by one
Is naming a registered agent a legal duty?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
The rule comes from S.C. Code § 33-44-108. scstatehouse.gov , last confirmed October 2026, official site
Can I pick anyone?
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.
An owner who qualifies can serve at no cost.
What is the price of agent service?
$99 to $149 a year with the services we would hire, or $297 to $447 across three years.
State fees do not move with your choice of agent.
What does an agent do for an LLC?
The agent signs for legal documents sent to the LLC in South Carolina.
What else is due annually?
South Carolina wants no report, so there is nothing to file.
What put the top pick on top?
South Carolina Registered Agent.co leads on three-year price, a 36% test.
65% of the score comes from three-year price and paperwork covered.
Three years with South Carolina Registered Agent.co cost $297, which is $150 less than Mainstay Filing.
Our method in full
What South Carolina requires
Requirement Reply Proof
Cost to file the LLC
$110 scstatehouse.gov , last confirmed October 2026, official site
Registered agent
Yes, by law scstatehouse.gov , last confirmed October 2026, official site
Paid to the state by year 3
$110 Rows above, added
The final row is a sum, not a state figure: filing fee, then years two and three of reports, then minimum tax where it applies.
Terms used above, defined
Registered agent The company's legal mailbox in the state: a person or business that receives court papers and state letters for it.
Service of process The formal delivery of a lawsuit or other court papers. An LLC's registered agent accepts them for it.
Also asked
Can I serve as agent myself?
Yes, if you meet the state's rule on who may serve and its address rule, both shown above.
What address does an agent need?
The address has to be a street address in South Carolina for the agent, stated in the articles. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
What does each charge over three years?
Three-year costs are South Carolina Registered Agent.co, $297; Mainstay Filing, $447; SC Registered Agent.org, $297
Are the fees official?
Fees set by the state come from South Carolina's own publications; what services charge comes from their published prices.
Is a service mandatory?
Not at all. Owners can file with the state directly; a service is there to save you the work and to act as agent.
Who is your first choice in South Carolina?
South Carolina Registered Agent.co, because one state, $99 a year, $99 once renewed. Then Mainstay Filing and SC Registered Agent.org.
Sources, prices and dates
On record: S.C, scstatehouse.gov , current as of August 2026
South Carolina Registered Agent.co, pricing page, price check November 13, 2026
Mainstay Filing, South Carolina service page, price check November 13, 2026
SC Registered Agent.org, pricing page, price check November 13, 2026