3 Best Registered Agents in South Carolina (2026): Prices Tracked
Our 2026 watchlist puts Mainstay Filing ($149/yr), SC Registered Agent.org ($99/yr) and South Carolina Registered Agent.co ($99/yr) at the top for registered agents in South Carolina, listed in that order. Year one costs $99 to $149 among these agents, and three years cost $297 to $447.
Tracked by the Filing Price Watch editorial team
Ordered by:
Best value first, using our five measures
The short version
Does the law call for one?Yesscstatehouse.gov (pulled October 2026, noted here)
Year-one prices$99 to $149Annual price
Total after 3 years$297 to $447Year one and both renewals
Break-evenNeverNo service overtakes another
South Carolina: best value first
Prices come from each company's own pricing. Naming a different agent does not change what the state collects.
#Ordered byPrice in year 1Price at renewalThree-year spend
1
Best value
1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies that may grow into other states
Starts at $149; renews at $149
Price in year 1$149
Price at renewal$149/yr
Three-year spend$447
Mainstay Filing comes out on top. A flat $149 each year, no matter which state applies.
You would save $150 over three years with SC Registered Agent.org and keep more filings on your own plate.
Price covers
A physical address on record
Up to three government mailings a year scanned for you at no charge
Covers LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits
Holds up
$149 every year
Reach across fifty states
Weak spots
$50 higher per year
Does not file the yearly report
2
Local pick
2. SC Registered Agent.org: best for the lowest three-year spend
Starts at $99; renews at $99
Price in year 1$99
Price at renewal$99/yr
Three-year spend$297
SC Registered Agent.org places second. An agent for one state at $99 a year.
Price covers
A physical in-state office
Papers served on the LLC scanned to your account
Holds up
$99 annually with no increase
Costs less per year than Mainstay Filing
Weak spots
No help outside the state
3
Local pick
3. South Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for a local backup
Starts at $99; renews at $99
Price in year 1$99
Price at renewal$99/yr
Three-year spend$297
South Carolina Registered Agent.co places third. An agent for one state at $99 a year.
Both the first-year and renewal prices equal SC Registered Agent.org's.
Reports in years two and three, the filing itself and any minimum tax are what make up the three-year state figure here. Costs the state does not put a number on are described, never added.
Why this order for South Carolina
Filings covered by the price gave Mainstay Filing the lead. It makes up 29% of the order, and tracked three-year cost, renewal movement, crossover year and price visibility cover the remainder.
SC Registered Agent.org is less expensive here, but working in all fifty states carried more weight.
South Carolina registered agent requirements, as written by the state (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. See 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.
If you qualify, you can list yourself and pay no agent fee, and state charges do not change. The services above charge $99 to $149 a year for a South Carolina address and someone to take legal papers.
Short answers
How much does a South Carolina registered agent cost per year?
These agents charge $99 to $149 each year.
What do three years of agent service cost?
Three years of service run $297 to $447.
Is a registered agent required for a South Carolina LLC?
Yes, it does. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Can the owner serve as the registered agent?
You can, provided you meet both the address and eligibility rules.
What does the state charge the LLC each year?
No report fee at all.
In what year does one service become pricier than another?
They do not cross within ten years, so no service overtakes another.
Which registered agent is the best value in South Carolina?
Mainstay Filing wins on filings covered by the price, followed by SC Registered Agent.org and South Carolina Registered Agent.co.