3 Best Registered Agents in South Carolina (2026): Who to Ask First
Wondering about registered agents in South Carolina, for 2026 our order is Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), SC Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and South Carolina Registered Agent.co ($99 a year). An agent costs $99 to $149 in the first year and $297 to $447 across three years.
Answered by the Ask About LLC editorial team ·
Four quick answers
Is an agent required?
Yes, name one
What the law calls it
Registered agent
What do agents charge?
$99 to $149 a year
Who to ask
Mainstay Filing, SC Registered Agent.org then South Carolina Registered Agent.co
Who should you ask in South Carolina?
The order follows our five questions: three-year cost first, then how much the price covers.
1Ask this one first
1. Mainstay Filing: best for one price in any state
Annual price $149, renewal price $149
Why Mainstay Filing at the top? It costs $149 a year with no change by state, and renews at $149.
Is it the smallest bill? No: SC Registered Agent.org is $150 less over three years, but it works in South Carolina only.
What the price covers
An address in the state
Three official mailings scanned each year for free
Also handles corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits
Good news
Flat $149 a year, no change at renewal
One price in all fifty states
The catch
Costs $50 more per year than SC Registered Agent.org
Service fees only, from each company's prices on November 13, 2026. State fees are the same whichever you pick.
What owners want to know
Do I have to name a registered agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
The law behind it: S.C. Code § 33-44-108. scstatehouse.gov, read in October 2026 for this answer
Who is allowed to be the agent?
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.
If you meet the rule, name yourself and pay no agent fee.
How much does an agent cost?
Our picks charge $99 to $149 annually, and three years total $297 to $447.
Your choice of agent does not change any state fee.
Why does the state want an agent?
The agent signs for lawsuits and state mail addressed to the LLC, using a street address in South Carolina.
How was the bottom line figured? Add the filing fee, the next two reports and the minimum tax if the state has one. Anything with no fixed price, a newspaper notice for instance, is described above and kept out of the sum.
Questions people also ask
Can I be my own agent?
Yes, provided you meet the state's rules on who may serve and on the address, both laid out above.
Which addresses does the state accept?
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 do the picks cost over three years?
Mainstay Filing comes to $447; SC Registered Agent.org comes to $297; South Carolina Registered Agent.co comes to $297
Where do these numbers come from?
State fees come from South Carolina's official documents, and service fees come from each company's own pricing page. Both carry dates on this page.
Does the law require a service?
Not at all. The state takes filings from owners directly. A service just saves you time, and it can double as your agent.
Who should I ask first about a registered agent in South Carolina?
Mainstay Filing, because a single account at $149 a year works in whichever state the LLC registers. After that, SC Registered Agent.org and South Carolina Registered Agent.co.
Sources for this answer
Ask-about note for S.C: the state publishes it at scstatehouse.gov, confirmed August 2026, so you can look it up yourself
Mainstay Filing South Carolina service page, read November 13, 2026
SC Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026
South Carolina Registered Agent.co pricing page, read November 13, 2026