Comparison of the top registered agent services for South Carolina LLCs and corporations · Updated 2026-04-30
For a South Carolina business, choosing a registered agent involves weighing annual cost against privacy, document handling speed, and compliance reminders. The statute (S.C. Code §33-44-108) requires a physical South Carolina address staffed during business hours, with the agent’s information filed publicly with the South Carolina Secretary of State. Below, we rank the four registered agent services we evaluated for South Carolina-based LLCs and corporations in 2026.
Northwest Registered Agent
Physical-address-only operations; mail forwarding; same-day filing.
ZenBusiness
Pairs RA with LLC formation packages.
LegalZoom
Largest brand; phone-based support; bundled legal services.
Mid-tier pricing with full feature parity; suitable for businesses focused on cost-efficiency.
South Carolina-specific option: South Carolina Registered Agent.co operates exclusively in South Carolina and specializes in same-state filings. Best for businesses that want a state-focused provider with local-only operations.
| Filing | Cost | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $110 | no annual report required for LLCs taxed as partnerships |
| Annual Report | $0 | no annual report required for LLCs taxed as partnerships |
| Change of Registered Agent | $10 | — |
Source: South Carolina Secretary of State · Statute reference S.C. Code §33-44-108
For most South Carolina LLCs, Northwest Registered Agent ranks first on privacy and Mainstay Filing offers the best value at $99/year. State-specific options like South Carolina Registered Agent.co specialize in same-state filings.
Commercial services range $50–$250 per year. Mainstay Filing is $99/yr; Northwest is $125/yr; ZenBusiness is $199/yr; LegalZoom is $249/yr.
Yes. File a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the South Carolina Secretary of State for $10. Most commercial services handle the change paperwork for you.
National services like Mainstay Filing and Northwest operate across all 50 states with consistent pricing and online dashboards. State-specific providers (like South Carolina Registered Agent.co) focus exclusively on one state and often handle same-state-only filings faster.
Yes — under S.C. Code §33-44-108, every South Carolina LLC must designate and maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in South Carolina.
RA Ratings independently reviews registered agent services. We may earn a commission from sponsored links; this does not affect rankings or editorial selection. Verify all filing fees with the South Carolina Secretary of State before submitting paperwork.