South Carolina registered agents also have to do mail forwarding. This ensures that you are up-to-date on important information and can meet compliance deadlines (for annual reports).

Another term for a South Carolina registered agent is statutory agency and resident agent. If you come across these terms in your research or on your formation documents, remember that they all have the same meaning.

Companies that are registered as business entities must designate and keep a resident agent, statutory agent, or registered agent. If your business is located in more than one state, you must have a registered agent for each of those states.

You can either designate someone to act as your registered agent at these locations or hire a registered agent service. These rules are applicable to all US states.

When Do You Appoint a South Carolina Registered Agent?

This depends on what type of business you’re starting, but with either a corporation or an LLC, you’ll need to designate your registered agent when you form your company.

When forming an LLC in South Carolina, you’ll be prompted to list your initial registered agent when completing the Article of Organization. For formations of a corporation, you’ll establish your registered agent when completing the Articles of Incorporation document.

In either case, you’ll need to include the signature of the designated registered agent on the formation document as proof of consent.

How Do You Change a South Carolina Registered Agent?

If you would like to change your registered agent for any reason, the process is pretty simple.

Those wishing to change their South Carolina registered agent must simply complete a Notice of Change and submit it to the Secretary of State. Which Notice of Change you complete will depend on your business type: domestic corporations are required to fill out the Notice of Change of Registered Office or Agent for Corporations. For LLCs, you’ll need to complete the Notice of Change of Designated Office, Agent for Service of Process, or Address of Agent for LLC.

In some cases, either of the forms may be completed online using South Carolina Business One Stop.

What is the purpose of a registered agent?

You might be wondering if you could set up a PO Box and have it checked frequently without the need to register an agent in South Carolina. This is not an option. You can’t use a PO Box as your registered agent because you must have a physical address. These companies offer many services, including service of process and receiving mail.

Compliance

Your South Carolina registered agent will ensure that your company meets all compliance filing deadlines set by the South Carolina Secretary Of State. Your registered agent service will send compliance notifications to you for annual reports and your annual franchise taxes report.

Your registered agent in South Carolina acts as a mediator between you and the government agencies. Good agents can help you meet all your legal compliance obligations, and meet deadlines quickly. You don’t need to be concerned about missing important deadlines and not receiving notifications regarding legal issues when you have a professional registered agent.

Management of important documents

If you are a new business owner who runs your business from home, or have no street address, the requirement of a physical address to register agents may be a problem. The exemption of PO boxes can make it even more difficult. Your address on the formation documents will be where mail, service of process, and other official documents will go.

Online document management portals are a common feature of many registered agent services. They scan, upload and then provide an online account that allows you to access your documents quickly and easily.

Registered Agent Requirements

These are the requirements South Carolina registered agents and South Carolina registered agent services must meet.

• You can choose who you want to designate. South Carolina allows you to name anyone as your registered agent. This includes your friend, family member, employee or lawyer. Many South Carolina businesses prefer to use registered agent services over a registered agent because they know that your registered agent must be available during business hours in order to receive mail or serve process on your limited liability business.
• Age 18+ South Carolina must have at least 18-year-old registered agents.
• Physical address. South Carolina Secretary of State requires that the address of your registered agent must be a physical street address within South Carolina.
• State laws. Many states have their own laws regarding registered agents. It’s worth reading about the South Carolina Secretary Of State laws and regulations.

What happens if my business does not have a registered agent?

South Carolina registered agents must be appointed if your company is registered in South Carolina as a business entity. This includes all corporations, sole proprietorships, and South Carolina LLCs. This applies to all businesses, not just South Carolina.

It’s possible to miss important legal notices if you don’t name a registered agent in South Carolina, or if you don’t list the address of your registered agent on your formation documents.

A process server might try to deliver the service to the Secretary-of-State if they are unable to deliver the process to your company. This could cause serious problems for your company. Without your consent, the Secretary of State may take legal action against you company. This could lead to a default judgment against you business.

Your company’s good standing could be affected if you fail to register a South Carolina agent or don’t comply with the legal compliance requirements. This status could prevent you from expanding to other states, or conducting business in South Carolina. You may not be eligible for business loans.

Immediate dissolution is one of the worst things that can happen for an LLC that has lost its good standing. A dissolution of an LLC means that it can no longer use the business name in the state. Other businesses may be able to use the name for their own business. Even if you quickly resolve the issue that caused your company to dissolve, your business name could be lost and it may not be reclaimed.

After an LLC is dissolved, there are additional risks associated with operating a business. The business owners are legally responsible for any company that doesn’t have an LLC status. In the event that the company is sued, the LLC members’ personal assets and the business owners are at risk.

These consequences aren’t just for LLCs. If a corporation, sole proprietorship, or other business entity doesn’t have a registered agent, they can suffer many of the same consequences.

Can I be my own registered agent?

You can be your own registered agent in any US state. There is no law to prevent you from doing so. You can be your own South Carolina agent. Before you rush to make the decision to become your own South Carolina registered agent, it is important that you understand the pros and cons.

The cons of being your own registered agent

Liability

One of the biggest disadvantages of being your own agent over hiring a registered agent is the severe consequences of missing a process. A default judgment against your business could result if you fail to provide a service of procedure for your company. You won’t be able to defend your company in court because you won’t know about the legal proceedings being brought against you. You will be obliged to comply with any ruling made against your company.

Privacy is not protected

If your business does not have a street address, you will be required to list your private address in the public record. This is another disadvantage of having your own registered agent. You should not list your name as your registered agent on public records. This is a huge violation of privacy and can lead to identity theft or cyber-attacks.

Time

Being your own agent has its drawbacks. Being a registered agent in South Carolina is time-consuming. South Carolina registered agents must be available during normal business hours to receive correspondence and official mail for their business. It may prove difficult or impossible for you to do business in South Carolina and fulfill the duties of South Carolina registered agents depending on your industry.

The benefits of being your own registered agent

The only positive thing about being your own registered agent is that you don’t have pay for registered agent services. Despite knowing the risks involved in being your own registered agent it may not seem appealing.

Do I need a registered agent service?

A professional registered agent is a service that many people choose to use for a variety of reasons.

• Compliance notifications will be sent to you, which will ensure that your business is in good standing and can legally operate in the state.
• You can reduce the risk of being sued and losing your company’s good standing status by having someone from your registered agent service available during business hours to collect mail and serve process on your behalf.
• You can work and manage your business without having to be a registered agent.
• Companies that have multiple locations won’t need to do a miracle to get to both.
• For convenience and time management, businesses that operate beyond normal business hours should employ a registered agent.
• If you don’t have a street address or a PO box, a registered agent service will be the best option to fulfill your registered agent requirements. A registered agent service allows you to list your registered agent’s address and name on the public records, instead of your own.
• Your personal information will be secured when you use a registered agent to represent you. Instead of listing your information, you list the name and address of a registered agent on your formation documents.
• Many people are shocked at how much junk mail companies actually receive. You will have to manage it yourself if you are your own agent and not hire a registered agent. This hassle is eliminated by registered agent services.
• Professional registered agent service providers may offer premium services. These services include specialty insurance or coverage for state fees that you pay when you switch to their services.
• Numerous professional registered agents offer business formation services.

You can choose to use a registered agent service or do your own registered agent duties. However, I always recommend that new businesses use a registered agent service.

What is the best registered agent service?

When looking for the best registered agent services, there are many things you need to consider. These are some of the factors you need to consider when looking for the best registered agent services for your company.

Service Features

If the registered agent you choose doesn’t offer the services you need, it is not a good idea. Some agents provide compliance alerts, while others only offer a calendar with dates that are easily lost or forgotten. While some providers scan all mail sent to your company, others only scan the legal documents and upload them.

Value

The services provided by the company and the cost it charges to them is a good indicator of the quality of registered agent service. You should avoid “budget agents.” These people lure customers with low sign-up fees of $39-$59 and then charge exorbitant fees for the necessary services such as compliance alerts or online document management portals. These services should be avoided.

Sign up in minutes

Register agent providers can take up to a year or more of your time and require you to spend a lot of time filling out paperwork. Instead, you should look for a company with an automated and simple sign-up process.

Friendly Interface

It is important that your registered agent system for your company is easy to use. Many companies have outdated systems with confusing layouts and complex navigation systems. Avoid companies with complicated systems and opt for one that is simple to use.

Customer Service

Although your registered agent provider may be great and offer a wide range of services, you will still encounter technical problems or have questions about the service. Good customer service is essential when you are dealing with business services that can make or break your company.

These factors were combined with a four-stage investigation process that I used to determine Northwest Registered Agent as the best registered agent in America. You can read my top registered agent services to learn more about registered agents and how to select the right service for your company.

Conclusion

There is a lot to learn when you start a business. Business owners can have their work made easier by using registered agent services.

South Carolina Registered Agent FAQs

What is the difference between a commercial and a noncommercial registered agent?

In your research, you’ll most likely come across the term “commercial register agent”. It is easy to tell the difference between a commercially registered agent and a noncommercial registered agent. A commercial registered agent has filed a statement as a commercial agent with the appropriate state government agencies.

Some states require that all registered agent services must register as commercial registered agents. The Model Registered Agents Act was an attempt by the American Bar Association to create a uniform set of regulations for registered agent services across the country. It made the distinction between noncommercial and commercial registered agents.

A noncommercial registered agent is any person or company (in the case that state laws do not require registered agent services be registered as commercial agents), that hasn’t been registered as a commercial registered agent.

How do I change the registered agent for my LLC?

You’ve come to this page because your registered agent is not working for you and you are wondering if you really need one. As long as your business is properly registered, you will be able to change your registered agent. It’s easy to update your South Carolina registered agent.

You only need to fill out and submit the Notice of Change in Registered Agent Information form to the Secretary of State. You may also need to submit a signed consent form for registered agents with your agent’s signature in some states along with your Change of Registered Agent Information. To submit the document, you will also need to pay a filing fee.

What is the Cost of a Registered Agent?

The cost of a registered agent depends on the services you need and the provider you choose. A registered agent typically costs $39-$299 per year in each state (plus any state fees). You can find out more information about the best registered agents.

Andy Brooks

Business808, a renowned consulting organization that aids startups in scaling and growing, is led by Andy Brooks as Editor-in-Chief.

Andy has over 12 years of consulting experience and is a pro at creating and managing profitable businesses. He has experience working with several LLCs and Registered Agent services and has a degree in business management. Andy enjoys providing useful information for Business808.

In addition to writing for Business808, Andy is a well-known author and speaker, and an active contributor to several online business publications, imparting his knowledge on how to grow an LLC.

<p>The post Registered Agent Requirements for South Carolina (March 2025) first appeared on Business808.</p>

The South Carolina Secretary of State Business Search will help you choose a name that is unique for your business. Customers will know you best by the name you choose. It’s more than just a name that you use to file tax returns. You need to think about it.

The Secretary of State in South Carolina is responsible for registering business names. Business owners must choose unique names that are not already listed in the state. The South Carolina Secretary-of-State’s Business Corporate Division is responsible to ensure that each South Carolina corporation or business is unique.

It is now easier to search for the registry online, thanks to the Secretary of State. To find details about a business, anyone can search for its registration ID or business name.

The registry contains information that is up-to-date with all commercial activity in South Carolina. The database includes all types of businesses.

• Corporations
• Limited liability companies (LLCs).
• Limited partnerships

The average processing time for registration is two business days from the date that it was received. However, in some cases, the secretary of state’s office might be overwhelmed with applications, and processing times may take longer.

Search for your business name

By navigating to the South Carolina Secretary Of State’s website, click on “Search Business Files,” and you will be able to verify that your business name is available. You must select a name that is not identical to any other registered business name in the state.

If “Happy Daisy Landscaping”, for example, is already registered in Charleston, you can’t do business in Greenville under that name. However, you can choose “Cheerful Flower Landscaping” as it is distinctive.

Register Your Business Name

Sometimes, it may not be possible to launch your business. You can instead reserve your preferred business name by completing the application. If you want to create a limited liability company name, fill out the Application To Reserve a Business Name.

To reserve a name for a limited partnership, please complete the Application to Reserve a Name for Licensed Partnership. These types of name reservations are valid until the expiration of 120 days, after which they become invalid.

You don’t have to reserve a business address before you can organize your business. You can simply incorporate the business or apply for an LLC.

Register your business name

You must complete the necessary documents to register your business name. The correct form must be used for your limited liability entity. If you’re starting an LLC, fill out the LLC application. The South Carolina Secretary of State website can obtain these forms online.

These are legal documents that will establish your business. You may want to hire a lawyer to review the forms. Include the filing fee and self-addressed stamped envelope.

South Carolina Business Entity Search

Entrepreneurs looking for business names should consult the Secretary of State database to view the names of registered businesses. The database can also be used to search for information about businesses that do not exist.

Name availability search

These steps will assist you in your South Carolina business search.

• Navigate to the website of the Secretary of State www.sos.sc.gov
• Click “Search” and enter the business name.
• Click on any business name you want to view in the results.
• Check out the business information.

South Carolina LLC Name Requirements

When searching for the perfect South Carolina LLC name, you should be aware of certain things. First, all South Carolina LLCs must contain “LLC” at least in part. It is acceptable to use the abbreviation L.L.C. An LLC cannot include corporate words in its name, such as “incorporated” and the abbreviations of “inc.” and “corp.”

Your LLC name must be unique and different from any other LLC in the database. It does not count as distinctiveness if you add “a”, “an,” or periods, slashes, numbers, or hyphens to your LLC name.

To search for business names in your LLC’s database, select the “begins with” option and type the name. To ensure you have all the bases covered, perform multiple searches.

South Carolina LLC Name Search FAQ

How can I verify that an LLC name has been taken in South Carolina

You can use the South Carolina Search Tool to check if your business name appears.

Do I have to name my LLC after me?

Although there is no prohibition against naming your LLC after yourself (most experts recommend against it).

An advantage of an LLC is that you can choose a different business name, which can make your business sound more professional.

You can explore other options for naming by using your free AI-powered LLC name generator.

What words are prohibited in a South Carolina LLC’s name?

It is not possible to include words in business names that suggest that the company is a bank or financial institution, or that it is affiliated with a local or state government agency.

Learn more about LLC naming requirements at the South Carolina Naming Guidelines section.

Do I need an LLC name generator?

An LLC name generator is a great tool to help you choose a name for your LLC.

What is a brand?

A brand name is a name that a company gives to a product line or product. It can be the exact same as the company name, or something else.

Do I need to include LLC in the name?

Yes. Yes. South Carolina’s LLCs must use the abbreviation “Limited Liability Company” (e.g. LLC or L.L.C. in their legal name.

Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the South Carolina Naming Guidelines section.

What do I need to do to renew my South Carolina business name?

South Carolina does not require LLCs to renew their name.

Is it possible for my business name to be different from the South Carolina LLC name?

Some companies prefer to operate under a different name than their legal name. You can call this a “doing business as” (DBA), name. South Carolina doesn’t offer DBA filings.

Andy Brooks

Business808, a renowned consulting organization that aids startups in scaling and growing, is led by Andy Brooks as Editor-in-Chief.

Andy has over 12 years of consulting experience and is a pro at creating and managing profitable businesses. He has experience working with several LLCs and Registered Agent services and has a degree in business management. Andy enjoys providing useful information for Business808.

In addition to writing for Business808, Andy is a well-known author and speaker, and an active contributor to several online business publications, imparting his knowledge on how to grow an LLC.

<p>The post How to Do a South Carolina LLC Name Search (March 2025) first appeared on Business808.</p>

It can be challenging to discover the ideal LLC formation provider among the many available options. To assist you, we consulted with legal counsel and analyzed numerous business records to determine which South Carolina firms provide the best LLC services.

South Carolina LLC Formation Services

 Are you looking for the best LLC service in South Carolina to help launch your business? Online formation companies can help lower startup costs. Filing services also offer affordable features like a South Carolina registered agent service, assistance with getting an Employer ID Number (EIN), and an LLC name search in South Carolina.

A limited liability company (LLC), is a very popular business structure. It is an excellent way for you to protect your personal assets in the event of a lawsuit against your company. An LLC formation service will allow you to concentrate on the growth and management of your South Carolina business.

Many online LLC services will help you start your business. We reviewed the top South Carolina business formation services.

The 19 Best LLC Formation Services in South Carolina

Our list of the 19 best LLC services. Based on their simple guidance and affordable pricing, Northwest Registered Agent and IncFile were our top recommendations for LLC formations.  LLC formation starts at $225  just $39 (+ state fee) with Northwest Registered Agent.

My First 5 Picks,

• Northwest Registered Agent – Editor’s Choice, Best for Privacy
• Incfile – Best “Free” LLC filing
• ZenBusiness – “Free” LLC
• Tailor Brands – Best for Building a Brand
• Harbor Compliance – Best Compliance Software

How to Evaluate the Best LLC Services

Three things are essential when choosing the South Carolina LLC service that will help you start your business.

1. What type of business do you run?
2. Your company’s needs
3. Additional services that you might need for your LLC in South Carolina

We used a specific methodology to eliminate any companies not fitting our criteria. 

How We Qualified an LLC Service for Consideration

We evaluated several top services.

We considered BizFilings, Harbor Compliance, Inc Authority, IncFile, Incorporate.com, LegalNature, LegalZoom, MyCompanyWorks, MyCorporation, Northwest Registered Agent, Rocket Lawyer, Swyft Filings, ZenBusiness, Incorporate Fast, Active Filings, Direct Incorporation, InCorp, National Incorporators, and Sundoc Filings.

We’ve been through many LLCs and other business formations so we understand what makes an amazing LLC service. We analyzed each company using this knowledge, as well as what other business owners require in an LLC service.

• Add-on Services: Although they aren’t required, they can add significant value to a service. Having add-ons through your service can make it easier for LLC-related features to be kept on the same platform.
• Compliance: To ensure compliance with state requirements, you need to find a company that offers compliant-focused services.
• Customer Support: It is a great advantage to be able to reach an LLC service whenever you need it. Companies that offer multiple support options, such as email, phone, and live chat, are worth considering.
• Easy of use: Guided sets, knowledge bases, and free online resources make it easy to navigate the LLC formation process and other related steps. Interactive tools are available for some services to make it as easy as possible.
• Forming an LLC shouldn’t take weeks: While some services provide same-day filing or next-day business filing, others charge additionally to speed up the process.
• Pricing: We dropped companies that had a lot to offer, but charged higher fees and prices than their competitors. It should be affordable and as helpful as possible for LLC filings.
• Registered agent services: You can file documents for your business and keep your personal data confidential. Some companies offer members registered agent services for a year.

We compared each company with this set of criteria and found that all 19 services had the required qualities to be included on the list.

#1. Northwest Registered Agent – Editor’s Choice Best LLC Service

Northwest Registered Agent was chosen by us as the best South Carolina LLC service for small businesses. Northwest provides the necessary LLC services to facilitate online business formation. The cost of their incorporation service includes LLC filing, premium registered agents services, customer privacy protection, and access to business documents online.

Visit Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest is well-known for its excellent customer service. They provide their clients with Corporate guides, who are US-based support agents. Each customer has a Corporate Guide assigned to them, so you can speak to the same person if you have any concerns.

Northwest Pros

• Customer reviews that are positive
• Online ordering is easy and user-friendly
• There are no hidden charges or “free trials,” which can lead to higher prices later.
• US-based professional customer service representatives

Northwest Cons

• For important LLC formation features like an EIN, you will need to pay additional fees. 

Northwest Pricing and Features

Northwest Registered Agent offers one plan for formation. The following features are available for $39 plus any state fees

• Filing service for forming an LLC
• One-year free registered agent service
• Address for business
• Mail forwarding
• “Privacy by default”
• Customer Service “Corporate guide”

#2 Incfile

Like ZenBusiness and Northwest, Incfile provides excellent value in its basic pricing plan for South Carolina business formation services. Incfile has been rated as the best service for helping you obtain business licenses.

Visit Incfile

Incfile Pros

• All packages include a free year of registered agent service, which costs only $119 per year. This is a much lower price than other top-rated registered agent services.
• Order tracking in real-time and customer service at the highest quality
• A user-friendly online dashboard to help you keep track of important deadlines and reminds you about compliance for your LLC in South Carolina

Incfile Cons

• Upsells

• Services are limited. You may have to pay extra for certain features such as an EIN and operating agreement.

Incfile Pricing and Features

With the exception of South Carolina’s state fee, the Silver package comes with:

• South Carolina LLC Formation: Set up your South Carolina business to be self-sufficient.
• Free one-year registration agent service: Incfile will pay the registered agent fees for your first year in business.
• Receive Compliance Alerts for Your Company: Be notified when it’s time to submit your annual report.

Incfile Gold Package ($199 plus South Carolina state fee).

• Operating Agreement: Incfile will manage your operating agreement.
• Bank resolution: Incfile will create your banking resolution authorizing someone else to open a bank account and sign for the business.
• Register an EIN: Get a nine-digit EIN in order to open a bank account. This will allow you to hire employees and keep your personal transactions private.

The Platinum package ($299 + South Carolina state fees) offers even more:

• Free domain name and website for your business
• Templates for business contracts
• Bank account for business
• Priority expedited filing

Incfile’s South Carolina LLC services are the best for small businesses due to its premium services. Incfile’s basic LLC formation package includes important features that are great for startups with a limited budget.

#3 ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness comes next on our top-rated list of LLC services. The annual cost of setting up an LLC is $0 (plus the South Carolina State Fee). ZenBusiness is headquartered in Austin South Carolina. ZenBusiness simplifies the process so you can focus on your business.

Visit ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness Pros

• Straightforward South Carolina LLC formation kits
• Support from a reliable customer
• ZenBusiness reviews have positive customer feedback
• Excellent registered agent services for your LLC South Carolina

ZenBusiness Cons

• ZenBusiness can assist you in getting an EIN. However, you will need to pay $99 for the ZenBusiness basic plan.
• The registered agent service is available at an additional cost.

ZenBusiness Pricing and Features

These three packages include the following services for business formation and more for forming an South Carolina limited-liability company.

• Prepare and file the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Articles of Organization
• Searches for unlimited business names
• Consultation on accounting free of charge
• You can track important documents for business formation through an online dashboard
• Worry-Free Compliance Guarantee (Included in the First Year): Receive annual filing alerts to help ensure compliance.

Upgrade to ZenBusiness Pro and you’ll get additional South Carolina LLC formation features like:

• LLC Operating Agreement Template: An operating agreement defines the terms and conditions of South Carolina LLC formation. We found that very few formation companies included an operating agreement template as part of their basic packages.

ZenBusiness’ Premium package ($299 + South Carolina state fee) includes even more add-on features:

• Domain privacy, email address, and business domain name: Get your business online to increase credibility and reach more customers.
• Rush filing: This feature speeds up the formation process, which is beneficial for entrepreneurs who need faster and more complete services in South Carolina.

#4 Tailor Brands

Another favorite LLC service is Tailor Brands. This automated platform assists with LLC formation, branding, and building business websites. Its goal is to help entrepreneurs launch their businesses by offering a single-stop shop.

Visit Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands’ premium Elite Plan ($199 + state fees), is what sets them apart. The Elite plan is a great choice for South Carolina businesses that want to establish an online presence. These include digital business cards, logo creation, and graphic design tools for social networks.

Tailor Brands Pros

• You can create an LLC in South Carolina in less than 10 minutes. Then, you can build your website and start your social media marketing strategy.
• High-quality, personal service to ensure you get the right tools for each step of your business journey
• You will receive the best customer service to answer any questions you might have.

Tailor Brands Cons

• This is not the best option for businesses with limited budgets who only require basic South Carolina LLC formation services.
• You will need to pay an additional fee for services such as registered agent service

Tailor Brands Prices and Features

Although Tailor Brands offers three packages for LLC formation, we will be highlighting their all-inclusive Elite package. The Elite Plan offers a lot of value for the price. It is designed for entrepreneurs who want to succeed online.

Elite Plan Features:

• Formation of LLC
• Compliance annually
• Processing expedited
• Operating Agreement
• One year free domain
• Logo maker
• Website Builder

#5 Harbor Compliance  – Best Compliance Software

Compliance is in its name and Harbor Compliance lives up to its mission to provide businesses with useful tools to manage their legal obligations.

Visit Harbor Compliance

Technically, Harbor Compliance can be described as an online tool that allows you to manage many of your compliance requirements. The software allows you to review, file, and renew documents. You can also receive communications from your registered agent.

Harbor Compliance specialists are available to help you review documents and alert you if something is amiss.

Harbor Compliance is a better choice if you are looking for a complete solution that includes additional services such as trademarking or business domain registration. This company is worth looking into if you are serious about compliance and have already filed your LLCs.

What makes Harbor Compliance great?

Harbor Compliance’s Entity Manager software tool is a standout offering. This tool and formation package includes registration agent services, compliance audits, and DBA renewals. It also has other essential features that ensure compliance year-round.

Harbor Compliance’s software allows business owners to search for state requirements using its license management tool. You can then track each license’s renewal status right from your dashboard.

The cost of forming an LLC is $99 plus the state filing fees. However, there are other options available for expedited filing. Depending on the state, registered agent services start at $89 per year.

14 Other LLC Services to Consider

• Swyft Filings
• MyCompanyWorks
• Inc Authority 
• Incorporate Fast
• Bizfilings
• RocketLawyer
• LegalZoom
• Incorporate.com
• CorpNet
• MyCorporation
• Direct Incorporation
• InCorp
• National Incorporators
• Sundoc Filings

6. Swyft Filings

Swyft Filings provide a lot of value with their $49 Basic Package.

They will help you complete your Articles of Organization, file them for you, provide a 30-minute free tax consultation with one of the in-house accountants, allow you to track your filing progress online, and even register your business domain name.

They are not higher up on the list because unlike Northwest they do not offer a free year for their registered agent service.

The only problem with SwyftT Filings is if you require a full year’s registered agent service, you will need to pay $149. They are three times more costly than Northwest.

7. MyCompanyWorks

My Company Works looks a lot like Swyft Filings.

The Basic Package includes everything needed to create an LLC. However, they charge $79. You will need to pay more if you wish to add a registered agent service. MyCompanyWorks will charge you $279 to upgrade to their Premium Package.

8. Inc Authority

Inc Authority is probably the most deceptive pricing strategy on this list.

You are lured in by the promise of a free business set-up, but as you can see with Incfile, it is often more costly in the long term.

They will file your initial Certificate Of Formation for $0 plus a state fee. However, if you need anything more (like an Operating Agreement or EIN) their next cheapest package costs $399. You can also upgrade to the $799 premium package if you need a year of registered agent service.

IncFile is the best option if you only need your Certificate of Formation to be filed for free. Northwest will still be the best choice if you need anything beyond this.

9. Incorporate Fast

Incorporate Fast stands out from the rest by living up to its name. When you sign up for the $99 package (plus any state fees), they promise to file your paperwork within 24 hours. This promise is exclusive to them.

This is a solid service when you consider the fact that the Basic Package includes help with your Operating Agreement, some sample documents, and one year of their registered agent services.

They’re almost twice the price of Northwest, and they don’t offer free tax consultations or online document storage. 

10. Bizfilings

BizFilings can file your formation documents and offer a year of free registered agent service. They do not offer online document storage, a business tax assessment, or an Operating Agreement template.

11. Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer is an addition to the list. This is because LLC formation, which isn’t a service they offer, isn’t one of their main offerings. It’s actually a complement to the main service Rocket Lawyer provides–online legal services.

Rocket Lawyer can assist you with your initial filings and provide an online document storage platform. It costs $99 plus state fees. Rocket Lawyer’s business formation service is not the most affordable or the best supported.

Rocket Lawyer offers great online legal services. Their LLC service is not that great.

12. LegalZoom

Overpriced in my opinion. LegalZoom has a similarity to Rocket Lawyer. They are primarily an online legal services company, but also offers formation services. They will file your Articles of Organization and provide a bank resolution for $99, after which you are on your own. They do not provide any free registered agent services.

You might use them already for your online legal services so you could consider using them to create an LLC. When adding a registered agent $299, an LLC operating agreement template $159, and other features, the price can go way up.

You are paying a premium for the LegalZoom brand.

13. Incorporate.com

Incorporate.com offers limited LLC formation packages, just like Rocket Lawyer or LegalZoom. But it’s not a side service. This is their main role, and they do it as well as they can. It’s not that inspiring.

14. CorpNet

Corpnet charges $79 to provide business formation services. However, they only file your initial documents and provide compliance alerts regarding your annual reports and tax payments. However, they do not provide registered agent services for the first 60 days.

IncFile is a better option if you only need a small selection. Northwest offers more options.

15. MyCorporation

MyCorporation costs $133 plus state fees to prepare your Operating Agreement and to process your Articles of Organization. Additional costs will apply if you require more extensive features such as those offered by Northwest.

16. Direct Incorporation

Direct Incorporation continues the trend of charging too much for very little. They offer their South Carolina LLC service at $147 plus state fees. Although they do offer an EIN and a bank resolution, it is still not market leader.

17. InCorp

InCorp assists with the filing of your South Carolina LLC formation paperwork and also assists with your South Carolina LLC Operating Agreement. All for $117

18. National Incorporations

Nationwide Incorporations costs $200 for the same services that you can get from InCorp.

19. SunDoc Filings

SunDoc Filings will submit your formation paperwork at $79, and you can get a few extras if the $99 or $279 packages are purchased. No matter which option you choose, you still get far less value than Northwest.

Andy Brooks

Business808, a renowned consulting organization that aids startups in scaling and growing, is led by Andy Brooks as Editor-in-Chief.

Andy has over 12 years of consulting experience and is a pro at creating and managing profitable businesses. He has experience working with several LLCs and Registered Agent services and has a degree in business management. Andy enjoys providing useful information for Business808.

In addition to writing for Business808, Andy is a well-known author and speaker, and an active contributor to several online business publications, imparting his knowledge on how to grow an LLC.

<p>The post 19 Best LLC Services in South Carolina (March 2025) first appeared on Business808.</p>

This guide will assist new business owners in selecting a registered agent for their company and provide answers to helpful questions that are regularly asked.

Find the Best Registered Agent in South Carolina for your business: It is crucial to choose the right South Carolina registered agent when starting a new LLC or updating an existing registered agent.

I researched over 20 South Carolina registered agent services and selected the top 11 services to feature and review.

These are my top picks for the best South Carolina registered agent service

1. Northwest Registered Agent
   
2. Incfile
   
3. ZenBusiness
   
4. LegalZoom
   
5. Harbor Compliance
   
6. InCorp
   

This article will help you choose the right registered agent to represent your business. This article will explain the basics of registered agents and answer common questions regarding South Carolina registered agents.

Best South Carolina Registered Agent Service

When choosing a registered agent, you want someone who is familiar with the legal process and can help ensure compliance. Northwest Registered agent is the best registered agent service available for South Carolina businesses.

They provide everything you need to create an LLC or register as a Registered Agent. For over 20 years, this company has helped small businesses to grow and get started.

Additional registered agents

South Carolina has many registered agent services. These six services are the most sought-after. However, I would like to highlight some other services that are available in South Carolina.

7. Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer offers a more affordable option than LegalZoom. Their product offering includes a limited number of registered agents. Online legal services are also offered, including talking with an attorney, document review, and ongoing legal services.

South Carolina offers $149 for a physical address. This will ensure that state mail forwarding is possible. Rocket Lawyer accepts service of process for your behalf but offers fewer services than Northwest Registered Agent.

8. SunDoc Filings

SunDoc Filings provides basic South Carolina registered agent services starting at $159. This includes service and forwarding of legal documents from the South Carolina Secretary of State.

Northwest Registered Agent does not offer a dedicated customer support system like the ‘Corporate guides’.

9. Swyft Filings

Swyft Filings offers registered agent services to your South Carolina LLC/business for $149 It is not nearly as good as Northwest’s top-rated customer service.

10. CSC

CSC is a premium South Carolina registered agent service that costs $299 per annum. You must pay state fees to change your South Carolina registered agents. They do not have any premium features.

Switching to Northwest Register Agent could be an easy way to save money. CSC has a long and distinguished history. They are an option when searching for South Carolina registered agents.

11. Registered Agents Inc.

Registered Agents Inc. Costs $200 and includes the same features of Northwest Registered Agent at $125, including online account access and compliance alerts to keep you in good standing before the South Carolina Secretary-of-State.

What is a South Carolina registered agent?

A South Carolina Registered Agent is an individual/business entity that has been designated by a South Carolina LLC/corporation in order to receive tax and legal documents such as service of process or compliance documents.

Although they can perform a number of tasks, registered agents have a larger role that is much more significant. They are the link between your business and the state where you do business.

First, the registered agent must be named as the recipient of any South Carolina tax documents or legal documents.

To receive legal documents, the registered agent must be present.

The registered agent must report the delivery to your company and then forward the documents.

They should agree upon a set of processes for receiving and delivering the documents. They will decide whether the documents will be sent to the business by the registered agent via email, mail, or fax.

South Carolina Business Compliance

A registered agent can help you ensure that your business meets all state-required continuing support filings.

Each state has its own rules regarding maintenance filings. These include annual reports and franchise tax payments.

These rules may change at any time, so your registered agent should keep current in order to maintain good standing with the state for your business and avoid dissolution or fines.

How to select a South Carolina registered agent

Two options exist for selecting a South Carolina Registered Agent. You have two options when it comes to choosing a South Carolina Registered Agent.

You could also become your own registered agent. This job is best done by a professional. It is not expensive and they will finish the job in a year.

Choosing an Internal Registered Agent

Any member of the LLC can serve as the registered agent, which could include you or your employees. The Registered Agent will be your home or office address. Each LLC must provide its mailing address and principal office address to the state’s online public system.

It will be much easier to hire a registered agent because you can use their address as a post office address.

Registered Agent Services

For a reasonable price of $100-$299 per year, professional registered agent services can be arranged. This will ensure your business is represented by the best service provider.

We’ve compiled a list of the best registered agent services in South Carolina. They can handle the job for your benefit.

Choosing a South Carolina Registered Agent

These are some of the things you should keep in mind when choosing a registered agent.

• Service Fee: Many states require that formal businesses register agents. It is therefore important to select the best-registered agent. An annual cost for a registered agent is $99-$300 It is a small price to pay considering the time savings.
• Experience and tenure of a registered agent: Registered agents should have tested and established procedures for handling documents. Register agent services should have been in existence for some time. They are able to handle all your documentation.
• State Jurisdiction Limit: It is better to have one registered agent for each state than it is to deal with multiple registered agents. This will reduce administrative burdens. Each state has one of our recommended registered agents.
• Monitoring and Follow-up Services: To ensure you’re fully informed about all laws, rules and regulations that impact your company, it is important to quickly obtain the most current information from your registered agent.

How can I appoint a registered agent in South Carolina?

An LLC can appoint a registered agent to act as the South Carolina Certificate of Organization. It can be done online or by post. No cost is required to appoint a registered agent. Only the state filing fee needs to be paid.

My research to find the best South Carolina registered agent

Here’s how I found the top South Carolina registered agents to help you form an LLC.

I was able to compare the packages and research information about South Carolina registered agents. I was looking for the best service when I tried to find the right registered agent for my website.

To allow my website to receive mail or process service, I needed a street address that was open during business hours. To keep my businesses in good standing with the Secretary of State, I needed compliance alerts.

As I spoke with entrepreneurs, small business owners, and friends who have online businesses, it became clear that not everyone has time or patience to look from site to site to find the best South Carolina registered agent service provider.

My knowledge enabled me and my colleagues to make informed decisions about South Carolina registered agent services. My advice was trusted by many who have read my website, which surprised me.

How did I choose the best South Carolina registered agents?

I started with more than 10 service providers. After my screening, I narrowed the list down to 4. Based on my four main evaluation steps, I chose my top four services.

My First Step: Reviews

I started by reading reviews and collecting, the honest voices of thousands of people just like me. Trustpilot, Facebook, and Better Business Bureau reviews overwhelmed me. They allowed me to categorize them according to various criteria (ease of use, affordability, customer support, privacy protection, taxes, etc. ).

I was able to identify obvious frauds as well as misleading offers.

Second Step: Website Analysis

After I had removed the illegitimate providers I began to look at the websites of the remaining corporations to get a better understanding of what they stand for and how authentic their advertising is.

I was especially interested in optimizing their products and services, customer support, and company experience, as well as any recognition they received.

Third Step: Speaking with real customers

Websites and sales representatives can tell you a lot about the company. But customers will tell them how they deliver it. Are they efficient? Are they efficient? Are they polite? Are they polite?

Although online reviews can fill in some of the gaps, most reviews are written by people who have had overwhelmingly positive experiences. This can cloud your view. You can get a better understanding of your customers by talking to them.

I reached out to people who I helped find a registered agent, and new visitors to my site looking for one. It was wonderful to hear their stories.

I was able to see the entire service from every angle.

My fourth step: Talking with the Marketing and Sales Teams

To complete my research, I spoke with the sales representatives of each company. After gathering all customer complaints, reviews, and files, I began to ask tough questions about the company’s failure to meet their expectations.

Negative reviews are often ignored by many companies. Others will tell you that they have taken feedback into consideration and have improved their operations.

This was the final step that separated the ordinary from the extraordinary.

My Rating Criteria

These are the four key factors that influenced my choice for the best registered agent to represent South Carolina LLC.

#1: I checked the services and features

First, I looked at the company’s services and features. Other factors such as ease of use and cost don’t really matter if the company doesn’t provide the services South Carolina registered agents require. I viewed the companies in the same way a consumer and shopper would.

I was able to identify my own requirements for finding a good registered agent. I was curious if this registered agent service would be a good fit for me. Are they able to provide the features I require for my business?

These are the things I thought of:

• Do you have access to online documents through the registered agent? Or do they mail them directly to your South Carolina street address?
• Are you able to get alerts from the registered agent about compliance deadlines and filing deadlines for annual reporting? Is the registered agent able to give you a calendar for your LLC/business?
• Does the registered agent provide privacy guarantees?
• Is it possible for the registered agent to offer affordable South Carolina LLC formation services?
• Is the state fee filing and payment responsibility of the registration agent?
• You can choose to file the change online or mail it in.
• Is the agent available to accept the service of process?

The top-ranked registered agents in South Carolina were those offering the most services, while those who offered fewer options were at the bottom or middle.

#2: I checked the pricing

Although most people focus on the price, it is important that you consider the product’s worth. This can differ greatly from one South Carolina registered agent. A good registered agent will cost you between $125 and $299 annually. LegalZoom is a brand name that charges $299 per annum. However, most registered agents know that Northwest offers the best service and privacy at a reasonable $125 per.

#3: I checked the ease of use

When you set up a business or LLC in South Carolina, your time is valuable.

My next consideration was the ease of signing up. My top choice was the easiest, most efficient and least intrusive system. I would give one of my lowest ranks to a company if they asked me to move one document from another in a slow system.

#4: I checked their customer service and support

No matter how user-friendly, intuitive, or simple a system is, all customers need support. Although not all business owners can be tech-savvy, South Carolina businesses should have a registered agent they trust.

When choosing an agent to represent a company or LLC in South Carolina, I took customer service into consideration.

South Carolina registered agent services were evaluated based on their ability to efficiently and quickly solve customer problems using highly-trained, experienced agents. South Carolina registered agents do not need to be required for limited liability businesses and small businesses in South Carolina. They should be available to answer calls quickly and give generic answers.

Conclusion

South Carolina registered agents are crucial to your company’s legal compliance. These tasks may seem easy, but if they are not done correctly, they could lead to substantial fines or even the dissolution of your company.

While you can always replace your registered agents later, it’s important to choose the right agent for your company at the beginning. You should also keep an eye on your compliance status to ensure nothing goes wrong.

South Carolina Registered Agent FAQs

Where can I find a South Carolina registered agent?

Registering as a registered agent can help you manage your time and privacy. There are many registered agent services. We recommend using a trusted national registered agent service.

What is the cost of a registered agent in South Carolina?

A registered agent service usually costs between $99-$299

Is a South Carolina registered agent required?

South Carolina law requires that all LLCs, corporations, or nonprofits elect and maintain a registered agent.

Hire a service or be my own registered agent?

Registering as a registered agent can make a significant investment in your privacy and peace of mind.

How much does it cost to change my registered agent?

It can cost anywhere from $0 to $50 to change the registered agent depending on how many states your LLC has to do business in.

Best Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent
https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com

Andy Brooks

Business808, a renowned consulting organization that aids startups in scaling and growing, is led by Andy Brooks as Editor-in-Chief.

Andy has over 12 years of consulting experience and is a pro at creating and managing profitable businesses. He has experience working with several LLCs and Registered Agent services and has a degree in business management. Andy enjoys providing useful information for Business808.

In addition to writing for Business808, Andy is a well-known author and speaker, and an active contributor to several online business publications, imparting his knowledge on how to grow an LLC.

<p>The post Best Registered Agents in South Carolina (March 2025) first appeared on Business808.</p>