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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Chapter 3 · South Carolina

Foreign LLC Registration Chapter, South Carolina (2026): 5 Sections and the 3 Best Services

South Carolina readers who want help registering an LLC formed elsewhere in 2026 should look at Mainstay Filing ($199), South Carolina Registered Agent.co ($199) and SC Registered Agent.org ($199), in the order given. Registration is covered in 5 sections. The state fee is $110.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Essential facts

Registration fee $110 Source text at dor.sc.gov, October 2026
Home certificate 30 days How recent it must be
Annual report None Does not apply
State cost, years 1 to 3 $110 No service fee included
Sections 5 Outlined below

Chapter objectives

  • When an LLC from elsewhere must register in South Carolina
  • The official form and fee
  • The cost of staying registered
  • How the recommended services compare

If you want someone else to file

Cost over three years comes first, then paperwork completed, second-year price, South Carolina fit and price clarity (grading page).

1. Mainstay Filing: best for one provider for both states

Read this one first
$199 to register, $149 per year afterward

This chapter recommends Mainstay Filing above the others, because registration with South Carolina costs $199 over the state fee, with year one of the registered agent included.

South Carolina Registered Agent.co costs $100 less over three years; this service still ranks higher because it does more of the work.

Year two brings a charge for the agent, $149 a year, and it is the same in every state.

Price covers

  • Registration filing
  • The same price in every state

Advantages

  • All fifty states covered
  • $199 over South Carolina's fee

Limitations

  • A higher agent renewal ($149)
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. South Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for a low yearly agent fee

Single-state plan
$199 to register, $99 per year afterward

South Carolina Registered Agent.co takes second position; registering with South Carolina through this service costs $199 and includes a year of agent service; renewal is $99.

Price covers

  • The South Carolina registration, prepared and submitted
  • A year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $199 and the state fee
  • First-year agent service at no added cost
  • The agent renews at $99

Limitations

  • Works in South Carolina only, leaving the home state without an agent
Visit South Carolina Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. SC Registered Agent.org: best for another South Carolina choice

Single-state plan
$199 to register, $99 per year afterward

SC Registered Agent.org takes third position; registering with South Carolina through this service costs $199 and includes a year of agent service; renewal is $99.

On price, it matches South Carolina Registered Agent.co.

Price covers

  • The South Carolina registration, prepared and submitted
  • A year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • The agent renews at $99
  • First-year agent service at no added cost
  • $199 and the state fee

Limitations

  • Works in South Carolina only, leaving the home state without an agent
Visit SC Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Rankings and prices together

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1 Mainstay Filing $199$149/yr$497 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 South Carolina Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397 Visit South Carolina Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 SC Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397 Visit SC Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Taken from each company's price page on November 13, 2026. Each row still owes South Carolina's $110 registration fee.

How registration works in South Carolina

  1. Section 1

    When South Carolina requires registration

    South Carolina requires an out-of-state LLC to register first if it will do business here. An LLC that operates unregistered faces: an unregistered LLC may not act as plaintiff before South Carolina's courts (S.C. Code 33-44-1008(a)) its contracts can still be enforced (S.C. Code 33-44-1008(b))

    Reference: Source text at dor.sc.gov, October 2026

  2. Section 2

    Obtain a certificate from the home state

    Obtain certificate of existence from the home-state Secretary of State, issued no earlier than 30 days.

    Order this last so the certificate is current when you file.

  3. Section 3

    Secure a registered agent with an address in South Carolina

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a street address in South Carolina for the agent, stated in the articles. P.O. boxes are not accepted.

    Any of the recommended services can serve.

    Reference: Source text at scstatehouse.gov, October 2026

  4. Section 4

    Your paperwork here is the Application for a Certificate of Authority by a Foreign Limited Liability Company

    Filing is the act of registering, and the state charges $110.

    Reference: Source text at dor.sc.gov, October 2026

  5. Section 5

    Remain registered

    South Carolina requires nothing recurring from a foreign LLC.

Costs section by section

SectionWho is paidTotal
Foreign registration Government$110
Service, if hired The service$199 initially
Three years of state fees Government$110

State fees come from the official pages in the bibliography. Over three years they consist of the filing, two reports and, in a few states, a minimum tax.

The reasoning behind the ranking

finished ahead of on chapters the price completes, which counts for 30%.

Registration involves two states, and a provider that covers both finished ahead of South Carolina Registered Agent.co.

Short answers

What is South Carolina's fee for an out-of-state LLC?

$110 for the filing. The recommended services add $199.

Which form do I file to register?

The Application for a Certificate of Authority by a Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form F0008) is the form needed, and it goes to the South Carolina Secretary of State.

Do I need a certificate from my home state?

Yes: certificate of existence from the home-state Secretary of State, issued within 30 days of filing.

What if the LLC does business there without registering?

an unregistered LLC may not act as plaintiff before South Carolina's courts (S.C. Code 33-44-1008(a)) its contracts can still be enforced (S.C. Code 33-44-1008(b))

What is due after registering?

No recurring report for foreign LLCs in South Carolina.

Which service should handle the registration?

Mainstay Filing, South Carolina Registered Agent.co and SC Registered Agent.org, from the highest ranking to the lowest.

See also

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Bibliography entry for the S.C chapter: scstatehouse.gov, consulted August 2026.
  2. Bibliography entry for the South Carolina Business Entities Online chapter: businessfilings.sc.gov, consulted October 2026.
  3. Bibliography entry for the SC Secretary of State, business entity FAQs chapter: sos.sc.gov, consulted October 2026.
  4. Bibliography entry for the SC Department of Revenue, corporate FAQs chapter: dor.sc.gov, consulted October 2026.
  5. Bibliography entry for the S.C chapter: scstatehouse.gov, consulted November 2026.
  6. Price reference: Mainstay Filing, South Carolina service page, November 13, 2026
  7. Price reference: South Carolina Registered Agent.co, pricing page, November 13, 2026
  8. Price reference: SC Registered Agent.org, pricing page, November 13, 2026