Short answer: Must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in South Carolina. Changing agents costs $15.
We've pulled these figures from the South Carolina Secretary of State's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.
Who can serve as a South Carolina registered agent
Must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in South Carolina.
Check the rules above before naming yourself.
Paid registered agent services
| Service | Yearly price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | Uses its address on your public filings by default; scans state and legal mail |
| Bizee | Free year 1 with formation, then $149 | Says it runs its own offices in all 50 states; sends service of process by tracked FedEx |
| ZenBusiness | $199 | Sold as an add-on, not included with formation |
| LegalZoom | $249 | Sold separately from its LLC packages |
Compare all four in our registered agent rankings, or read the Bizee vs Northwest comparison.
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina's fee to change registered agents is $15. That's the 18th lowest of 45 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $20, so South Carolina comes in $5 under it.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $15 | 27 of 45 |
| District of Columbia | $50 | 4 of 45 |
| Georgia | $0 | 40 of 45 |
| North Carolina | $5 | 37 of 45 |
| Virginia | Varies | Not confirmed |
| Alabama | $100 | 1 of 45 |
South Carolina fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $125 | $110 base fee plus $15 electronic records access fee for online filing |
| Change of registered agent | $15 | $10 via mail, $15 online due to $5 electronic service fee |
| Articles of Termination | $15 |
Registered agent rules: South Carolina questions
What are the registered agent requirements in South Carolina?
Must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in South Carolina.
Can I be my own registered agent in South Carolina?
Generally yes, if you have a physical address in South Carolina and are available during business hours. Confirm with the South Carolina Secretary of State.
How much does it cost to change registered agents in South Carolina?
The state charges $15. $10 via mail, $15 online due to $5 electronic service fee
Can a registered agent use a PO box in South Carolina?
No. Registered agents need a physical street address in South Carolina where legal papers can be delivered in person during business hours.
How much does a registered agent service cost in South Carolina?
Commercial services typically charge a yearly fee. Northwest charges $125 a year and Bizee charges $149 a year after a free first year with formation, based on prices we checked. The state doesn't regulate these prices.
What happens if my South Carolina LLC doesn't have a registered agent?
You can miss lawsuits and state notices, and the state can eventually move to revoke or dissolve the LLC. N/A for default LLCs
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: dba where, dba fee.