How to Start an LLC in South Carolina (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in South Carolina, you file Articles of Organization, Form F0006, with the South Carolina Secretary of State, and the filing fee is $110.

Maya Is that done online?

Dan Yes, through Business Entities Online. You can mail it in too, and the fee is the same either way.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, South Carolina for 2026: six steps with every cost, a surprise about annual reports, and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Where do we begin?

0:33 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan Your LLC's name has to include limited liability company, limited company, LLC, or LC, with or without the periods.

Maya Is there a way to see what's taken?

Dan Use the Secretary of State's free business search. Your name must be distinguishable from the names already on file.

Maya Can I hold a name while I get ready?

Dan You can reserve one for $25. It lasts 120 days, and it can't be renewed.

Maya So that's a hard stop.

Dan Right. After the 120 days, you either file or start over.

1:09 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya South Carolina calls this something different, doesn't it?

Dan It's an agent for service of process. That's the person or company who receives legal papers for the LLC.

Maya Who qualifies?

Dan An individual who lives in South Carolina, or a business authorized to operate in the state. Either one needs a South Carolina street address.

Maya Can my LLC be its own agent?

Dan No, the LLC can't name itself.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Glad to be here, Maya. One more thing on the agent: that person signs your Articles, and the address ends up on the public record.

Maya And if I change agents down the road?

Dan That filing is $10.

1:49 Step 3: File the Articles

Maya Walk me through the form.

Dan Form F0006 asks for the LLC's name, a designated office in South Carolina, your agent, and each organizer's name and address.

Maya Online or paper?

Dan The fee is $110 both ways. But online is faster, and it lets you fix errors before you submit.

Maya And by mail?

Dan You send two copies of the form, along with the fee.

2:15 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does the state want to see an operating agreement?

Dan No. You keep it with your records. It isn't filed, and there's no state fee.

Maya Is it even required?

Dan South Carolina law says it doesn't have to be in writing. But a handshake is a bad plan, so write it down.

Maya What goes in it?

Dan Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes the decisions, and what happens when a member leaves.

2:41 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya Now the federal side.

Dan Apply for an EIN with the IRS at IRS.gov. It's free, and you do it after the Secretary of State files your Articles.

Maya What do I need?

Dan The Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge. If the online application is approved, the number comes right away.

Maya And the ownership report I keep hearing about?

Dan You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires one from U.S. companies.

3:09 Step 6: No annual report, but keep your agent current

Maya Okay, so what does South Carolina want every year?

Dan Here's the surprise. A standard LLC files no annual report.

Maya Really? None?

Dan The Department of Revenue says an LLC that isn't taxed as a corporation isn't subject to the annual report or license fee.

Maya What's a standard LLC, in their terms?

Dan Multi-member LLCs are taxed as partnerships. Single-member LLCs are disregarded for income tax.

Maya And if I elect corporate tax treatment?

Dan Then you file Form CL-1 with the Department of Revenue, with a $25 minimum license fee.

Maya Any way to lose the LLC by accident?

Dan Unpaid state fees can lead to dissolution after a 60-day notice. And you need a registered agent in place at all times.

3:58 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself math.

Dan $110 to file the Articles. Then nothing for a yearly report, if you're a standard LLC. The EIN is free.

Maya What are the optional extras?

Dan The name reservation is $25. And changing your agent later is $10.

Maya So the whole first year, with no extras?

Dan $110.

4:20 Why the agent matters more here

Maya With no annual report, what keeps the LLC on the state's radar?

Dan Mostly the agent. If the agent changes or goes away, you'll want to file the change.

Maya Which costs $10.

Dan Right. And the agent signed your Articles, so choose someone who plans to stick around.

Maya What if I list myself?

Dan You can, if you live in South Carolina. Your home address then becomes public.

Maya That's why people hire a commercial agent.

Dan Yes. They keep the address public instead of yours.

4:51 Corporate tax treatment

Maya Let me go back to Form CL-1. Who files it?

Dan An LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation. It goes to the Department of Revenue, not the Secretary of State.

Maya And the $25?

Dan That's the minimum license fee.

Maya So most small LLCs never see it.

Dan Most never do. A standard multi-member or single-member LLC doesn't file it.

Maya But the election changes things.

Dan It does, so check with a tax professional before you make it. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

5:23 What you'll see on the public record

Maya What can the public look up about my LLC?

Dan What's on your Articles: the name, the designated office, the agent, and the organizers.

Maya Does that include my operating agreement?

Dan No. That stays with you.

Maya And if I'm the organizer myself?

Dan Then your name and address are on it. Think about whose you want there.

5:44 Your first-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Choose your agent, and make sure the agent will sign. File Form F0006 online for $110.

Maya Then what?

Dan Write your operating agreement, get your EIN, and keep your agent current. If you elect corporate tax treatment, add Form CL-1 to your list.

6:07 The 3 best ways to file in South Carolina

Maya What if I'd rather hand this off?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in South Carolina. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $110 state fee, checkout comes to $309.

Maya What does that cover?

Dan Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya And the annual report?

Dan In South Carolina, a standard LLC doesn't have one, so there's no separate yearly filing to worry about.

Maya Number two?

Dan SC Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, also $309 at checkout. Your first year of agent service is free, then $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan South Carolina Registered Agent.co. Same offer: $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

7:15 Three years of service fees

Maya How do they compare over time?

Dan Because there's no annual report, it comes down to the agent. Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597 over three years.

Maya And the other two?

Dan $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya A $200 gap.

Dan Yes. From year two, numbers two and three cost less, at $99 a year for the agent alone. Mainstay is the pick when you want one price that covers everything.

7:51 Recap

Maya Can you recap?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent who signs your Articles, file Form F0006 for $110, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and keep your agent current. A standard LLC files no annual report.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new South Carolina LLC.