How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in South Carolina?
The cost to start an LLC (limited liability company) online in South Carolina is $110. This fee is paid to the South Carolina Secretary of State when filing the LLC’s Articles of Organization.
We recommend Northwest ($29 + State Fees) to help form your LLC.
How Much Does an LLC Cost in South Carolina?
South Carolina LLC Online Filing Fee: $110
The main cost to start an LLC in South Carolina is the $110 fee to file your LLC's Articles of Organization online with the South Carolina Secretary of State.
For a look at LLC cost in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.
Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in South Carolina
If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into South Carolina, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in South Carolina.
The cost for registering a South Carolina foreign LLC is $110. You can register a foreign LLC in South Carolina by filing an Application for Certificate of Authority to Transact Business.
Optional LLC Formation Costs
There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:
LLC Name Reservation
Reserve your name for up to 120 days prior to LLC formation by filing an Application to Reserve a Limited Liability Company Name and paying the $25 filing fee.
Foreign LLC Fictitious Name
If a foreign LLC’s legal name is not available in South Carolina, they can file an Adopting a Fictitious Name form and pay the $2 fee to use a different name.
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South Carolina LLC Ongoing Fees
When establishing and maintaining a limited liability company (LLC) in South Carolina, it's important to consider the ongoing costs involved. Luckily, South Carolina does not have any annual report requirements for LLCs.
However, South Carolina LLCs are required to have an agent for service of process, also known as a registered agent. Should you choose to outsource this position by using a commercial registered agent, expect to pay a yearly fee of about $200.
How to Register a South Carolina LLC Yourself
Forming an LLC in South Carolina is easy. Simply follow the steps outlined on this page.
Recommended: Using an LLC formation service like Northwest ($29 + State Fees) saves time and ensures compliance. Besides the low cost, we like their streamlined approach and excellent customer service.
South Carolina LLC Cost FAQ
In South Carolina, you need to file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State to start an LLC. You can do this either online or by mail and it costs $110.
South Carolina does not have a provision for using a DBA or "doing business as" name for LLCs. All business must be conducted under the legal name of the LLC as registered with the Secretary of State.
South Carolina does not require LLCs to submit an annual report, which simplifies ongoing compliance for businesses. The exception to this is if your LLC chooses to be taxed as a C corporation or S corporation. In this case, you would file an annual report alongside your state corporation income tax return.
Using an LLC formation service in South Carolina can be highly beneficial. Such a service can guide the business through the filing process, ensure all state-specific paperwork is correctly completed, and keep the business updated on any changes in legislation or reporting requirements. Moreover, some LLC formation services also offer a Registered Agent service, handling all relevant legal and official correspondence for the LLC.
You can verify the availability of a business name in South Carolina by using the Business Name Search on the Secretary of State's website. This ensures that your chosen business name is not already in use by another entity in the state.
In South Carolina, a Certificate of Existence, also known as a Certificate of Good Standing in other states, verifies that an LLC is authorized to conduct business in the state. It confirms the LLC has met all statutory requirements and is in compliance with state law. This document may be requested by lenders, investors, or other parties who want to confirm the LLC's legitimacy.
Article Sources
IRS - Employer ID Numbers:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers
South Carolina Secretary of State:
https://businessfilings.sc.gov/BusinessFiling/
SBA - Apply for licenses and permits:
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/apply-licenses-permits
Chamber of Commerce - South Carolina Chamber of Commerce List:
https://www.officialusa.com/stateguides/chambers/SouthCarolina.html