The minimum cost of forming an LLC in South Carolina is $110, and every dollar goes to the state. That’s the whole story on how to start an LLC in South Carolina: you file Articles of Organization with the South Carolina Secretary of State, Division of Business Filings, and, according to the Division’s forms page, the filing fee is $110. A formation service is optional. You can file directly and skip any service fee.
Below you’ll find a cost table, seven steps, and a look at when paying for help makes sense.
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Last updated: October 13, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization is $110.
- South Carolina LLCs don’t file an annual report with the Secretary of State.
- An EIN from the IRS is free. You never have to pay for one.
- A formation service is optional. If you use one, you pay its fee on top of the state fee.
How Much It Costs to Start an LLC in South Carolina
Here’s the full picture at a glance.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (state filing fee) | $110 | Paid to the South Carolina Secretary of State, Division of Business Filings |
| Annual report with the Secretary of State | None | South Carolina LLCs don’t file one |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Free at IRS.gov |
| Formation service (optional) | Varies | Priced by provider |
The $110 state fee is unavoidable. Everything else on the list is free or optional.
How to Start an LLC in South Carolina: 7 Steps
Want the big-picture version first? Our 7-step overview covers the process for any state. Here’s the South Carolina version.
1. Choose and Check Your LLC Name
Your LLC’s name is the legal name it carries on state filings. Before you settle on one, use the business name search on the South Carolina Secretary of State’s business filings site to see whether a similar name is already taken.
Naming rules, like required words such as “LLC” and restricted terms, can change. Check the Secretary of State’s website for the current list.
Also check that the matching domain name and social handles are open. That isn’t a legal requirement, but it saves headaches later.
2. Appoint a Registered Agent
A registered agent is the person or company designated to receive official legal and government mail for your LLC, such as lawsuit papers and state notices. Your options are:
- Yourself, if you’re available at a physical address during business hours
- Someone you trust, such as a business partner or family member
- A commercial registered agent service, which many owners choose for privacy or because they travel
The South Carolina Secretary of State’s website has the current rules on who can serve as an agent and what address qualifies. Check it first, because your agent’s details go on your Articles of Organization.
3. File the Articles of Organization
The Articles of Organization is the document that officially creates your LLC. South Carolina’s form cites sections 33-44-202 and 33-44-203 of the state code and carries a $110 filing fee, according to the Division of Business Filings.
- Go to the South Carolina Secretary of State, Division of Business Filings website (businessfilings.sc.gov).
- Download or open the Articles of Organization form from its forms page.
- Fill in your LLC name, registered agent information, and the other items the form asks for.
- Submit it with the $110 fee using one of the filing methods the Division offers.
Check the Division of Business Filings’ website for current processing times and any optional expedited service before you file.
Say you’re forming a one-person LLC for a freelance design business. You pick a name, confirm it’s available, list yourself as registered agent, and file with the $110 fee. Your state cost for formation is $110. Done.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out how your LLC is run: who the members (owners) are, who the managers are if you choose manager management, how profits are split, and what happens if someone leaves. It’s typically kept with your business records rather than filed with the state. Confirm on the Secretary of State’s site whether anything about it is required at filing.
Even a single-member LLC benefits from one. It documents that the business is separate from you, which can matter when a bank, a landlord, or a court asks how the LLC operates. Free templates are widely available, including from bar associations and legal aid sites, and you can adapt one to your situation. If you have partners, have a lawyer review the agreement.
5. Get a Free EIN From the IRS
An EIN (employer identification number) is your LLC’s federal tax ID, a bit like a Social Security number for the business. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS in minutes, for free, and that you never have to pay a fee for one.
Apply through the IRS’s own online tool at IRS.gov. Be wary of third-party sites that charge for something the IRS gives away.
You’ll typically need an EIN to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file certain tax returns. Tax treatment depends on your setup, so read our LLC vs. S corp guide before electing anything beyond the default.
6. Open a Business Bank Account
Once your Articles are filed and you have your EIN, open a bank account in the LLC’s name. Keeping business money separate from personal money is one of the simplest ways to show the LLC is a distinct entity. Banks commonly ask for your filed Articles, your EIN confirmation, and your operating agreement, so bring all three.
Online banking is one option for small LLCs. Novo is one online option. Compare fees and features against your local bank or credit union, and see our guide to business bank accounts for new LLCs for what to check before you apply.
7. Skip the Annual Report (Yes, Really)
This is where South Carolina is simpler than many states. According to the South Carolina Department of Revenue’s corporate FAQs, South Carolina LLCs don’t file an annual report with the Secretary of State.
The Department of Revenue’s annual report and license fee also don’t apply to an LLC that isn’t taxed as a corporation. An LLC that elects corporate tax treatment files one with its tax return.
If you elect corporate tax treatment, for example by choosing S corporation status, check with the South Carolina Department of Revenue about what applies to you.
Doing It Yourself vs. Using a Formation Service in South Carolina
Do it yourself: Your first-year formation cost is the $110 state filing fee, plus a registered agent fee if you hire one. The EIN costs nothing. The work is one form, a registered agent choice, and an operating agreement you write or adapt.
With a formation service: You pay the $110 state fee plus the service’s own fee, which varies by provider and package. Our formation services comparison lists current prices.
A service can genuinely help if:
- You want someone to prepare and submit the paperwork for you
- You want a registered agent bundled in
- You want operating agreement templates and an EIN application handled for you
- You’re short on time and would rather pay to save it
If you want to compare, Bizee is one formation service that files on your behalf. Read what each package includes, and check whether the state fee is charged separately or folded into the price.
The part people miss: you don’t need a service to form a valid LLC. The state’s website and the IRS’s EIN tool do the same job.
Keeping Your South Carolina LLC in Good Standing
South Carolina’s ongoing paperwork is light, but it isn’t zero.
- Keep your registered agent current. If your agent or their address changes, check the Secretary of State’s website for how to update it so official mail still reaches you.
- Keep your records together. Store your Articles of Organization, operating agreement, EIN letter, and bank records in one place.
- Keep money separate. Pay business expenses from the business account.
- Watch your tax setup. If you elect corporate tax treatment, the corporate annual report described above may apply.
- Check local requirements. Cities, counties, and certain professions may have their own licensing rules. Ask your local government and check the Secretary of State’s website.
Curious how $110 compares with other states? Our LLC filing fees by state article lays it out.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in South Carolina?
According to the South Carolina Secretary of State, Division of Business Filings, the filing fee for the Articles of Organization is $110. An EIN from the IRS is free. A formation service or registered agent service is an optional extra cost.
Does a South Carolina LLC have to file an annual report?
No. According to the South Carolina Department of Revenue, South Carolina LLCs don’t file an annual report with the Secretary of State. The Department of Revenue’s annual report and license fee don’t apply to an LLC that isn’t taxed as a corporation. An LLC that elects corporate tax treatment files one with its tax return.
Do I need to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS, in minutes, for free, and that you never have to pay a fee for one. Apply only through IRS.gov.
Do I need a formation service to start an LLC in South Carolina?
No. You can file the Articles of Organization yourself with the South Carolina Secretary of State, Division of Business Filings. A service may save time or bundle extras such as a registered agent, but it isn’t required.
Where do I file the Articles of Organization?
You, or someone you authorize, file them with the South Carolina Secretary of State, Division of Business Filings. Check its website for current filing methods and processing times.
Your Next Step
Ready to file? Open the Articles of Organization form on the Division of Business Filings site, then read How to Incorporate Your Business for Free in 2026 for the money-saving moves that apply in every state.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
