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South Carolina LLC formation
Start your South Carolina LLC, usually filed within 1 business hour
HourLLC usually prepares and files your South Carolina Articles of Organization with the South Carolina Secretary of State within one business hour of a complete order (Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM and Friday 9 AM to 12 PM Eastern; orders placed after hours are usually filed by 10 AM the next business day). You pay our $99 service fee plus South Carolina's $110 state filing fee, passed through at cost, so your total is $209. An EIN from the IRS and an operating agreement are included.
- State fee at cost, shown up front
- EIN included
- Documents by email
At a glance
South Carolina LLC: fees, speed and paperwork
Once we file, approval is up to the state. South Carolina is one of the faster states: typical approval for a standard online filing is 1 to 2 business days. South Carolina does not sell faster review for online LLC filings, so there is no rush option to add.
- State filing fee (paid to the state at cost)
- $110
- HourLLC service fee
- $99
- Your total
- $209
- We file
- usually within 1 business hour
- Typical state approval
- 1 to 2 business days
- Filing office
- South Carolina Secretary of State
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Certified copy (state cost only)
- LLC $4 / corporation $4
- Certificate of Good Standing (state cost only)
- $10
State fees and processing times as researched in October 2026 and subject to change by South Carolina. We confirm your exact state fee before we file. Certified copies, Good Standing certificates and state rush filing are optional and charged at checkout at the state's cost with no service fee.
Official South Carolina fee source: official state fee page. Fees checked October 23, 2026; the price at checkout is what the state charges us, including any card or portal fee it adds.
How it works
Forming an LLC in South Carolina with HourLLC
- Pick a name. Your South Carolina LLC name must include an LLC designator such as "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" and must not already be taken. We check availability before filing; give us a backup name on the form in case your first choice is taken.
- Fill out a 3 minute form. Members, a South Carolina registered agent, and your business address. South Carolina filings are public records, so a business address rather than a home address is a common choice.
- Review and pay. One total: $99 plus South Carolina's state fee at cost. No upsells.
- We usually file within 1 business hour. We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the South Carolina Secretary of State. When South Carolina approves it, we email your filing receipt and stamped Articles of Organization as PDFs and keep them in Documents at My account. Then we get your EIN.
After your South Carolina LLC is approved
South Carolina does not require an annual report for an LLC taxed as a partnership or sole proprietorship (the default). An LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation files with the Department of Revenue.
Your EIN is included: we apply to the IRS for it together with your state filing, so you can open a business bank account and file taxes under the LLC.
Almost every state requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who accepts official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have a South Carolina address, or use a commercial registered agent.
What every HourLLC order includes
- Name availability check before filing
- Articles of Organization usually filed with the state within 1 business hour
- EIN from the IRS (federal tax ID)
- Free operating agreement
- Filing receipt and stamped, approved Articles of Organization, emailed as PDFs
- Annual report reminders, free with every LLC
Choosing a South Carolina LLC formation service
Compare the all-in price, not the starting price. Ask each service: is the EIN included, is an operating agreement included, when exactly do you file, and what renews every year? With HourLLC the answer is one price ($99 plus South Carolina's fee at cost), EIN and operating agreement included, usually filed within 1 business hour, and no yearly fee for the LLC itself. See a side by side comparison.
Yearly cost after your South Carolina LLC is formed
South Carolina does not require an annual report for an LLC taxed as a partnership or sole proprietorship (the default). An LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation files with the Department of Revenue. We send free reminders before it is due.
Rules and costs
South Carolina LLC requirements
On this page: Name rules · Agent for service of process · EIN · Cost breakdown
South Carolina LLC name rules
A South Carolina LLC name must include “limited liability company”, “limited company”, “L.L.C.”, “LLC”, “L.C.” or “LC”. It also has to be different from names already on file with the state.
You can reserve a name before you file for $25 (good for 120 days). Most people skip this: we check the name and file right away, and you can give us a backup name.
South Carolina agent for service of process
The LLC must keep an agent with a street address in South Carolina. The agent can be a South Carolina resident, a South Carolina corporation, another LLC, or an out-of-state company allowed to do business in South Carolina.
On our order form you name your agent for service of process and their South Carolina street address. It can be you, if you have a street address in South Carolina, or a commercial agent for service of process service.
Getting an EIN for your South Carolina LLC
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. It comes from the IRS, not from South Carolina, and the IRS does not charge for it. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees and file business taxes. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
If your LLC will sell taxable goods or services or hire employees, you may also need to register for South Carolina state tax accounts. That is a separate step with the state.
South Carolina LLC cost breakdown
| State filing fee (one time) | $110 |
|---|---|
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 |
| Agent for service of process | $0 if you serve yourself; a commercial service charges its own yearly fee |
Add our $99 service fee once, at formation. There is no yearly HourLLC fee for the LLC itself.
Checked on official South Carolina sources on November 5, 2026: name rules. Rules and fees can change; we confirm them before we file.
FAQ
South Carolina LLC questions, answered
How much does it cost to form an LLC in South Carolina?
South Carolina charges a $110 state filing fee for a new LLC. HourLLC adds a flat $99 service fee, so your total is $209. That includes your EIN and an operating agreement. The state fee is passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
How long does it take to get an LLC in South Carolina?
We usually file within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours. After that, approval is up to the South Carolina Secretary of State. Typical approval for a standard online filing is 1 to 2 business days. Some filings take longer; the state sets the pace, not us.
Can I rush my South Carolina LLC?
South Carolina does not sell faster review for online LLC filings, so there is no rush option to add.
Does a South Carolina LLC have to file an annual report?
South Carolina does not require an annual report for an LLC taxed as a partnership or sole proprietorship (the default). An LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation files with the Department of Revenue. We send free reminders with every LLC so you do not miss it.
What is the South Carolina formation document called?
In South Carolina the document that creates your LLC is the Articles of Organization, filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State. We prepare it from your order, file it, and email you the stamped, approved copy as a PDF.
Do I need a registered agent in South Carolina?
Yes, like almost every state, South Carolina requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who can accept official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have a South Carolina address, or use a commercial registered agent and give us that address when you order.
Is the EIN really included?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs for free, and we prepare and submit the application for you together with your state filing, at no extra charge. You will usually need the EIN to open a business bank account or hire employees.
What does a South Carolina LLC name need to include?
A South Carolina LLC name must include "limited liability company", "limited company", "L.L.C.", "LLC", "L.C." or "LC", and it has to be different from names already on file with the state.
Who can be a agent for service of process in South Carolina?
The LLC must keep an agent with a street address in South Carolina. The agent can be a South Carolina resident, a South Carolina corporation, another LLC, or an out-of-state company allowed to do business in South Carolina.
How do I get an EIN for my South Carolina LLC?
An EIN is a free federal tax ID from the IRS. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your South Carolina state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
Other states
Forming an LLC somewhere else?
We file in all 50 states and DC at the same $99 service fee. Each state sets its own filing fee and speed.
Nearby states
Sources checked October 2026: South Carolina filing requirements