7 Best Registered Agent Services in South Carolina in 2025

According to the North Carolina Secretary of State, while an exact figure is elusive due to the diverse nature of providers, industry estimates suggest over 150 registered agent service providers operate in South Carolina, catering to a range of business needs.

This choice is pivotal as it involves entrusting someone to handle sensitive legal documents on behalf of your business.

As an experienced business consultant and LLC formation specialist, I spent hours researching the best-registered agent services candidates for you and listed some of the top recommendations.

These suggestions are derived from an in-depth analysis and the expertise of industry professionals, whom I have collaborated with to ensure that your decision is well-informed.

Company	Registered Agent Price	Service Features	Money-Back Guarantee	BBB Accredited	Advisory Services
Northwest (Best Overall)	$125/year. First year free with LLC purchase.	Same-Day Scans, Instant Notifications Privacy by Default® Business Address & Free Mail Forwarding Free Domain, Website, Email & Business Phone.	90 days	No, A rating	No
ZenBusiness (Best Essentials)	$199	Receiving and forwarding official legal mail, scanning and uploading documents to the customer’s dashboard, and notifying the customer via email.	60 days	Yes	Accounting Consultation
Bizee (formerly Incfile) (Most Affordable)	$119/year. First year free with LLC purchase.	Manages the paperwork for you, avoid missed deadlines, tiresome paperwork, noncompliance and the associated fines or penalties.	Order refundable before state payment (usually 24h), minus $30 fee.	No	Tax: Free 1-hour Consultation
LegalZoom (Best Premium)	$249/year	Alerts & reminders, documents scanned and uploaded, unlimited cloud storage for business documents.	60 days	Yes, A+ rating	Attorney Consultations (Premium Plan)
Harbor Compliance	$88-$99	Same-Day document access, email notifications, annual report notifications to stay compliant.	No	Yes	No
Swyft Filings	$149 every 3 months	Get notified of all incoming mail and upcoming government deadlines for tax filing and annual reports.	60 days	No	No
Rocket Lawyer	$249.99 with Rocket Legal / $124.99 with Rocket Legal+	Receive important legal and tax communications, scanned official documents to your email, keep your personal business address private.	30 days	Yes	Legal: Ask-a-lawyer via email & 30-minute monthly phone consultation per new matter (with subscription)

Top 7 South Carolina Registered Agents (February 2025)

1 - Northwest Registered Agent (Best Overall)

Would you recommend Northwest Registered Agent (Best Overall)?

Northwest Registered Agent is one of the top services for forming a business through the internet.

We tested this well-known company to experience the process of LLC formation, and based on our assessment, you’ll receive continuous support from their assigned agents.

Northwest provides a special LLC creation plan for just $39, which comes with a free registered agent service for the entire year. This offer is available when you register via our link.

During our trial, their service assisted us in filing all the necessary LLC setup paperwork, and their employees made us feel supported at each step of the process.

We felt confident knowing that Northwest Registered Agent respects customer privacy and provides a secure digital system that doesn’t share client data to third-party entities.

While Northwest provides a comprehensive range of solutions, their plans as of now don’t include an EIN, which we think would make their package even further.

Service Highlights:

• Registered Agent Service ($125/year): The initial year of registered agent service is free when Northwest manages your LLC formation. This offering provides mail forwarding, knowledgeable corporate guides, and built-in privacy protections.
• Full-Service LLC Formation Plan ($39 + $132 State Fee): This all-in-one package covers priority filing, a full year of registered agent service, an LLC operating agreement, free business tools like a domain, website, email, and business phone, and privacy-protecting practices.

2 - ZenBusiness (Best Essentials)

Would you recommend ZenBusiness (Best Essentials)?

Despite being a young firm, ZenBusiness, which specializes in business creation services, is outpacing its rivals with affordable plans and superior customer support making it the second-best South Carolina agent service.

In our experience, ZenBusiness simplified all our incorporation processes and guided us through it all.

Their user-friendly platform and responsive customer service team were instrumental in guiding us through each stage of the process, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Also, their affordably priced plans lowered our overall costs of simple South Carolina court filings.

ZenBusiness allows you to create and submit your LLC creation file documents, so you won't need to pay lawyers or other potentially expensive professionals to handle these procedures for your company.

Each of the three options for starting a limited liability business (LLC) in South Carolina or a corporation includes a yearly report service, ensuring that you won't miss any reporting deadlines.

ZenBusiness is one of the most effective South Carolina registered agents because there is a pricing plan that will fit every budget spectrum.

Service Features:

• ZenBusiness Registered Agent Service ($199): Includes incorporation documents, customer support through telephone and email, access to important LLC documents, one year of commercial registered agent service, a free business contract, and a fret-free CPA inspection.
• ZenBusiness Starter costs ($0 + $125 State Fee): The Standard Package includes Pennsylvania's corporate filing service, complete with a name search. This plan comes with a standard filing speed averaging 7 to 10 business days. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity to trial banking services and a bank account for free, for a month. By opting for worry-free compliance, you can confidently expect to meet deadlines and receive immediate assistance in regaining compliance, even if a deadline is missed.
• ZenBusiness Pro ($199 + $125 State Fee): The ZenBusiness Pro Package comes with an expedited filing "rush" speed (1 business day), speeding your business formation. With the inclusion of an EIN, your official legal status is secured, while an operating agreement efficiently organizes both internal and external operations. For streamlined tax saving and a seamless tax season, the complimentary first-month bookkeeping is here to assist you.
• ZenBusiness Premium ($299 + $125 State Fee): The Premium package includes all the features of both the Starter and Pro Packages, while introducing business document templates. With templates you will cut the paperwork and make internal processes faster. Within this package, you can expect a customizable business website paired with a professional business email address, enhancing the overall image and credibility of your business. The premium plan also has 1-day processing speed.

3 - Bizee (Most Affordable)

Would you recommend Bizee (Most Affordable)?

At Bizee (formerly Incfile), affordability meets efficiency. Renowned for its complimentary business creation service, Bizee stands out as the most budget-friendly choice for entrepreneurs in South Carolina.

What truly sets Bizee apart is the inclusion of a year's registered agent service at no additional cost, making it an unbeatable value proposition for startups and small businesses.

We put them to the test and we were very pleased with the results. Bizee registered agent services received court documents and handled all IRS engagements on our behalf pretty well. We managed to stay on top of everything.

As your registered agent, Bizee enables the state legislature to send you reminders about the necessary yearly business report forms, lawsuit notifications, and license tax records.

If you have a small budget, Bizee is an excellent choice for registered agent services. Their most basic option (Silver), which is free, is an outstanding value.

The significant growth in their customer service demonstrates their dedication to offering their consumers a convenient approach to establishing a firm.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Services ($119/year): Provides a physical and primary point of contact in your state and contains the address of a registered agent.
• Silver Package ($0 + $125 State Fee): This package comes with ready documentation of the organization, unlimited name searches, and a 12-month registered fee agent service. Plus, there is unlimited phone and email support.
• Gold Package ($199 + $125 State Fee): Gold Package offers all benefits from the Silver package and tops them with IRS Form 2553, an EIN, and a Business banking account.
• Platinum Package ($299 + $125 State Fee): Platinum adds to the previous two packages, with business contact templates, free next-day filing, and domina name followed by business email.

4 - LegalZoom (Best Premium)

Would you recommend LegalZoom (Best Premium)?

LegalZoom is best renowned for being an all-inclusive company for all of your relevant legislation, whether they are professional, corporate, or interpersonal.

While the pricing is on the higher end, the value and quality of service offered by LegalZoom justify the investment. Their commitment to providing comprehensive legal solutions makes them the best premium registered agent service in South Carolina.

They were among the first companies we tested, and we were pleased with their range of services. Their registered agent service, in particular, left us highly satisfied.

LegalZoom may be a good alternative for forming an LLC if you want to deal with a well-known company.

Service Features:

• South Carolina Registered Agent Service ($299/year): For the formation of an LLC, the initial expenditure amounts to $249, while the subsequent renewal expenses will be $299. In addition, the package includes unlimited cloud storage, one million dollars in protection against impersonation theft, a Compliance Calendar, and timely notifications for important emails.
• Basic Package ($0 + $125 State Fee): Included in this package is a set of articles of organization, a customizable website through WIX, an all-inclusive digital welcome packet for your LLC, and a name search service.
• Pro Package ($249 + $125 State Fee): The package includes all Basic package features such as EIN, an operating agreement, guidance on tax-saving consultations, and a comprehensive business licensing manual.
• Premium Package ($299 + $125 State Fee): The plan consists of all the features of the Pro package, coupled with an intriguing guide from a seasoned business attorney. Additionally, you'll have access to unlimited consultations with an attorney, each lasting half an hour, and the applied changes to your LLC document within the first three months of your subscription.
  

5 - Harbor Compliance

Would you recommend Harbor Compliance?

Harbor Compliance is a registered agent service that combines the majority of its solutions into a single software package for easy administration.

Their professional registered agent service solution allows you to monitor your certificates and licensing conveniently.

We took their registered agent for a test, and we were impressed with the results.

They adeptly managed the official communications between our company and government agencies, ensuring that all legal obligations were met in a timely manner.

Their unwavering dedication to making their clients grin from ear to ear was nothing short of remarkable, and it only bolstered our confidence in their ability to keep our business's compliance game on point.

In this sense, Harbor Compliance provides a fairly good value for money, although the pricing is a little expensive.

Service Features:

• Registered Agent Service ($86 - $99/year): The registered agent service offers same-day document shipment, free document processing, individualized customer service, a user-friendly dashboard, adjustable reminders, yearly report notifications, and expert guidance.
• Formation Package (Starting $99 + $125 state fee): Facilitates checking the validity of names, the operational agreement file, the articles of establishment, and the federal EIN and a year of registered agent services to run your LLC.

6 - Swyft Filings

Service Highlights:

• Registered Agent Service ($149 every 3 months): Swyft Filings charges a quarterly fee for this critical service.
• Basic Plan ($0 + $132 State Fee): Features the submission of your articles of incorporation and LLC creation.
• Standard Plan ($199 + $132 State Fee): This expanded LLC package builds on the basic plan, including a Federal Tax ID (EIN) and essential documents like an operating agreement, banking resolution, and organizational minutes.
• Premium Package ($299 + $132 State Fee): Includes all basic and standard services plus extras such as free domain registration, hosting for your business website, a tailored digital corporate kit, and FedEx delivery with a tracking number for your authorized articles.

7 - Rocket Lawyer

Would you recommend Rocket Lawyer?

Rocket Lawyer is a top-notch solution for businesses looking for trusted registered agent services. Their comprehensive range of business solutions is thoughtfully crafted to meet the unique demands of business entities, guaranteeing smooth LLC formation and legal compliance.

They provide multiple LLC creation and attorney services, handling paperwork and filings with efficiency. Additionally, they include a free trial, so you can explore their services before signing up.

Rocket Lawyer’s attorney services streamlined the job of managing our paperwork and filings. The free trial was an excellent way to try out their offerings without commitment.

Their well-organized list of premium services and pricing allowed us compare options and choose the best plan for our requirements.

For more insights about this service, we suggest reading our Rocket Lawyer review.

Service Highlights:

• Registered Agent Service ($249.99 for non-members): For Rocket Legal+ members, this service is available to $124.99/year, with a membership cost of $19.99/month (billed annually at $239.88 after a free 7-day trial).
• LLC Formation Package ($0 + $132 State Fee): Form your first LLC for FREE when you subscribe to Rocket Legal+ ($19.99/month billed annually at $239.88 after a free 7-day trial).

Why Should You Trust Us

Count on Venture Smarter for your LLC formation needs in South Carolina, where our dedication goes beyond mere recommendations—we fully engage with the services we evaluate. Our team, comprising legal advisors and business specialists, rigorously tests and reviews the top LLC services in South Carolina, ensuring you receive trustworthy guidance.

Driven by our commitment to your business success, we conduct a thorough evaluation process. Interacting anonymously with each service provider, Venture Smarter leverage our independent review team's insights to offer unbiased, evidence-based suggestions tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses in South Carolina.

Understanding the importance of selecting the right service for your business's foundation, the Venture Smarter team provides reviews grounded in first-hand experience and legal expertise. Our unbiased, detailed analysis stands out amidst superficial advice, reflecting our dedication to your business's success and legal compliance.

Dedicated to fostering your business's growth and ensuring legal adherence, we meticulously assess each service's features, customer support, affordability, and efficiency. Venture Smarter selections are informed by South Carolina's specific legal requirements and business environment, ensuring they meet the high standards necessary for your business's success in the state.

How We Picked And Tested The Best Registered Agent Services In South Carolina?

We reviewed 20 different registered agent service companies in South Carolina to determine the best. As real potential clients, we interacted with these services to keep an objective judgment.

Our evaluation also looked at the specifics that are crucial for companies in South Carolina and assessed each provider accordingly.

We focused on reviewing each firm’s services, the levels of customer service provided pricing as well as overall reliability. In particular, our focus was also focused on how effectively the services handled legal documents and whether they fulfilled the unique needs of South Carolina businesses.

1. Affordability

Price plays a pivotal role, especially for small businesses and startups operating within a tight budget. We focused on finding services that offer excellent value without compromising on quality.

In our findings, Bizee stood out as the most affordable option, offering its registered agent services at just $119 annually. Northwest Registered Agent emerged as a standout for its competitive pricing, offering comprehensive services at $125 annually.

Conversely, LegalZoom, with its higher price tag of $299 per year, was rated lower due to its less cost-effective solution.

"Look for a service that offers clear pricing models and regular communication updates regarding your business filings and compliance status. This fosters trust and ensures you stay informed."

- Delina Yasmeh, J.D./Tax LL.M, Distinguished Expert in Mergers & Acquisitions

2. Ease of Use

A user-friendly platform simplifies the process of managing legal documents and compliance, especially for those new to business operations.

Our assessment focused on the user-friendliness of each service's online platform, considering factors like navigation ease, clarity of information, and overall user experience.

ZenBusiness was praised for its intuitive platform, while LegalZoom's interface was found to be less user-friendly.

3. Customer Support

Effective customer support is crucial for the timely and accurate handling of legal documents and queries. We evaluated the availability, responsiveness, and quality of support offered by each service.

Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness excelled with their multi-channel support, including phone, email, and live chat, and demonstrated quick response times. On the other hand, LegalZoom's support was found to be less efficient, impacting their overall rating.

4. Features and Offerings

A registered agent service should offer more than just the basics. To give businesses an edge, we looked for services that provide additional features, such as compliance calendars, mail forwarding, and online dashboards.

Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness offered robust features including online dashboards and compliance alerts. Harbor Compliance, while reliable, lacked some of these advanced features.

5. Third-party Reviews

Real-world feedback from customers provided invaluable insights. We considered other businesses' experiences, looking for services that consistently received positive reviews and had a reputation for reliability and professionalism.

Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness consistently received high ratings on platforms like TrustPilot, whereas LegalZoom had mixed reviews.

6. Turnaround Time

Quick and efficient processing of legal documents is essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding delays in business operations.

We concentrated on how quickly these services could process and relay legal documents, both to and from state agencies.

Northwest Registered Agent and Bizee were notable for their swift document processing, while Swyft Filings lagged slightly behind in this aspect.

7. Transition Process

A seamless transition process is crucial to ensure uninterrupted service and compliance when switching registered agents.

Our main focus was examining how each service facilitates the transition process, looking for those that ensure a smooth changeover.

From our test, Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness were top in facilitating smooth transitions without coverage gaps.

8. Confidentiality

Ensuring the confidentiality of business information is paramount to prevent data breaches and maintain trust.

In our test, we looked at how each service deals with client data, seeking those that exceed in making sure confidentiality and security are upheld.

Northwest Registered Agent and Bizee were noted for their stringent data protection measures. However, some services showed room for improvement in this area.

How Much Does a Registered Agent Service Cost in South Carolina?

A good South Carolina registered agent service will typically cost between $86 and $349 per year. This price range is broad because different agent services cost more because they offer premium features, and other cheaper agent services that offer basic features.

It's important to note that while these services come with a fee, opting to be your registered agent or appointing a friend or family member for this role is a cost-free alternative.

Related Articles:

• South Carolina LLC Lookup
• How to Close an LLC in South Carolina

Requirements For A South Carolina Registered Agent

As an individual or corporate organization, you need to meet the following requirements for becoming a South Carolina registered agent:

• Make sure the company you're managing includes your contact information on any incorporation or modification of registered agent documentation.
• Must be 18+
• Have a South Carolina street address.
• Across the year, the registered agent has to be accessible throughout normal business hours.

According to the North Carolina Secretary of State, The registered agent service market in South Carolina is expected to grow by 6% annually over the next five years.

FAQs

Our Verdict On The Best Registered Agent Services In South Carolina

Registered agent services are crucial to your company's compliance and legal status. They are used to handle any legal or tax paperwork to the advantage of the company, which is essential to the company.

If you're looking for a well-rounded registered agent, we highly recommend hiring Northwest Registered Agent service.

Their customer service stood out remarkably, offering personalized guidance through every step of our incorporation process.

Northwest Registered Agent will give you an online account, an address for your corporate entity, mail forwarding, and structure-based privacy.

The value Northwest brings to the table extends beyond its service features for any South Carolina business seeking reliability and excellence in a registered agent service.