South Carolina Nonprofit cost
Forming a nonprofit in South Carolina costs $25 in state fees in year one, then no recurring state fees for most small businesses.
Forming a South Carolina Nonprofit
You file Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit Corporation) with the South Carolina Secretary of State, Business Filings Division. The state fee is $25. See the official fee.
File it yourself with the state →
Every year after
South Carolina doesn't require a recurring report for a nonprofit corporation — No Secretary of State annual report; nonprofits with IRS 501(c) status are exempt from the SCDOR annual report and license fee.
Worth knowing
- An LLC costs $110 to form and has no annual report unless it is taxed as a corporation.
- A corporation pays $135 to form: the $110 filing fee plus a $25 CL-1 initial annual report.
- Corporations file an annual report with their SC1120 return and pay a license fee of at least $25 a year.
- Nonprofits cost $25 to form; 501(c) nonprofits are exempt from the annual report and license fee.
Registered agent
South Carolina requires a registered agent. Must name an agent for service of process with a South Carolina street address; the agent signs a consent. You can serve as your own agent if you have a qualifying address; paid services usually charge a yearly fee.
| Other filings | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | $25 | 120 days, non-renewable |
| DBA / assumed name (none) | — | No statewide DBA/assumed name registration was found; check city or county business licensing |
| Expedited processing | — | Not offered |
Fees last checked 2026-10-20 against South Carolina Secretary of State, Business Filings Division. States change fees — confirm on the linked page before you file.