Fee to file with the state
$150
Source: sdlegislature.gov, October 2026
LLC cost guide · South Dakota
Starting an LLC in South Dakota (2026): Official Costs and the 3 Best Services
South Dakota, 2026: Mainstay Filing ($199), SD Registered Agent.org ($199) and South Dakota Registered Agent.co ($199) come out on top for forming an LLC, in that sequence. Formation: $150. Annual report: $55, every year. Three-year rank among states: 31st of 50.
The South Dakota fee sheet
31st
on the 50-state list, three-year basis
Rankings begin with the smallest bill. See the full 50-state table
Annual report
$55 / yr
The state sets the deadline as due during the entity's anniversary month. Source: sdlegislature.gov, October 2026
Late-report charge
$50
Source: sdlegislature.gov, October 2026
State charges, years one to three
$260
Only the state's own charges, across three years
The South Dakota picks
Five criteria set the order, led by three-year service charges and the filings covered; the methodology has the weights.
1. Mainstay Filing: best for an LLC that runs itself on paper
$199 a year on top of the $150 state fee
First on the list is Mainstay Filing, since one yearly $199 pays for the formation, the registered agent and the annual report, with renewal at $199.
SD Registered Agent.org is $200 cheaper across three years, but the coverage criterion pulls the other way.
Each year it files the annual report for you, and the $55 state fee is billed at cost.
What the price buys
- Your formation is prepared and filed
- Registered agent duties covered all year
- Your annual report is prepared and sent in
- Your EIN application goes in with the rest
- What the state charges is billed as it stands
In its favor
- Files the EIN application for you
- $199 at renewal, no increase
- A single $199 yearly price, the annual report included
Against it
- $100 a year more than SD Registered Agent.org's agent renewal
2. SD Registered Agent.org: best for owners who never leave South Dakota
$199 to form, then $99 yearly
Number 2 is SD Registered Agent.org: formation at $199 over the state fee, then the agent at $99 from year two.
Plan to submit the annual report on your own every year.
What the price buys
- Formation paperwork taken care of
- First year of agent service
In its favor
- $199 above the state fee
- A $99 renewal
- First-year agent duty is free
Against it
- Annual report is left to the owner
- The EIN application is outside the price ($99)
3. South Dakota Registered Agent.co: best for South Dakota-only LLCs
$199 to form, then $99 yearly
Number 3 is South Dakota Registered Agent.co: formation at $199 over the state fee, then the agent at $99 from year two.
Plan to submit the annual report on your own every year.
Price for price, it equals SD Registered Agent.org.
What the price buys
- Formation paperwork taken care of
- First year of agent service
In its favor
- A $99 renewal
- $199 above the state fee
- First-year agent duty is free
Against it
- Annual report is left to the owner
- The EIN application is outside the price ($99)
Prices side by side
| No. | Service | First-year fee | From year two | Service charges, three years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | SD Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit SD Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | South Dakota Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit South Dakota Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
We took these prices from the companies' sites on November 12, 2026. The $150 state fee is not part of any row.
LLC cost calculator
Pick a number of years and a service. The state portion follows the official schedule: $150 to form, then the annual report from year two.
South Dakota next to the states ranked around it
| Place | State | Three-year state fees |
|---|---|---|
| 29th | Vermont | $245 |
| 30th | New Jersey | $250 |
| 31st | South Dakota | $260 |
| 32nd | Connecticut | $280 |
| 33rd | Illinois | $300 |
For the other states, go to LLC costs by state.
What South Dakota charges to file in 2026
To create the LLC, submit the Articles of Organization to the South Dakota Secretary of State along with a $150 payment. It is billed at cost by every service below. The state gives a processing time of Paper 1 to 3 business days; online processed immediately.
Annual report: price and timing
South Dakota expects the annual report every year. Fee: $55. Last day to file: due during the entity's anniversary month. The late charge is $50.
Why the list reads this way
Of our five criteria, paperwork the price takes on (26%) is what put Mainstay Filing above SD Registered Agent.org in South Dakota.
South Dakota wants the annual report every year, so a price that includes filing it beat a cheaper one that leaves it to you.
South Dakota FAQ
How much does the state charge to start an LLC in South Dakota?
$150 is paid to the state. Our picks bill $199 over the state fee.
What fee goes with the South Dakota annual report?
$55 every year, filed due during the entity's anniversary month. A late filing adds $50.
Where does South Dakota stand on LLC fees?
South Dakota is 31st of 50 for three-year state fees, at $260; the smallest bill ranks first.
How long does the state take to approve a new LLC?
The usual wait is Paper 1 to 3 business days; online processed immediately.
Does South Dakota require a registered agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Which service should file my LLC?
Mainstay Filing first, then SD Registered Agent.org and South Dakota Registered Agent.co. What separates Mainstay Filing is paperwork the price takes on.
Sources for this chapter
- For South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services /, see sdsos.gov (opened August 2026)
- For South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services /, see sosenterprise.sd.gov (opened August 2026)
- For South Dakota yearly filing: Annual report: fee and, see sdlegislature.gov (opened October 2026)
- For South Dakota report due date, see sdlegislature.gov (opened August 2026)
- For SDCL 47-34A-203, see sdlegislature.gov (opened August 2026)
- For South Dakota formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see sdsos.gov (opened October 2026)
- For South Dakota formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see sdlegislature.gov (opened October 2026)
- For South Dakota registered agent statute, see sdlegislature.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Vermont Secretary of State fee schedule, see sos.vermont.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Vermont formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see legislature.vermont.gov (opened October 2026)
- For New Jersey DORES, Getting Registered, see nj.gov (opened October 2026)
- For New Jersey formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see pub.njleg.gov (opened October 2026)
- For New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, see njportal.com (opened August 2026)
- For New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, see njportal.com (opened August 2026)
- For Conn, see cga.ct.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Connecticut formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see business.ct.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Connecticut formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see business.ct.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division, see business.ct.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division, see business.ct.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Connecticut yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source, see business.ct.gov (opened October 2026)
- For 805 ILCS 180/5-5, see ilga.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see ilga.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see ilsos.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, see ilsos.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, see ilsos.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Processing, official source, see sdsos.gov (opened October 2026)
- Mainstay Filing, South Dakota service page: copied from the company site November 12, 2026
- SD Registered Agent.org, pricing page: copied from the company site November 12, 2026
- South Dakota Registered Agent.co, pricing page: copied from the company site November 12, 2026