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LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Lesson 1 · South Dakota

How to Start an LLC in South Dakota (2026): a 7-Step Lesson and the 3 Best LLC Services

Mainstay Filing ($199), SD Registered Agent.org ($199) and South Dakota Registered Agent.co ($199) earned the top three grades for setting up an LLC in South Dakota in 2026, in that order. Work through 7 steps below; the state's own fee is $150, plus $55 for the annual report.

Taught by the LLC Schoolhouse editors

Before you begin

What the state charges$150Checked against sdlegislature.gov, October 2026
Annual report$55 a yearPay and file by the date given as due during the entity's anniversary month
State total for years 1 to 3$260Filing plus recurring state fees
Steps7Numbered below

In this lesson

  • How much South Dakota charges to form an LLC, and who receives the filing
  • What the registered agent rule asks of you
  • What comes after formation
  • The services we recommend

South Dakota: the services that earned a grade

The order follows five published criteria; read how we grade for the details.
Top of the class

1. Mainstay Filing: best for a hands-off first year

$199 yearly, renewing at $199

Mainstay Filing comes first, and here is why: one yearly price of $199 does three lesson steps for you: the filing, the registered agent and the annual report.

Three years here cost $200 more than SD Registered Agent.org, in return for doing more of the work.

That includes the annual report, with the state's $55 billed at cost.

What the price covers

  • Filing with the state
  • Registered agent for twelve months
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application
  • State fee added at cost

Marks in its favor

  • One yearly price of $199, with the annual report included
  • The EIN step is in the price
  • The same $199 every year

Where it loses points

  • Costs $100 more per year from year two
In-state service

2. SD Registered Agent.org: best for founders staying in South Dakota

$199 in year one, $99 after

SD Registered Agent.org lands in second place, and the reason is clear: a $199 formation fee, then $99 a year to keep the agent.

Its price leaves out the annual report, so plan to file that yourself every year.

What the price covers

  • Your South Dakota formation is prepared and filed
  • The first year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • $199 plus the state fee
  • $99 yearly from year two
  • The first agent year is included

Where it loses points

  • The annual report filing is not included
  • A $99 add-on for the EIN application
In-state service

3. South Dakota Registered Agent.co: best for another South Dakota choice

$199 in year one, $99 after

South Dakota Registered Agent.co lands in third place, and the reason is clear: a $199 formation fee, then $99 a year to keep the agent.

Its price leaves out the annual report, so plan to file that yourself every year.

On price it is level with SD Registered Agent.org.

What the price covers

  • Your South Dakota formation is prepared and filed
  • The first year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • The first agent year is included
  • $199 plus the state fee
  • $99 yearly from year two

Where it loses points

  • The annual report filing is not included
  • A $99 add-on for the EIN application

Compare the picks

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2SD Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit SD Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3South Dakota Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit South Dakota Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Company prices as posted on November 13, 2026. The state fee ($150) is not counted.

Starting an LLC in South Dakota, one step at a time

  1. Step
    1

    Come up with a name

    Before filing, search the business records at the South Dakota Secretary of State so you know the name is not already on the South Dakota register.

    Jot down two backup names before you search.

  2. Step
    2

    Appoint a registered agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. A commercial registered agent listed with the state, a noncommercial agent (an individual or entity with a South Dakota address), or the title of an office in the company.

    The address has to be an actual street address or rural route box number in South Dakota, plus a South Dakota mailing address if it differs.

    Each of the picks above is able to act as your registered agent.

    Where this comes from: Checked against sdlegislature.gov, October 2026

  3. Step
    3

    File it on your own, or hand it off

    Without a service you pay $150. With one of our graded picks you pay $199 more and skip the forms.

  4. Step
    4

    Hand in the Articles of Organization

    Your formation filing is the Articles of Organization; take it, plus $150, to the South Dakota Secretary of State. Expect processing to take Paper 1 to 3 business days; online processed immediately.

    Where this comes from: Checked against sdlegislature.gov, October 2026

  5. Step
    5

    Apply for an EIN

    Once approved, the LLC can get a federal tax ID, the EIN, from the IRS. A business bank account will need it. Mainstay Filing includes the EIN application in its yearly price.

  6. Step
    6

    Write an operating agreement

    Write down ownership and decision rules in an operating agreement. It is an internal paper and no part of the South Dakota filing.

  7. Step
    7

    Keep the LLC active

    South Dakota wants the annual report every year, due due during the entity's anniversary month, and the fee is $55. Miss the deadline and $50 is added.

    Where this comes from: Checked against sdlegislature.gov, October 2026

The cost of this lesson

StepPaid toTotal
Forming the LLCPaid to the state$150
Annual reportPaid to the state$55 every year
Missing the deadlinePaid to the state$50
Optional serviceThe provider$199 to start
State fees for three yearsPaid to the state$260
The three-year state figure is the filing, the reports due in years two and three and any yearly minimum tax; service fees are separate.

Behind the ranking

Homework the price handles carries 33% of the report card, and that is where pulled ahead in South Dakota.

South Dakota wants the annual report every year, so a price that files it beat a lower price that leaves the job to you.

Questions students ask

What will I pay to set up an LLC with South Dakota?

$150 goes to the state. If you hire a service, add $199.

Which form creates the LLC?

Look for the Articles of Organization; the South Dakota Secretary of State is where it gets filed.

Is a registered agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

How long does South Dakota take to process the filing?

Plan on Paper 1 to 3 business days; online processed immediately.

What does South Dakota require each year?

Keep an eye on the annual report: $55, every year, due during the entity's anniversary month.

Can I form the LLC without a service?

Nothing stops you from doing it yourself: the state wants $150, and you must also name a registered agent.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

By grade: Mainstay Filing, SD Registered Agent.org and South Dakota Registered Agent.co. Mainstay Filing is first because you pay $199 each year and the formation, the registered agent service and the annual report all get done.

Up next

Class references

  1. Homework check for South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services /: the facts come from sdsos.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  2. Homework check for South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services /: the facts come from sosenterprise.sd.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  3. Homework check for South Dakota yearly filing: Annual report: fee and: the facts come from sdlegislature.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  4. Homework check for South Dakota report due date: the facts come from sdlegislature.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  5. Homework check for SDCL 47-34A-203: the facts come from sdlegislature.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  6. Homework check for South Dakota formation fee: Filing fee, official source: the facts come from sdsos.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  7. Homework check for South Dakota formation fee: Filing fee, official source: the facts come from sdlegislature.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  8. Homework check for South Dakota registered agent statute: the facts come from sdlegislature.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  9. Homework check for Processing, official source: the facts come from sdsos.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  10. Mainstay Filing, South Dakota service page, as it appeared on November 13, 2026
  11. SD Registered Agent.org, pricing page, as it appeared on November 13, 2026
  12. South Dakota Registered Agent.co, pricing page, as it appeared on November 13, 2026