LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › South Dakota

Forming an LLC in South Dakota for the first time

The South Dakota filing fee is $150. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $349.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your South Dakota checklist

  1. File the Articles of Organization. $150 to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
  2. Registered agent. 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. You may serve as your own agent if you meet that rule; Mainstay Filing includes one in its price.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. Annual Report, every year, $55. Due: Due during the entity's anniversary month each year.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $150 state fee

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Total for the first three years

$857 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $549; ZenBusiness $757; Bizee $558; LegalZoom $1,007 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in South Dakota?

Mainstay Filing. First year $349 including the $150 South Dakota filing fee; $254 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in South Dakota without a service?

Yes: file the Articles of Organization with the South Dakota Secretary of State for $150. Required registered agent: 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.

Sources