South Carolina Filing Fees: RIA, IAR, Broker-Dealer & Form D (2026)
What it actually costs to register and renew in South Carolina. Fees are paid to the SC Office of the Attorney General, Securities Div..
RIA firm registration
$250
$50 above the national median
Per IAR
$110
$50 above the national median
Broker-dealer firm
$250
at the national median
Per BD agent
$65
$15 above the national median
Form D / Blue Sky notice
$300
$50 above the national median
Renewal
$250
Same as initial registration
Year-one cost scenarios in South Carolina
Solo state-registered RIA (1 IAR) in South Carolina
$250 firm + $110 IAR + $150 IARD system + $45 IAR system
$555
RIA with 3 investment adviser representatives
$250 firm + 3 × $110 IAR + IARD system fees
$865
Broker-dealer with 5 registered agents
$250 firm + 5 × $65 agent (excludes FINRA/CRD fees)
$575
Private fund Form D notice filing (South Carolina investors)
State Blue Sky notice fee, due within 15 days of first sale
$300
Filing fees only. Excludes compliance-manual drafting, Form ADV preparation, consulting, legal, E&O, and FINRA membership costs. Verify amounts with the SC Office of the Attorney General, Securities Div. before filing.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register as an investment adviser in South Carolina?
South Carolina charges $250 for investment adviser firm registration and $110 per investment adviser representative. Adding FINRA IARD system fees ($150 firm, $45 per IAR), a solo RIA should budget roughly $555 in year-one filing fees, excluding legal, consulting, and compliance-manual costs.
What is the South Carolina IAR registration fee?
$110 per investment adviser representative, paid through IARD to the SC Office of the Attorney General, Securities Div.. That is $50 above the national median.
What does a broker-dealer pay to register in South Carolina?
$250 for the broker-dealer firm and $65 per registered agent, paid through CRD to the SC Office of the Attorney General, Securities Div.. FINRA membership and CRD fees are separate.
What is the South Carolina Form D / Blue Sky notice filing fee?
$300 per offering for a Regulation D 506(b) or 506(c) notice filing when South Carolina residents invest. The notice is generally due within 15 days of the first sale in the state.
Does South Carolina charge the same fee to renew?
Yes — South Carolina charges the same amounts at annual renewal, so a solo RIA should plan on roughly $555 per year in recurring state and IARD fees.