How To Transfer a Car Title in South Carolina
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To buy or sell a car in South Carolina, you must learn how car titles are transferred.
To transfer a car title in South Carolina, you must:
- complete and submit a title application
- include a statement of vehicle operation
- sign the title and certificate
- sign the bill of sale
- pay the necessary fees
However, these requirements can vary based on several factors.
Read on to learn more about transferring a car title in South Carolina.
Key Takeaways
- You must head to the DMV to transfer a car title in South Carolina; you can't do it online.
- To transfer the title, you'll need the bill of sale, odometer reading, title application form, statement of vehicle operation, and any lienholder information.
- Transfering a title in SC costs $15 for processing and a 5% maintenance fee (up to $500).
Table of Contents
Can You Transfer a Car Title Online in South Carolina?
No. You cannot transfer a car title online in South Carolina.
To transfer your car title in South Carolina, you will need to visit a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle (SCDMV) office near you to get it done.
What Documents Do You Need To Transfer a Car Title in South Carolina?
Here’s a list of documents that you need to transfer your car title in South Carolina:
- Bill of Sale
- Odometer Reading
- Title Application (SCDMV Form 400)
- Statement of Vehicle Operation in South Carolina (SCDMV Form TI-006), if applicable
- Lienholder information, if applicable
How To Transfer a Car Title in South Carolina
South Carolina is one of the easiest states in the United States to transfer a title. You only need to ensure you have all the documents and requirements ready.
Here's how the process works:
1. Gather the necessary documents
As listed above, you will need a lot of documents to transfer your car title in South Carolina.
These documents will include the current title of the vehicle, bill of sale, odometer reading, sales price, date of sale, seller’s signature, and buyer’s signature.
Most of these documents will be submitted to you by the seller. You will need the seller’s signature on the completed title. The title must include:
- your name as the buyer
- address
- information about the lienholder, if there are any
2. Complete your certificate of title registration and application
Pick up and complete the title application (SCDMV Form 400).
The title and/or registration application will capture the vehicle information like the vehicle identification number, make and model, body style, and year.
There are provisions for odometer readings, and you can request a new plate, transfer, or exchange the plate with the form, too. You will also need to provide your name and address on the form. Upon completion of the form, you can send it to any SCDMV branch office near you or mail the form to:
SCDMV
PO Box 1498 or
10311 Wilson Blvd
Blythewood, SC 29016-0038
When do I need a statement of vehicle operation?
You might need to complete and submit a statement of vehicle operation in South Carolina (SCDMV Form Tl-006). This will only be required if you don’t have a South Carolina driver’s license or photo identification.
3. Pay the required fees and tax.
Pay the applicable fees for a title transfer in South Carolina including:
- Title fee: $15
- Registration fee: $40
- Infrastructure maintenance fee: 5% ($500 max)
- Sales tax: local sales tax rates
- Road-use fee for electric vehicles: $120
- Road-use free for hybrid vehicles: $60
To complete your title transfer in South Carolina, you need to pay a $15 processing fee and an infrastructure maintenance fee of 5% of the total purchase price of the vehicle, with a capped fee of not exceeding $500. You must confirm and negotiate with the DMV office if there are any other arising fees.
4. Submit your applications and finalize the process.
All that you have to do at this stage is to submit your applications and fees to any DMV office near you. You can also mail the paperwork in a self-addressed and stamped envelope to the following address:
SCDMV
PO Box 1498 or
10311 Wilson Blvd
Blythewood, SC 29016-0038
5. Request a new plate
During title transfer, your seller can’t leave their license plates with you. As transactions are completed, the seller takes off the license plates from the vehicle because these plates bear the seller's name and are, therefore, still tied to his identity.
You must request a new plate from the DMV office, including receipts for your property tax.
6. Confirm receipt of your new title and registration.
If everything was done accordingly, with no errors, mutilations, or erasure, then you are certain that you will get a new title and registration. Depending on your arrangement, your new title can be mailed back to you, or you can book to receive it from the DMV office.
Confirm the details of the titles and ensure that all details on the title were printed exactly as you submitted them.
Conclusion
Transferring a car title in South Carolina is not hard. You need to be careful about your paperwork and follow the process accordingly. Make sure your applications are done cleanly and correctly. Avoid strikeovers, erasure, and the use of correction fluid on most forms.
Try as much as possible to complete your application on time and review your title when you receive it to ensure there are no errors.
