How To Transfer a Car Title in South Carolina
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Car title transfer can be difficult, especially if you need help understanding the process. However, it is one of the few things that prove that you own a vehicle, so you can’t avoid the process. You just need to learn.
Different states adopt different laws regarding car title transfer, so you shouldn’t expect the same steps in South Carolina as in North Carolina. 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, statement of vehicle operation, completed and signed title and certificate, and signed bill of sale. Don’t forget to pay the necessary fees. However, these requirements can vary based on a lot of factors.
Read on to learn more about transferring a car title in South Carolina.
Table of Contents
Can You Transfer a Car Title Online in South Carolina?
No. You cannot transfer a car title online in South Carolina. South Carolina makes provisions for online services, capturing the different needs of drivers in the state, but the service doesn’t capture car title transfer.
South Carolina’s online service includes exchanging plates, filing dealers’ complaints, obtaining duplicate registration certificates, renewing licenses, registration, and lots more.
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.
Now that you know the necessary documents to transfer your car title in South Carolina, let’s proceed with showing you how to get it done.
1. Gather the necessary documents
The first step to transferring a car title in South Carolina is by gathering all 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, which will also include your name as the buyer, address, and information about the lienholder, if there are any.
2. Complete your certificate of title registration and application
If you are done with the paperwork and gathering all the required documents, you can proceed with picking up and completing 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
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. If you have any of these, there is no need for a statement of vehicle operation in South Carolina.
3. Pay the required fees and tax.
In South Carolina, there are certain fees that you will need to pay to transfer a car title in the state. The applicable fees for a title transfer in South Carolina include but are not limited to a title fee, registration fee, infrastructure maintenance fee, or sales tax.
You must understand that hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles have their exclusive fees too. Most of these fees, like the infrastructure maintenance fee or sales tax, are different for every applicant.
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.
You are almost halfway done with your car title transfer in South Carolina. All that you have to do at this stage is to submit your applications and fees to any DMV, Texas office near you, or you can 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 for 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.
You must confirm the details of the titles and ensure that all details on the title were printed exactly as you submitted them.
You must understand that South Carolina has different title transfer laws that apply to inheriting vehicles, titling vehicles to trust, and lots more.
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.
