South Carolina Title Transfer: Fees, Forms & Steps (2026)
To transfer a car title in South Carolina, you'll usually need a completed Form 400, the properly assigned existing title or other documents accepted for your situation, and the $15 title fee. Depending on the transaction, you may also owe the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), county vehicle property tax, and registration fees. The 45-day deadline applies to registration, not to the title transfer itself.
Transferring a car title in South Carolina depends on how you got the vehicle. Buying from a private seller, receiving a car from a family member, inheriting a vehicle, and bringing a car from another state do not all follow the same process.
There are also a few rules that are easy to miss. The 45-day registration deadline is not the same as the title-transfer requirement, and the process for an inherited vehicle depends partly on how the owners are listed on the title.
This guide explains the main situations and what to check before submitting your paperwork. If you bought a car directly from a private seller, you can also follow our detailed guide to registering a car bought from a private seller in South Carolina. For licenses, plates, and registration renewals, our complete South Carolina DMV guide covers the rest.
The Basics — What a Vehicle Title Transfer Actually Is
A vehicle title identifies the legal owner of a car. When ownership changes, the title records need to be updated through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV).
A title transfer is not the same thing as registering a vehicle. The title records ownership, while registration and a license plate allow you to operate the vehicle under South Carolina's registration rules.
You may need a title transfer when you:
- Buy a used car from a private seller or dealership
- Receive a vehicle as a gift or through a family transfer
- Inherit a vehicle after an owner's death
- Add or remove a co-owner
- Bring a vehicle you already own from another state
- Correct an ownership record or resolve a title problem
The documents and fees depend on which situation applies to you, so start with the section that matches your circumstances.
Documents You'll Need
The exact requirements vary by transaction, but these are the main items to check before applying.
| Form 400 | South Carolina's Title and/or Registration Application. |
| Existing title | For a previously titled vehicle, you generally need the title properly assigned to the new owner. |
| Bill of sale or buyer's order | SCDMV's title guidance calls for a signed bill of sale or buyer's order. Check the current instructions for your transaction before submitting your paperwork. |
| Title fee | The standard title fee is $15. |
| Infrastructure Maintenance Fee | This may apply when a vehicle is first titled or registered in South Carolina. |
| Identification | You may need acceptable identification and Form TI-006C if you do not have a South Carolina driver's license or ID. |
| Lien information | If the vehicle is financed or has a recorded lien, the lienholder's information and any required supporting documents must be handled correctly. |
| Property tax receipt and insurance information | These are generally needed when you are also registering the vehicle, rather than applying for a title alone. |
For a private purchase, make sure the seller completes the title assignment correctly, including the required purchase information and odometer reading when applicable.
Do not assume that having a bill of sale by itself replaces a properly assigned title.
You can find the current application and instructions on the SCDMV forms and manuals page.
Fees — What You'll Pay
The amount you pay depends on whether you are buying a vehicle, bringing in one you already own, or transferring ownership under an exemption.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard title fee | $15 |
| Expedited title service | $35 — in person at a branch only; SCDMV cannot expedite an application sent by mail |
| IMF on a qualifying purchase | 5% of the applicable value, capped at $500 |
| IMF for a vehicle already registered in another state by the same owner | $250 |
| Standard passenger-car registration | $40 — charged every two years, not yearly |
| Transfer of your own eligible license plate | $10 |
| SCDMV branch temporary plate (Form 60-A) | Small branch fee — confirm the current amount at dmv.sc.gov/fees |
| Registration, age 64 / age 65+ or qualifying disability | $38 / $36 |
| Hybrid / electric vehicle surcharge (on top of registration) | $60 / $120 |
These three don't overlap. The title fee, the registration fee, and the IMF are separate charges, and paying one never covers another. We checked every figure against the SCDMV fee schedule and S.C. Code §56-3-627 in October 2026. Fees do change, so give dmv.sc.gov/fees a quick look before you drive to a branch.
County vehicle property tax is another cost when registration is required. The amount depends on the county and vehicle, so there is no single property-tax figure that applies to every title transfer. Our South Carolina vehicle property tax guide explains how the bill is worked out and when it lands.
How the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee Works
South Carolina's Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, or IMF, is often confused with sales tax. For a qualifying vehicle transaction, the IMF is generally calculated at 5% of the applicable value, with a maximum of $500.
For a private sale, the calculation may use the purchase price less a trade-in, or the applicable value from a DMV-adopted used-vehicle publication, as provided by law.
The flat $250 IMF is different. It applies when the same owner brings a vehicle into South Carolina after it was previously registered in another state. It is not simply a lower fee for buying a used car from out of state.
Certain transfers are excluded from the IMF under state law, including qualifying transfers to defined immediate family members and certain legal heirs. Check the specific rules before assuming a transfer is exempt.
How to Transfer a Title After Buying From a Private Seller
This is the most common scenario. If you bought a car from a private seller in South Carolina, the title must be properly assigned and the new owner must complete the applicable title and registration process.
- Check the title — at a minimum, confirm that it shows the correct buyer information, purchase date, sale information, and the required odometer disclosure.
- Complete Form 400 — and prepare the applicable fees and supporting documents.
- If you're also registering the car — you will generally need to pay the county vehicle property tax and provide the required receipt, insurance information, and registration fee.
- Know the plate exception — there is a limited exception to the paid-tax-receipt requirement when transferring your own eligible license plate to a vehicle for the first time under the applicable rule.
Do not leave the title in the previous owner's name and assume the bill of sale is enough. South Carolina's title law requires the buyer to apply for a new title promptly after delivery.
For the complete private-sale process, including the steps for county property tax, registration, plate options, and the documents to prepare, see our South Carolina private-sale registration guide.
Transferring a Car as a Gift or Between Family Members
Giving a car to a family member does not remove the need to update the title. The new owner still needs to complete the applicable title-transfer process.
Who Counts as "Immediate Family" for the IMF
South Carolina's IMF law (§56-3-627) defines immediate family as the transferor's:
- Spouse
- Parents
- Children
- Sisters and brothers
- Grandparents
- Grandchildren
This is a specific list. A step-parent, in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin, or friend is not included in that definition simply because the vehicle is being given as a gift.
A Gift Is Not Automatically Exempt
There's another detail worth knowing: a gift is not automatically exempt from the IMF just because no money changes hands. Form 400 includes a bona fide gift option, but the existence of that checkbox does not, by itself, establish that every gift qualifies for an exemption. The statutory exclusions and the documents SCDMV may require must be considered.
If you are transferring a vehicle to someone who qualifies as an immediate family member, use the correct transaction information on Form 400 and confirm what supporting documents are required. If the recipient is a legal heir, legatee, or distributee, SCDMV's instructions direct applicants to consult the county Probate Court and provide the appropriate probate documents.
Do not confuse the IMF exemption with county vehicle property tax. They are separate issues, and a qualifying family transfer does not mean you can falsely certify that property taxes have been paid. South Carolina law provides a six-month driver's license suspension for falsely certifying that the required taxes have been paid (§56-3-110).
Inherited Vehicle — Transferring a Title in South Carolina
Inherited vehicles can require more paperwork than an ordinary sale. The correct process depends on whether the title names one owner or multiple owners, whether the owners are joined by "AND" or "OR," and whether a transfer-on-death beneficiary was named.
If the Title Has a Transfer-on-Death Beneficiary
South Carolina allows an eligible vehicle owner to designate a transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary. When the owner dies, the beneficiary can generally present a death certificate showing that the beneficiary survived all owners and then follow the normal title and registration process. The designation itself is made on Form TOD-1, filed with the original certificate of title and the $15 title fee.
A TOD designation is not available for every ownership arrangement. SCDMV says it can be used by a sole owner or by multiple owners whose title includes a right of survivorship, such as an "OR" relationship. It cannot be added to an "AND" ownership arrangement.
If Two Owners Are Listed on the Title
Check how the owners are joined.
- "OR" on the title — the surviving owner may generally act as if the deceased owner had not died. If the survivor wants the vehicle titled in one name, SCDMV directs the survivor through the applicable selling-a-vehicle process
- "AND" on the title — Probate Court direction is required before the ownership can be transferred following a co-owner's death
Do not assume that a death certificate alone is enough to change an "AND" title.
If the Deceased Person Was the Only Owner
If the vehicle was titled solely in the deceased person's name and there is no applicable TOD beneficiary, the Probate Court must direct the title process.
Two possible routes are a Personal Representative or a Small Estate Affidavit.
Personal Representative: A Personal Representative follows the Probate Court's documentation process and signs the title as the seller, identifying the representative capacity as required. The representative may also be able to sign as the buyer when obtaining a title in their own name.
Small Estate Affidavit: This route has an important limitation. It permits the vehicle to be titled only in the name of the person designated by the Probate Court. It does not authorize that person to sign the title over to someone else. If the plan is to transfer the vehicle directly to another person, do not assume the affidavit alone permits that.
South Carolina's small-estate procedure generally requires the probate estate to meet the statutory value limit, a 30-day waiting period after death, and other conditions. The current threshold is $45,000 under §62-3-1201, subject to the other requirements in state law. The affidavit must also be approved, countersigned, and filed as required.
SCDMV generally does not interpret or accept a will by itself as a substitute for the required title-transfer documentation. If you are handling an inherited vehicle, start with the official SCDMV guidance for inheriting a vehicle.
Transferring a Vehicle You Already Own From Another State
If you move to South Carolina with a car that you already own, the process is different from buying a vehicle from an out-of-state seller.
- Update your insurance — change your insurance information to your South Carolina address with an insurer licensed in the state.
- Contact your county auditor — give them the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the most recent registration card so the county can prepare the vehicle property-tax bill.
- Pay the county vehicle property tax — pay the county treasurer and keep the original paid receipt.
- Submit your paperwork to SCDMV — Form 400, your out-of-state title and/or registration, acceptable identification, insurance information, and any other required documents.
- Pay the applicable fees — the title and registration fees and the $250 IMF, if required.
SCDMV states that, in most cases, the cost is $305 per vehicle before county property tax. That example consists of the $250 IMF, $15 title fee, and $40 standard passenger-car registration fee. The total can be different for vehicles with other registration requirements, and SCDMV's moving-to-SC checklist lists every document to bring to the branch.
The $250 fee applies because the same owner is registering a vehicle in South Carolina after previously registering it in another state. If you are instead buying a vehicle from an out-of-state seller, the IMF calculation is generally based on the purchase transaction and may be 5% of the applicable value, up to $500.
Unless you're in the military. If you're on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, you don't pay the $250 — and neither does your spouse or your dependents. It makes no difference whether you own the car or lease it.
A credit for sales or use tax paid to another state may be available in qualifying cases. Check the South Carolina Department of Revenue's instructions for your particular transaction rather than assuming that tax paid elsewhere automatically removes the IMF.
There is one more detail to check when completing the paperwork: use the current out-of-state title number, not a previous title number. An incorrect number can cause a title-information problem and delay processing.
For the full process of registering after moving, see our South Carolina vehicle registration guide.
What If the Vehicle Has a Lien or Is Still Financed?
A lien means a lender or another party has a recorded security interest in the vehicle. If a vehicle is financed, the title process may involve the lienholder even when the buyer and seller have agreed to transfer ownership.
Before completing a transfer, confirm whether the lien has been satisfied and whether SCDMV's records show the correct lien information. A seller's statement that the loan has been paid is not a substitute for confirming the title status.
If the vehicle still has a recorded lien, SCDMV says changes to the owners or their ownership relationship cannot be made without involving the lienholder. The application and supporting documents must also show the lien information correctly.
New Lien-Release Deadlines Took Effect in October 2026
South Carolina Act 115 took effect on October 6, 2026, and changed the rules for lien releases.
After the lender confirms that the payment funds are good and the lien is fully satisfied, the lienholder generally must execute the release within:
- 10 business days when payment is received by paper
- 3 business days when payment is received electronically
Federal and state holidays are excluded from these periods. The law also addresses electronic delivery of the release and title, and prohibits the lienholder from charging a fee for executing the release.
That doesn't mean the whole process is free, though. The same law lets lenders and the companies that handle electronic titling charge up to $5 per transaction for placing or transmitting a lien in the state's electronic title system. So a small line item on your payoff paperwork is normal — it's the electronic filing behind the release, not the release itself.
The electronic-title system is required to be operational no later than March 31, 2027. Paper certificates of title may still be used or requested for casual vehicle sales between individuals under the law.
Contact the lienholder and SCDMV to find out what step remains. Do not try to correct the title by changing or crossing out the lien information yourself.
You can read the official text of South Carolina Act 115.
What If the Seller Lost the Title?
If you are buying a vehicle and the seller says the title is lost, do not assume you can apply for a duplicate in the seller's place.
South Carolina's duplicate-title rule generally allows the owner of record, or the owner's legal representative, to apply for the duplicate. A buyer cannot simply obtain a duplicate of a title that still belongs to the seller.
Ask the seller to resolve the missing-title problem before completing the purchase. The seller should follow SCDMV's duplicate-title process and provide the properly assigned title for the transfer.
Errors on a Title You Already Have
If you already have a title but the reassignment contains an error, the correct procedure depends on what was entered incorrectly. SCDMV has a TEA-1 form for certain title-reassignment errors. Do not use correction fluid, scribble over the entry, or alter the VIN or odometer information.
For a title that has an incorrect odometer reading, SCDMV has a separate correction process using Form TI-008 and supporting documentation. Both forms are on the SCDMV forms and manuals page.
Salvage, Rebuilt and Other Branded Titles
A vehicle with a salvage or other branded title may require additional documentation. The title brand is part of the vehicle's record, and a normal ownership transfer does not automatically remove it.
South Carolina recognizes brands such as Salvage, Salvage Flood, Salvage Fire, Junk, Lemon Law, and certain rebuilt designations. A salvage brand cannot simply be removed because the vehicle has been repaired or sold to another person.
If you are buying a salvage vehicle, check the exact brand shown on the title and confirm the required application and inspection or documentation process before paying for the vehicle. The applicable procedure depends on the vehicle's status and whether it is eligible to be titled for road use.
Use SCDMV's current title-brand instructions and the appropriate salvage forms rather than treating a branded title like a standard used-car title.
Deadlines — What Is the 45-Day Rule?
One common misunderstanding is that South Carolina gives every buyer 45 days to transfer the title. The rules distinguish between applying for the title and registering the vehicle.
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Buyer's title application | Apply promptly after delivery; the title law does not set a general 45-day title-application period |
| Registration after purchasing a vehicle | Generally within 45 days of the purchase date |
| Registration after moving a vehicle into South Carolina | Generally within 45 days, or immediately if the out-of-state registration has expired |
| Dealer's title filing | Generally within 45 days of the sale |
| Seller's notice of sale | Notify SCDMV promptly — it protects the seller from liability on the vehicle |
| Seller's plate | Transfer it to another vehicle or return it to SCDMV promptly; keeping it on a sold car is the classic mistake |
The 45-day registration period is important because late-registration penalties can apply. For a newly acquired vehicle, the published penalty schedule is:
- $10 for days 46–60
- $25 for days 61–75
- $50 for days 76–135
- $75 after that
The title application has a different standard. South Carolina law says the buyer must apply promptly after delivery. The transfer is not effective between the parties until the required title steps have been completed.
If you have purchased a vehicle, do not wait until the end of the registration period to begin the title paperwork. Complete the title and registration process as soon as you can.
Temporary Plates — The October 2026 Change
South Carolina's temporary-plate rules changed on October 6, 2026.
For temporary plates issued on or after that date, the new Form 60-A provides for a validity period of up to 60 days from the purchase date. The SCDMV branch fee is $10, and the plate must be purchased by the buyer, not the individual seller.
There is a transition rule for vehicles that had a temporary plate issued before October 6, 2026. If that plate needs to be replaced, SCDMV says the replacement expires 45 days after the purchase date and uses Form 45-A.
While operating the vehicle, the buyer must carry the bill of sale or title showing the purchase date, as required by the applicable rule. Temporary plates may not be recognized by other states, so check before relying on one for interstate travel. Our South Carolina temporary tags guide covers the day-to-day rules, including the 45-day to 60-day changeover.
For the current instructions and forms, use the SCDMV License Plates page. Its temporary-plate information is more current than the general registration page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard title fee is $15. You may also owe the IMF, registration fees, county vehicle property tax, and other applicable charges. The total depends on the vehicle and the type of transfer.
It depends on the relationship and the applicable exemption. South Carolina's statute lists specific immediate-family relationships, as well as certain transfers involving legal heirs, legatees, and distributees. A gift to a friend or a relative outside the statutory list is not automatically exempt just because no money changes hands.
Generally, the buyer cannot obtain a duplicate of a title that belongs to the seller. The owner of record or the owner's legal representative must follow the appropriate duplicate-title process before the vehicle can be transferred correctly.
Sometimes. A valid transfer-on-death designation or an eligible surviving co-owner arrangement may allow the title process to proceed without the same probate steps. If the deceased person was the sole owner and there is no applicable beneficiary, Probate Court direction is generally required.
The 45-day rule generally applies to registration. South Carolina's title law requires the buyer to apply for a new title promptly after delivery, rather than setting a general 45-day title-application period.
South Carolina allows an eligible owner to transfer their own plate to another vehicle of the same general type for a $10 fee. A paid county property-tax receipt is not required for the first transfer to that vehicle under the specific statutory exception, but later transfers to the same vehicle may require one.
The South Carolina title assignment and Form 400 do not contain a notary block. However, requirements for a title issued by another state can differ, so check the rules that apply to the title you are submitting.
Final Checklist Before You Submit the Application
Before sending or taking your paperwork to SCDMV, check that:
- The title is properly assigned and the ownership information is correct
- Form 400 is completed for the transaction you are making
- You have the required bill of sale or other supporting documents
- The correct IMF amount or exemption applies to your situation
- Any lien has been handled correctly
- You have the original paid county property-tax receipt if you are registering the vehicle and no exception applies
- You have the required insurance information and identification
- You have checked the current SCDMV instructions and fees
A straightforward purchase can be relatively simple, but an inherited vehicle, a family transfer, a lien, or a missing title can change the process. Checking the correct procedure before submitting the application can help you avoid delays and having to redo the paperwork.
Find the current application, instructions, and fees on the official SCDMV website at dmv.sc.gov.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify current requirements at dmv.sc.gov before submitting your application.