Table of Contents Starting How to Title the a Journey Vehicle in South Carolina 3 How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Car Title in South Carolina 8 How to Change the Address on a South Carolina 4 Car Title 11 Salvage Titles in South Carolina 11 14 Page 2 Car-Title.org
How to Title a Vehicle in South Carolina If you purchase a new or used vehicle or are gifted a vehicle in South Carolina, then you must obtain a South Carolina title within 45 days of the purchase date. This time limit is the same for applicants who are transferring a title. If you purchase a new vehicle, then you will need to get a new car title. But if you are buying a used vehicle or if you sell a vehicle, then you will need to transfer the title. Whenever a vehicle changes owner, the car title must be transferred to the new owner. For drivers to title a vehicle in South Carolina, they must do so through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) either in person or by mail. When you title a vehicle, you will need to pay a registration fee of $15. You can complete the process successfully by following the below steps. Page 3 Car-Title.org
What do I need to title a vehicle? In South Carolina, you must obtain a vehicle title for the vehicle to belong to you legally. When a vehicle is sold, the seller is required to provide the buyer with a car title so that he or she can submit it to the local SCDMV branch office. Once filed, the buyer can request a new car title. If you purchase a vehicle from a car dealership, then they will forward your title to the SCDMV on your behalf. Before you can apply for a car title either in person or online, you will first need to pay your county s vehicle property tax at your county treasurer s office. You must pay in-person at your county treasurer s office unless you live in one of the below counties, as may pay your taxes online: Beaufort County Berkeley County Charleston County Chester County Darlington County Dorchester County Page 4 Car-Title.org
Georgetown County Pickens County Greenville County Richland County Horry County Spartanburg County Lexington County York County You will also have a one-time $150 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF). Once the taxes and the one-time fee is paid, you are ready to purchase a car title or car transfer. Page 5 Car-Title.org
How to Get a Car Title in Person For applicants to apply for a car title or a car title transfer in person, they can do so by finding their local SCDMV branch office here. Once there, they will need to provide the following: A completed and signed South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Title Application (form 400) The name of their liability insurance company Title and plate transfer. Title only. Leased vehicle. Also, if there is a lien on your vehicle, then you will need to fill out Section D of the application. Receipt of their paid vehicle property tax for the county they reside Payment for the $15 registration fee If you are titling a car in person, then you may pay for the registration fee with cash, check, debit or credit card at any SCDMV branch office. But, the credit or debit card must be in your name. Debit and credit cards in the name of a business or company that you represent will not be accepted. NOTE: Regardless if you are getting a new car title or transferring a title, you will need to fill out form 400. But, you must be sure to check the box that you are applying for, such as: A new title and registration. How to Get a Car Title by Mail If you plan on submitting a new car title in South Carolina by mail, then you will need to provide the same information listed above. The requirements are the same for both methods. But, if you mail your title application form, then you must pay with a check or money order made out to the SCDMV. Cash payment will not be accepted. Once your application is completed and signed, you may mail your documents, application and payment to: SCDMV Titles and Registration PO Box 1498 Blythewood, SC 29016-0024 Late Fees for Titling a Vehicle Regardless if you are getting a new car title or transferring a car title, failure to register for a car title within 45 days of the purchase date, or the date first operated in South Carolina, will result in penalty fees. Late fees are Page 6 Car-Title.org
separate from registration fees, which will also need to be paid. The late fee schedule is as follows: Court order 46 to 60 days late: $10 61 to 75 days late: $25 76 to 135 days late: $50 Over 135 days late: $75 Applicants can change the name on their car title at any SCDMV branch or by mail by sending the above information to: SC Department of Motor Vehicles Alternative Media PO Box 1498 Blythewood, SC 29016-0035 For your application to be processed, you will need to pay the $15 application fee. How to Change a Name on a Car Title Many instances result in an applicant needing to get a name change on their car title, such as getting married or divorced. But, before you change your name with the SCDMV, you must change your name with the Social Security Administration. You must do so at least 48 hours before your attempt to change your name with the SCDMV. For applicants to change their name on their car title, they must complete and sign the Application for Name and/or Address Change (Form 4057). Then, they must submit any of the following documentation that applies to them: Marriage licens Divorce decree Page 7 Car-Title.org
How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Car Title in South Carolina If you have a lost, stolen, misplaced or damaged car title in South Carolina, you will need to apply for a replacement through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). You can apply for a replacement car title in South Carolina one of three ways: online, by mail or in person at any SCDMV branch office. Whichever method you choose, you will need to pay the $15 replacement car title fee. In South Carolina, a vehicle owner or a lien holder can apply for a replacement car title, but if there is a lien on your car, the replacement car title will be sent to the lien holder. Otherwise, your replacement title will be mailed directly to your address that the SCDMV has on file. If you would like to verify or correct your mailing address before you request a replacement car title, you can do so here. Page 8 Car-Title.org
How to Replace a Car Title Online The quickest and easiest way for applicants to purchase a replacement car title in South Carolina is online. Residents can do so through the SCDMV here. Either the vehicle owner or the lien holder can purchase a replacement car title online. When you purchase a replacement car title online in SC, you will need to answer specific questions, including: ZIP code of businesses physical address. Vehicle identification number (VIN). Once all of the information is filled out, you will need to pay the replacement fee with a credit card. Whether you are the lien holder or vehicle owner. Whether the vehicle owner is a business or an individual. The issue date. Your Social Security Number (SSN). The vehicle identification number (VIN). If you are a business applying for a duplicate car title in South Carolina, you will need to provide information, including the: Customer number. Vehicle number. Note: If you purchase a replacement car title online, you will be charged $1 plus a 1.7 percent service fee. The service fee is not an SCDMV fee but rather a fee for processing the credit or debit card. If you would like to avoid paying this service fee, you may purchase a replacement car title with cash at any SCDMV branch office. Page 9 Car-Title.org
How to Replace a Car Title in Person Before you can replace your car title at an SCDMV branch office, you will need to find the closest location to you, which you can do here. Most SCDMV offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, but office hours vary on holidays. To get a replacement car title, you must provide all of the following: Completed and signed Application for Duplicate Title (SCMDV Form 400-D). Be sure to present the vehicle odometer mileage reading and any available lien information, if applicable. Payment for the $15 replacement fee You may pay with cash, debit or credit card. If you pay with a check, you must make the check out to the SCDMV. Acceptable form of identification, such as a South Carolina driver s license How to Replace a Car Title by Mail Finally, you can apply for a car title replacement by mail, though it will be the slowest option. To get a replacement title by mail, you will need to provide all of the above information. You must mail the form and payment to the address below: SCDMV Titles P.O. Box 1498 Blythewood, SC 29016-0044 When you include your payment, do not mail cash. You will need to pay with a check or money order made out to the SCDMV. Can Someone Other Than Me Pick Up My Placement Car Title? Yes, someone other than you can pick up your South Carolina car title replacement. If you work for a company and you would like an employee to pick up a car title, you must complete the Agent Authorization for Title Pick-up (SCDMV Form MV-80). If you are picking up a car title for another person, you will need to fill out the Third-Party Title Pick Up form (SCDMV Form MV-80A). Note: If you need to expedite a replacement title, you can only do so in person at your local SCDMV branch office, but you will be charged a $20 expedite fee. Page 10 Car-Title.org
How to Change the Address on a South Carolina Car Title In South Carolina, you must change the address on your car title within 10 days of moving to a new address within the state. Through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV), you can update your address one three ways: online, by mail or in person at your local SCDMV branch office. When you update your address with the SCDMV, your vehicle and driver records is automatically updated with the state. It is essential to know that you will not get new documents that show your new address until you obtain and fill out a change of address form through the SCDMV. Once you have received an application, you must complete and sign it. Then, you will need to submit your application to the SCDMV for processing. There is no cost to update your address. After the paperwork is processed, you will receive your updated car title. Page 11 Car-Title.org
How to Change the Address on an SC Car Title Online The quickest way to change the address on a South Carolina car title is online through the SCDMV, and you can do so here by clicking on Change Your Address. Through the online portal, you can also update, add or remove an address on your DMV file. If you choose the online method, you will need to provide either your driver s license number or your customer number after clicking the Next button at the bottom of the page. Additional information that you must prove includes your: Page 12 Car-Title.org
Driver s license number. Also, the title and registration information that you will need to provide to change an address include: Social Security Number (SSN). Your customer number. Date of birth. Your license plate number. Once you update your address online, you will receive an email confirmation. The SCDMV will mail you your new vehicle registration card to your new address. How to Change the Address on an SC Car Title in Person In South Carolina, you can update the address on your car title in person at any SCDMV branch office. You can find the closest branch office to you here. Before showing up at an SCDMV branch office, you are going to want to make sure that it is open. Most SCDMV branch offices are open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., but many locations are open on weekends. To change the address on your car title, you will need to complete and sign the Application for Name and/ or Address Change (SCDMV Form 4057). Information that you will need to provide on the form includes: Your vehicle identification number (VIN). The make of the vehicle. How to Change the Address on an SC Car Title by Mail If you choose to change your address on a car title by mail in South Carolina, you must also complete and sign the SCDMV Form 4057. Then, you will need to mail it to the below address: SCDMV Alternative Media PO Box 1498 Blythewood, SC 29016-0035 Once the SCDMV has received your application, it will be processed and your record will be updated. Your full name. Your date of birth. Page 13 Car-Title.org
Salvage Titles in South Carolina In South Carolina, you may need to apply for a salvage title if it is determined that your vehicle is damaged beyond repair. After your insurance company has declared your vehicle as a total loss, it can take the damaged vehicle as settlement for an insurance claim, or it can leave the totaled vehicle to you, the owner. Either way, before this, the claim must be sent to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) to receive the necessary salvage brand. If you need to get a salvage title for a damaged or destroyed car in SC, you will need to contact the SCDMV in person or by mail. You will need to fill out the right application and pay the $15 title fee. Page 14 Car-Title.org
Note: If your insurance company determines that a damaged car cannot be rebuilt, then all of the documents must be mailed to the SCDMV salvage titles department. What is a salvaged car? In South Carolina, the insurance companies determine if a damaged vehicle meets the qualifications to be branded a salvage title. Once an insurance company brands a vehicle a total loss and issues the salvage title, that brand cannot be removed, but the type of brand may change in the future. Salvage brands are an essential component of a vehicle s history because they help establish the car s fair market value. If a salvage brand is incorrectly added or omitted, it can affect the value of the vehicle. It may also cause the vehicle to be misrepresented to a potential buyer. When is a car considered a total loss? For auto insurance companies to settle a claim for a salvage car, it must determine the loss percentage of the fair market value of the car before it was damaged. A vehicle will be considered a total loss or a salvaged car if they have a loss of 75 percent or more of the fair market value because of damage. However, it is important to know that insurance companies in SC can choose to claim a vehicle as a total loss if it has sustained less than 75 percent of the fair market value or if the fair market value for the vehicle was less than $2,000. When is a car NOT considered a total loss? Not every damaged or destroyed car will be declared a total loss. In South Carolina, a damaged car is declared a total loss and will be marked as salvaged unless at least one of the following is true about the vehicle: It is marked as non-rebuildable. Note: In South Carolina, some vehicles can be salvaged, while others may be branded with a specific title, such as only for parts. Vehicles with these brands cannot be driven on South Carolina roads or in most states in the country. The damage it has received accounts for less than 75 percent of its fair market value and it has not sustained either water or fire damage. The value of the vehicle is less than $2,000. The vehicle has been given the title of an antique vehicle. Page 15 Car-Title.org
Note: To get a salvage title from the SCDMV, you must be listed as the totaled vehicle owner by your insurance company. What happens after my vehicle is declared a total loss? If your insurance company declares your vehicle a total loss, it must contact the SCDMV to update your car title. The insurance company is also going to need to state: The vehicle title The $15 title fee A letter from your insurance company stating that the car has been declared a total loss and will remain with the owner If necessary, your insurance company will need to sign and complete the Request for Salvage/Total Loss Title (SCDMV Form TR-3). Whether or not the vehicle can be rebuilt. If the loss is a result of a crash, fire or water damage. If the vehicle was stolen, including whether or not the vehicle was recovered. Can I keep my damaged car after a claim is made? If you would like to keep your damaged vehicle after your insurance company has declared your vehicle a total loss, your insurance agent must submit all of the below documents to the SCDMV, either in person or by mail: Application for Salvage/Branded Certificate of Title (SCDMV Form 400-S), in the name of the car owner Note: The application must specify whether the vehicle can be rebuilt or not. Also, it needs to include how the vehicle was damaged. Page 16 Car-Title.org
How can I submit my application for a salvage car title? If you and your insurance agent would like to submit your SCDMV Form 400-S in person, you can find the closest SCDMV branch office here. Most SCDMV branch offices are open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., and many locations are open on weekends. the necessary documents for the title to be changed to a salvage rebuilt. You must complete this step before your vehicle is re-titled but only after it has been branded a salvage vehicle. If you choose the mail-in method, you will need to mail the above information to the below address: SCDMV Alternative Media PO Box 1498 Blythewood, SC 29016-0035 How to Get a Rebuilt Title in South Carolina If your vehicle can be rebuilt, the SCDMV will issue you a title with one of the below to your insurance company: Salvage Salvage fire Salvage water Once you receive your updated title through the SCD- MV, you can rebuild the vehicle, but you must submit Note: When you include your payment, you will need to pay with a check or money order made out to the SCDMV. Page 17 Car-Title.org