Does SC require a Bill of Sale?
Asked by: Marina Runolfsson | Last update: December 16, 2025Score: 5/5 (62 votes)
Yes, a South Carolina bill of sale is typically required when registering a motor vehicle to establish proof of ownership. Is a South Carolina bill of sale required to register a boat? Yes, a South Carolina bill of sale is necessary when registering a boat to demonstrate ownership and complete the registration process.
Does South Carolina require a bill of sale to be notarized?
Does a bill of sale have to be notarized in South Carolina? No. A vehicle bill of sale for a private party transfer does not need to be notarized.
What states require a bill of sale for a car?
- Alabama.
- Arkansas.
- Colorado.
- Connecticut.
- Hawaii.
- Idaho.
- Maine.
- Nebraska.
What is needed to transfer a car title in SC?
To transfer a car title in South Carolina, you need the original vehicle title, a bill of sale, valid government-issued IDs for both parties, and Form 400 (Application for Certificate of Title). If applicable, a lien release is also required.
How to write a bill of sale in SC?
- Date of purchase.
- Contact information for both the buyer and the seller.
- Purchase price.
- Description of the item or property being transferred.
- A guarantee that the asset is cleared of any liens or claims.
- Ongoing terms, such as warranties.
- Signatures of buyer and seller.
South Carolina Bill of Sale - GUIDE
Does scdmv require a bill of sale?
A signed Bill of Sale/Buyer's Order is required for all title transactions showing the total sale prices of the vehicle, minus any trade-in value.
Is a handwritten bill of sale OK?
Sure a bill of sale can be handwritten. As a matter of fact, it appears that a bill of sale is not technically required in California. It is just highly recommended.
Can I drive a car I just bought home without plates in South Carolina?
You can get a temporary, trackable license plate in South Carolina for $5 after you buy a car. These trackable tags fight fraud while allowing you to drive your new vehicle while you wait for your permanent plates to come in. Your temporary tag will be good for 45 days from the issue date.
How to fill out a title when selling?
- Using only blue or black ink, fill out the car title transfer form. ...
- Give the buyer the transfer form, which they'll need to fill out and sign, too. ...
- Notify the DMV that you're releasing ownership of the vehicle by submitting a “Notice of Transfer” or “Release of Liability” form.
When I buy a car from a private seller, can I drive it home?
You can drive with a bill of sale and proof of insurance until you get the car registered. Make sure to visit the DMV within 10 days to complete the registration process.
What if you don't have a bill of sale?
Search for the check or credit card receipt used, to prove the payment was processed. Get information from the prior owner. Follow up with the previous owner to request documentation they may have filed to relinquish legal ownership.
How to handwrite a bill of sale for a car?
- Date of sale.
- Purchase price.
- Payment structure (whether the purchase price was paid in full or in installments)
- Payment method (cash, check, card)
- Odometer reading from when the sale took place.
- Make and model of the car, including model year and color.
Should a bill of sale be notarized?
State-Specific Requirements. Each state has unique regulations for bills of sale. In California, for example, a bill of sale for a vehicle does not need to be notarized, while in Louisiana, notarization is required.
Is it better to gift a car or sell it for $1 in SC?
To gift someone a vehicle, you must transfer the vehicle title to their name and create a bill of sale. Selling a vehicle for $1 instead of gifting it could result in your recipient paying sales tax based on the car's fair market value — it's better to stick with the official gifting process.
Do both parties have to be present to notarize a bill of sale?
In some cases, a notary public can notarize one party's bill of sale signature. This might happen if they're absent but have consented to another individual signing on their behalf. The jurisdiction and circumstances will determine whether both parties must attend a bill of sale notarization.
Can you register a car with just a bill of sale in South Carolina?
In order to register a vehicle, we need one of the following: Bill of Sale. Title. Registration from previous State.
How to fill out a title when selling a car in SC?
You will need that title and the items below to "officially" put the title in your name. First assignment completed on title: buyer's name and address, lienholder information (if applicable), odometer reading, sales price, date of sale, seller's signature, buyer's signature.
How long can you drive a deceased person's car?
Yes, the car is still insured immediately following the death of the policyholder. However, the time that the insurance remains valid can vary. Some insurers may offer a grace period, typically around 30 days, to allow the family to manage the deceased's affairs.
How do I write a bill of sale without a title?
- Sale Date: Specific date when the sale occurred.
- Vehicle Details: Make, model, year, and VIN.
- Buyer and Seller Information: Full legal names and contact details.
- Sales Price: Agreed selling price of the vehicle.
- Condition Statement: Current condition and any known issues.
How to transfer a car title to a family member in SC?
- Complete and sign the title certificate (seller and buyer).
- Complete a Bill of Sale (if applicable).
- Complete the title application form.
- Visit any DMV office near you. Consider making a DMV appointment or getting a line waiting concierge.
Does South Carolina make you return license plates?
When you sell or dispose of a vehicle, you are required to surrender the license plate within 30 days of sale to a Department of Motor Vehicles ( DMV ) Office. If you surrendered the license plate to DMV , you may request a refund from the Auditor's office for the unused months remaining on the registration.
Can you register a car with a bill of sale and no title?
Can you register a car with a bill of sale and no title? Generally you can't, although in some states you can buy a car from someone not listed on the title, so long as you also get a bill of sale signed by both the seller and title holder. The bill of sale is a sales contract combined with a receipt.
What makes a bill of sale invalid?
If the seller withholds information from the buyer, or misrepresents the value of an item, this may render a bill of sale null and void.
Can a piece of paper be a bill of sale?
Can a bill of sale be handwritten? While it is common to present a bill of sale in a digital format, you can also create a handwritten bill of sale. What's most important is to include all of the pertinent details in the bill of sale in order to protect both parties.
Who should write a bill of sale?
The seller is responsible for drawing up the document, but who should keep the bill of sale once the terms are settled, the documents signed, and the transaction finalized? The short answer is that both the buyer and seller should retain the bill of sale for their records.