South Carolina Boat Bill of Sale: What You Need
State pre-selected. Free preview first. Then $12, one time, every document included
South Carolina at a glance
| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Agency | The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) handles watercraft titling and registration. | dnr.sc.gov |
| Bill of sale rule / state form | South Carolina law requires a valid title in the seller's name to be assigned to the buyer at the time of sale. | dnr.sc.gov |
| Notary / witness rule | When buying a used watercraft from an out-of-state marine dealer, SCDNR requires a bill of sale that is signed and notarized. | dnr.sc.gov |
| HIN, title, and registration notes | SC requires all motorized boats and watercraft to be titled (with certain exemptions such as wind surfers and human-powered vessels). | dnr.sc.gov |
| Sales / use tax | South Carolina charges a casual excise tax of 5% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $500.00, on a boat and motor purchased as a package or on a motor purchased alone. | dnr.sc.gov |
| Agency seller / buyer steps | SCDNR titling and registration main page: https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/index.html — Frequently asked questions (includes all common scenarios): https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registratio… | dnr.sc.gov |
1. Agency
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) handles watercraft titling and registration. Transactions can be done at SCDNR regional offices in West Columbia, Charleston, and Aynor (Horry County), or by mail.
Agency text: “In the state of South Carolina, the law requires all motorized boats and watercraft, except exempted vessels, sailboats, and all outboard motors five horsepower and greater to be titled. By law we must have your completed application and other required documents, which vary by purchase or selling situation, to title and register your boat and/or motor.”
Source: https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/index.html. Last checked: 2026-10-14.
2. Bill of sale rule / state form
South Carolina law requires a valid title in the seller's name to be assigned to the buyer at the time of sale. SCDNR does not publish a standalone bill of sale form for private in-state transactions. The required form is the Watercraft/Outboard Motor Titling and Registration Application. A bill of sale is used as supporting documentation in certain scenarios (out-of-state purchase, missing title, inherited boat). You may operate the boat for 60 days after purchase using the temporary certificate number from the application and a copy of the title or bill of sale.
Agency text: “S.C. Law prohibits the sale or purchase of watercraft without a valid title issued in the seller's name to assign over to the purchaser at the time of sale. ... You may operate your boat using your temporary certificate of number and a photocopy of your bill of sale or titles. The temporary certificate of number is valid for up to 60 days from the date of purchase.”
Source: https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html. Last checked: 2026-10-14.
3. Notary / witness rule
When buying a used watercraft from an out-of-state marine dealer, SCDNR requires a bill of sale that is signed and notarized. For in-state private sales, the SCDNR pages read for this site do not state a notary requirement. Check with SCDNR at 1-803-734-4367 if you are unsure about your situation.
Agency text: “Watercraft - Purchased from out-of-state marine dealer: ... Bill of Sale, signed and notarized.”
Source: https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html. Last checked: 2026-10-14.
4. HIN, title, and registration notes
SC requires all motorized boats and watercraft to be titled (with certain exemptions such as wind surfers and human-powered vessels). All outboard motors 5 HP and greater must be titled. The seller must be the titled owner before selling. If the boat was previously titled or registered in SC, the buyer must pay county property taxes first and submit the receipt with the application. A pencil tracing or photo of the hull identification number (HIN) is required. The seller must notify SCDNR in writing of the status change within 30 days. SC does not require titles on boat trailers unless they weigh 2,500 lbs or more empty; lighter trailers are exempt under S.C. Code §56-3-130.
Agency text: “If you have purchased a boat/motor that is currently titled and registered in SC you must pay property taxes to your county of residence before contacting SCDNR to transfer ownership into your name. ... SC does not require titles on boat trailers unless they weigh 2,500 lbs empty. ... The seller must notify the SC Department of Natural Resources in writing of any change in status of a watercraft or outboard motor ... within 30 days.”
Source: https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html. Last checked: 2026-10-14.
5. Sales / use tax
South Carolina charges a casual excise tax of 5% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $500.00, on a boat and motor purchased as a package or on a motor purchased alone. Transfers between immediate family members (parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, spouse) are exempt. Military personnel are not exempt. The tax can be paid to SCDNR or to an S.C. Department of Revenue Tax Service Center.
Agency text: “The casual excise tax for a boat or boat and motor purchased as a package is 5% of purchase price with a maximum fee of $500.00. The casual excise tax for an outboard motor purchased alone is 5% with a $500 maximum tax. ... Tax Exempt if Purchased from Immediate Family. ... Military persons are not exempt from Casual Excise or Use Tax on boats and Outboard Motors.”
Source: https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html. Last checked: 2026-10-14.
6. Agency seller / buyer steps
SCDNR titling and registration main page: https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/index.html — Frequently asked questions (includes all common scenarios): https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html — SCDNR Boating Section phone: 1-803-734-4367
Agency text: “Most Common Titling and Registration Situations: Purchased From an SC Owner with SC Titles, Purchased From an SC Owner with Missing Titles, Purchased Out of State From a Titling State, Purchased Out of State From a Nontitling State, Purchased Used Out of State from a Dealer.”
Source: https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/index.html. Last checked: 2026-10-14.
The state’s own form
South Carolina publishes Watercraft/Outboard Motor Titling and Registration Application. Open it on the agency site. If the agency asks for its own form, use that form. Our PDF records the same facts (HIN, motor serial, trailer VIN, prices, names, date, signatures) and is useful as the bill of sale between the parties, but we do not claim the agency will accept it in place of its form.
Example: a filled South Carolina boat bill of sale
Names, numbers and the HIN below are made up.
BOAT BILL OF SALE
Sources
- https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/index.html
- https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html
- https://dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/Boat_or_Motor_Application.html
Last checked: 2026-10-14. Laws and forms change. Check the agency page before you sign or file. Not legal advice.