Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in South Carolina? A bill of sale is required for the title transfer — the SCDMV uses it to confirm the sale price and assess the fee due. It records who sold what, for how much, and on what date, and it protects both sides: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tickets or accidents once the keys change hands.
South Carolina requirements
Is a bill of sale required in South Carolina?
Yes. The SCDMV requires a signed bill of sale for title transactions, showing the total sale price (less any trade-in). It's submitted with the signed title and Title and Registration Application (Form 400) and is used to assess the fee due.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. South Carolina does not require the bill of sale or the title to be notarized. The buyer's signature is required on the bill of sale, but a notary isn't needed to transfer ownership.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must title and register the vehicle within 45 days of the purchase date at the SCDMV. Missing the deadline adds late penalty fees, generally ranging from about $10 to $75.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Instead of standard sales tax, South Carolina charges an Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) of 5% of the purchase price (after trade-in), capped at $500. The buyer pays it to the SCDMV when titling the vehicle.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires the odometer reading at the time of sale for vehicles under 20 model years old. Record it on both the bill of sale and the title.
How to fill it out
- 1
Enter the sale date and the South Carolina county where the sale takes place.
- 2
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
- 3
Describe the vehicle — make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
- 4
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
- 5
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
- 6
Both parties sign — then the buyer files the bill of sale and Form 400 at the SCDMV within 45 days.
Ready to create your South Carolina bill of sale?
Fill the form, watch it build live, and download the PDF — free, no signup.
Open the free builderWhat to include
- Seller & buyer names and addresses
- Make, model, year, color & VIN
- Odometer reading + federal disclosure
- Purchase price & sales-tax note
- “As-is” statement or warranty terms
- Date of sale and signatures
South Carolina bill of sale by vehicle type
The same South Carolinabuilder works for more than cars — pick your vehicle and the form adapts: the right ID number (a VIN, a boat's HIN, or a serial number) and an odometer reading only where one applies.
- Car bill of sale
- Truck bill of sale
- SUV bill of sale
- Van bill of sale
- Motorcycle bill of sale
- ATV bill of sale
- RV bill of sale
- Camper bill of sale
- Trailer bill of sale
- Boat bill of sale
- Jet Ski bill of sale
- Snowmobile bill of sale
- Golf Cart bill of sale
- Tractor bill of sale
A few differ: boats and jet skis use a Hull ID Number (HIN) instead of a VIN and have no odometer; trailers, campers, snowmobiles, golf carts, and tractors have no odometer either; and boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles often register with a different agency (such as a wildlife, boating, or parks department) rather than the South Carolina DMV (SCDMV). Confirm the details with the South Carolina DMV (SCDMV).
South Carolina bill of sale FAQ
Does a South Carolina motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. South Carolina does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized, and the title doesn't need a notary either. The buyer's signature is required on the bill of sale, but notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in South Carolina?
Yes. The SCDMV requires a signed bill of sale for title transactions to confirm the sale price and assess the fee due. It also proves the sale date and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle.
Where do I transfer the title in South Carolina?
At the South Carolina DMV (SCDMV). The buyer brings the signed title, the bill of sale, a completed Title and Registration Application (Form 400), proof of insurance, and payment for the title fee and the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee.
How long do I have to transfer the title in South Carolina?
The buyer has 45 days from the purchase date to title and register at the SCDMV. After 45 days, the state adds late penalty fees on top of the regular title and registration fees, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in South Carolina?
South Carolina charges an Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) instead of standard sales tax — 5% of the purchase price after trade-in, capped at $500. The buyer pays it to the SCDMV when titling, so an accurate sale price on your bill of sale matters.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?
Yes. Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale, and each keeps a copy. The buyer's signature in particular is required by the SCDMV. If there are two buyers or two sellers, every party signs.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in South Carolina?
Yes — South Carolina accepts a bill of sale as long as it has the key details, including the sale price and the buyer's signature, so a handwritten one can work. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the SCDMV.
Is this South Carolina bill of sale really free?
Yes — completely. Fill it in, preview it live, and download the PDF with no signup, no credit card, and no watermark. Unlike sites that charge a fee or push a subscription to download, there's nothing to pay here.