--- title: "South Carolina Car Title Transfer: Notary, Forms & Deadline" description: "Selling a car in South Carolina: seller notary not in the steps, buyer has 45 days, bill of sale, plates and fees, from the agency's own pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/car-title-transfer-south-carolina" --- Car title transfer · South Carolina # South Carolina car title transfer What the seller and buyer sign, whether a notary is needed, and what South Carolina DMV (SCDMV) says about the bill of sale, the deadline, plates and fees. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) **Short answer.** SCDMV's list for a title transfer asks for the seller's and buyer's signatures on the back of the title, with no notary. The buyer has 45 days to title the car. Plates stay with the seller. ## At a glance Seller's signature SCDMV's list for a title transfer asks for the seller's and buyer's signatures on the back of the title, with no notary. Buyer's signature The buyer signs the back of the title; SCDMV's list has no notary step. Bill of sale Only when the title assignment has no space for the sale price. Odometer The odometer reading at the time of sale goes on the title. Buyer's deadline The buyer registers within 45 days of the purchase date. Plates The seller keeps the plate for another vehicle or surrenders it. Title fee $15 title fee ($35 for an expedited title, in person only). Agency South Carolina DMV (SCDMV) ## If you're selling - **Find the title and clear any lien.** Have the original title in hand. If a lender is listed, get the lien release or the lender's sign-off before the sale; the buyer can't title the car over an open lien. - **Sign the title over.** SCDMV's list for a title transfer asks for the seller's and buyer's signatures on the back of the title, with no notary. Don't sign until the buyer is ready, and write in the buyer's name and the sale date exactly. - **Write down the mileage.** The odometer reading at the time of sale goes on the title. - **Give the buyer a bill of sale.** Only when the title assignment has no space for the sale price. - **Deal with the plates.** The seller keeps the plate for another vehicle or surrenders it. - **Cancel insurance and keep copies.** Once the car is gone and the plates are off, call your insurer. Keep a photo of the signed title, the bill of sale and any sale report. ## If you're buying - **Check the title against the car and the seller.** The VIN on the title should match the car, and the seller's ID should match the owner's name on the title. Ask about any lien listed on it. - **Watch the title get signed.** Seller: SCDMV's list for a title transfer asks for the seller's and buyer's signatures on the back of the title, with no notary. Buyer: The buyer signs the back of the title; SCDMV's list has no notary step. - **Get a bill of sale.** Only when the title assignment has no space for the sale price. - **Check the mileage entry.** The odometer reading at the time of sale goes on the title. - **Insure the car before you drive it.** Most states require insurance to register. Arrange it before driving away. - **Title it in your name in time.** The buyer registers within 45 days of the purchase date. - **Plates and fees.** The seller keeps the plate for another vehicle or surrenders it. Title fee: $15 title fee ($35 for an expedited title, in person only). Sold on the first of a month? [See the due date for a December 1, 2026 sale](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=sc&role=buyer&date=2026-12-01). Your own checklist, marked step by step: [seller](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=sc&role=seller) · [buyer](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=sc&role=buyer). ## In the agency's words **Seller** "seller's signature, buyer's signature" **Buyer** "seller's signature, buyer's signature" **Bill of sale** "If assignment on title does not have section for sales price, a bill of sale must accompany paperwork." **Deadline** "South Carolina law requires that you register your newly purchased vehicle within 45 days of the purchase date." **Plates** "If you sell your vehicle and do not transfer the license plate to another vehicle, you must also surrender the plate." ## Official sources - [SCDMV: Buying or Selling a Car](https://dmv.sc.gov/vehicle-owners/buying-or-selling-a-car) (checked November 2026) - [SCDMV: Fees](https://dmv.sc.gov/Fees) (checked November 2026) General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Forms, fees and deadlines change, a county office can add its own steps, and gifts, estates, liens and out-of-state titles follow other rules; the agency or an attorney can tell you how a rule applies to your sale. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with any motor vehicle agency. ## Common questions **Does the seller's signature on a South Carolina title need a notary?** SCDMV's list for a title transfer asks for the seller's and buyer's signatures on the back of the title, with no notary. The agency's page: "seller's signature, buyer's signature." **Does the buyer sign in front of a notary in South Carolina?** The buyer signs the back of the title; SCDMV's list has no notary step. **How long does a buyer have to title a car in South Carolina?** 45 days. The buyer registers within 45 days of the purchase date. **Is a bill of sale required in South Carolina?** Only when the title assignment has no space for the sale price. **Do the plates go with the car in South Carolina?** The seller keeps the plate for another vehicle or surrenders it. **What is the title fee in South Carolina?** $15 title fee ($35 for an expedited title, in person only). All states: [car title notarization by state](/notary/car-title-notarization-by-state) · [Pennsylvania](/notary/car-title-transfer-pennsylvania) · [Texas](/notary/car-title-transfer-texas) ## Need a vehicle title notarized in New Jersey? [See vehicle title notary](/notary/vehicle-title-notary)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)