South Carolina Boat Title Transfer

What is the BTR-1 Form?

The BTR-1 (Watercraft/Outboard Motor Application) is the official form used by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for all boat title and registration transactions. Whether you're buying, selling, or transferring a boat in SC, the BTR-1 is the form you need.

The form covers vessel information, owner details, seller details, lien information, bill of sale, and more. It's a multi-section document with over 200 individual fields.

Who Needs to File?

You need to file a BTR-1 if you are:

• Buying a new or used boat from a private seller or dealer
• Transferring a boat title between family members
• Bringing a boat into South Carolina from another state
• Registering a previously unregistered boat
• Updating ownership information (adding or removing an owner)

South Carolina requires all motorized watercraft to be titled and registered. Non-motorized boats (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards) are exempt.

Documents Required

The exact documents depend on your situation, but here's what you'll typically need:

For In-State Purchases (Used Boat with SC Title)

• Completed BTR-1 form, signed in Section F by all applicants
• Original SC title(s), completed and signed on back by all owners
• Paid property tax receipt for the coming year from your county of residence

For Out-of-State Boats

• Completed BTR-1 form
• Original title from previous state (notarized if the title has a notary field)
• Written bill of sale
• Pencil tracing or photograph of Hull Identification Number (HIN)
• Pencil tracing or photograph of serial number for each motor
• Out-of-state registration card (if available)

For Family Transfers

• All standard documents above
• Completed Family Transfer exemption (Section I of BTR-1)

Fees & Taxes

Here's what you'll pay when transferring a boat title in SC:

Step-by-Step Process

1. Gather your documents. Collect the current title (or bill of sale), proof of ownership, and your county property tax receipt.
2. Fill out the BTR-1 form. Complete all applicable sections: applicant info, vessel description, seller info, and bill of sale. This is where BoatForms saves you the most time.
3. Get the Bill of Sale notarized. Section H of the BTR-1 must be signed before a notary public. Both buyer and seller should be present.
4. Calculate your fees. Add up registration, title, excise tax, and any late fees. Make your check or money order payable to SCDNR.
5. Submit your paperwork. Mail everything to SCDNR or submit in person.
6. Wait for your new title. Processing typically takes a few weeks. You'll receive your new SC title and registration card by mail.

Where to Submit

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing signatures. All applicants must sign Section F. If the title says "and" — all owners must sign.
• Forgetting the notary. The bill of sale section requires notarization. Submitting without it means your paperwork gets returned.
• Wrong fee amount. Underpaying (or forgetting the excise tax) delays processing.
• No property tax receipt. You need a paid property tax receipt from your county — or a notice that no taxes are due.
• Altered titles. Any alterations on the title invalidate it. You'll need a duplicate title ($5 fee) and a notarized bill of sale.
• Filing late. You have 30 days from the purchase date to file without a late fee. After that, penalties apply.

How BoatForms Helps

BoatForms was built specifically for this process. Instead of manually filling out 200+ fields on the BTR-1 form, you answer simple questions in a guided wizard, and BoatForms:

• Auto-fills the official SC BTR-1 PDF with your information
• Calculates all fees and taxes based on your sale price and date
• Generates a scenario-specific checklist of required documents
• Lets you preview the completed form before saving or printing
• Skips sections that don't apply (no engine? no lien? skip them.)

Frequently Asked Questions