South Carolina Boat Bill of Sale

When Is a Bill of Sale Required?

In South Carolina, a bill of sale is required for most boat transactions. Here's the breakdown:

• Private sales (in-state): Always required. The bill of sale documents the transfer of ownership and the purchase price (which determines your excise tax).
• Missing title situations: Required. When the seller can't produce the original title, a notarized bill of sale becomes your primary proof of purchase.
• Out-of-state boats: Required — even if you have the previous state's title. SCDNR needs a written bill of sale documenting the transaction.
• Dealer purchases: The dealer handles their own paperwork, but you'll still have a purchase agreement or invoice that serves as your bill of sale.
• Family transfers: Required. Even though the excise tax is waived, you still need to document the transfer with a bill of sale.

What Must Be Included

A valid South Carolina boat bill of sale must include all of the following:

• Buyer's full legal name and address
• Seller's full legal name and address
• Boat description: make, model, year, length, and Hull Identification Number (HIN)
• Motor details: make, year, horsepower, and serial number (for each outboard motor)
• Purchase price — this is what SCDNR uses to calculate your 5% excise tax
• Date of sale — this starts the 30-day clock for filing without late fees
• Signatures of both buyer and seller
• Notary stamp and signature (if using Section H of the BTR-1)

Missing any of these? SCDNR will return your paperwork. The purchase price is especially important — underreporting it is a common mistake that can cause problems down the line.

The BTR-1 Built-In Bill of Sale (Section H)

Here's something most people don't know: you don't need a separate bill of sale document. The official SC BTR-1 form (Watercraft/Outboard Motor Application) includes a built-in bill of sale as Section H.

Section H captures everything SCDNR needs:

• Purchaser and seller names
• Vessel and motor descriptions
• Sale price and date
• Relationship between parties (for family transfer exemptions)
• Signature lines for buyer, seller, and notary

If you prefer to use a separate bill of sale (or already have one), that's also accepted. Just make sure it includes all the required information listed above, and that it's notarized.

Notarization Requirements

Section H of the BTR-1 must be notarized. This means both buyer and seller need to sign in the presence of a notary public. Here's what that involves:

• Both parties present with valid photo ID
• Sign the bill of sale in front of the notary
• Notary stamps and signs the document

Where to find a notary:

• Banks and credit unions — many offer free notary services for account holders
• UPS Store locations — typically charge $5-$15 per signature
• County courthouses
• Law offices

Handwritten vs. Typed

Both are accepted by SCDNR. There's no legal requirement for the bill of sale to be typed or printed. A handwritten bill of sale on a blank sheet of paper is valid as long as it includes all required information and is notarized.

That said, typed or printed is strongly recommended for several reasons:

• Legibility. SCDNR staff process thousands of applications. If they can't read your handwriting, your paperwork gets returned.
• Completeness. A typed form with labeled fields ensures you don't forget required information.
• Accuracy. The HIN (Hull Identification Number) is a 12-17 character alphanumeric code. One unclear character means a rejected application.

BoatForms generates a typed, pre-filled bill of sale using the official BTR-1 Section H format — so every field is filled in correctly and clearly.

Common Bill of Sale Mistakes

• Missing notary stamp. The most common reason for returned paperwork. Section H must be notarized — no exceptions for private sales.
• Incomplete buyer or seller info. Full legal names and addresses for both parties. Nicknames or partial addresses will get your application rejected.
• No HIN. The Hull Identification Number is required. It's stamped on the transom (back) of the boat — usually on the upper right side.
• Wrong purchase price. The price you report determines your excise tax. If SCDNR questions it, you'll need to provide additional documentation.
• Altered documents. Crossed-out text, white-out, or changes after signing invalidate the bill of sale. Start over with a clean document.
• Unsigned by all parties. If there are co-owners and the title says "and," all owners must sign. "Or" means only one needs to sign.

How BoatForms Handles This

BoatForms automatically generates the bill of sale section as part of the BTR-1 form. You answer simple questions in a guided wizard, and BoatForms:

• Pre-fills Section H with buyer, seller, vessel, and motor details
• Calculates the correct excise tax based on your purchase price
• Formats the HIN correctly across all required fields
• Generates a clean, typed document ready for notarization
• Includes a checklist so you know exactly what to bring to the notary

Related Guides

• How to Register a Boat in South Carolina
• SC Boat Title Transfer: Complete Guide
• SC Boat Registration Fees (Exact Costs)
• What Forms Do I Need to Register a Boat in SC?

Frequently Asked Questions