What Forms Do I Need to Register a Boat in SC?

Every Scenario Covered — No More Guessing

The BTR-1: Your Main Form

Good news: South Carolina uses one primary form for almost all boat titling and registration. It's called the BTR-1 (Watercraft/Outboard Motor Application), issued by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).

The BTR-1 is a 2-page PDF with over 200 individual fields. It handles registration, titling, bill of sale, and even family transfer exemptions — all in one document. No matter your situation, this form is your starting point.

The confusing part isn't the form itself — it's knowing which sections to fill out and what supporting documents to include. That depends entirely on your situation. Keep reading to find yours.

BTR-1 Sections Breakdown

Here's what each section of the BTR-1 covers and when you need to complete it:

SectionContentsWhen to Complete
A Buyer/Applicant Info Always — name, DOB, address, phone, county
B Seller Info Always for private sales; dealer fills for dealer sales
C Vessel Details Always — registration #, year, make, model, HIN, length
D Outboard Motor Details If you have an outboard motor 5+ HP
E Lien Holder Info Only if there's a lien (loan) on the boat
F Registration & Buyer Signature Always — all applicants must sign
G Nonresident Primary Use Only for nonresident applicants
H Bill of Sale Private sales — must be notarized
I Family Transfer Exemption Only for transfers between immediate family

Scenario: Dealer Purchase

New Boat from In-State Dealer

This is the simplest scenario. The dealer typically handles everything — they fill out the BTR-1 and submit it to SCDNR on your behalf.

What the dealer provides:

  • Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO)
  • Completed BTR-1 form

What you provide:

  • Your personal information and signatures
  • Payment for fees and taxes

Used Boat from Out-of-State Dealer

  • Bill of sale or original titles from previous owner to dealer
  • Bill of sale from dealer to you
  • Completed BTR-1 form

Scenario: Private Sale (In-State)

Seller Has the SC Title

The most common scenario for Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and word-of-mouth sales:

Documents Needed:

  • Completed BTR-1 form (Sections A, B, C, D, F, H)
  • Original SC title(s), signed on back by all owners
  • Paid property tax receipt from your county
  • Check or money order to SCDNR
Important: If the existing SC title has co-owners with "AND" — all owners must sign the back. If it says "OR," only one owner needs to sign. Check before the seller leaves.

Seller Does NOT Have the SC Title

Documents Needed:

  • Completed BTR-1 form (Sections A, B, C, D, F, H)
  • Signed and notarized bill of sale (Section H)
  • Paid property tax receipt from your county
  • $5 duplicate title fee per missing title
  • Check or money order to SCDNR

Scenario: Out-of-State Boat

Bringing a boat into SC from another state requires extra documentation. The requirements depend on whether the previous state issues boat titles.

From a Titling State

Documents Needed:

  • Completed BTR-1 form
  • Original title from previous state (notarized if the title has a notary field)
  • Written bill of sale (for motors)
  • Pencil tracing or photograph of the HIN
  • Pencil tracing or photograph of serial number for each motor
  • Out-of-state registration card (if available)
  • Paid property tax receipt from your SC county

From a Non-Titling State

Documents Needed:

  • Completed BTR-1 form
  • Written bill of sale for watercraft and motor
  • Pencil tracing or photograph of the HIN
  • Pencil tracing or photograph of serial number for each motor
  • Registration card or other documents proving seller's ownership
  • Paid property tax receipt from your SC county

From an Optional-Title State

Documents Needed:

  • Completed BTR-1 form
  • Original title (if one exists) OR registration card + written bill of sale
  • Pencil tracing or photograph of the HIN
  • Pencil tracing or photograph of serial number for each motor
  • Out-of-state registration card (if available)
  • Paid property tax receipt from your SC county
HIN tracing tip: Place a piece of paper over the Hull Identification Number (usually stamped on the upper right of the transom) and rub with a pencil. A clear photo with good lighting also works. This proves the HIN matches your paperwork.

Scenario: Family Transfer

Transferring a boat between immediate family members follows the same process as a private sale, plus one extra step:

Documents Needed:

  • All standard documents for your situation (see above)
  • Completed Section I of BTR-1 (Family Transfer Exemption)
  • Section I requires: purchaser name, seller name, and relationship

The Family Transfer Exemption waives the 5% Casual Excise Tax. Qualifying relationships: parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or spouse. See our fee guide for details on what this saves you.

Scenario: No Title / Missing Title

This is the trickiest situation, but it's solvable. If the seller has lost the title (or the boat was never titled), here's the path:

Documents Needed:

  • Completed BTR-1 form
  • Signed and notarized bill of sale (Section H — this becomes your primary proof of purchase)
  • $5 duplicate title fee per missing title
  • Paid property tax receipt from your county
  • Any supporting ownership documents the seller can provide (old registration cards, previous bills of sale, etc.)
Before you buy a boat without a title: Make sure the seller can at least provide a valid bill of sale with accurate vessel information (make, model, HIN). Without this, SCDNR may not be able to process your application. Check for any outstanding liens before purchasing.

Additional Documents Checklist

Regardless of your scenario, these documents come up frequently:

  • County property tax receipt: Required for all registrations. Get this from your county tax office. If no taxes are due, you'll need a "no tax due" notice.
  • HIN tracing or photograph: Required for all out-of-state boats. Pencil rubbing or clear photo of the hull identification number.
  • Motor serial number tracing: Required for out-of-state outboard motors. Same process as the HIN — pencil rubbing or photo.
  • Lien satisfaction: If there's an existing lien on the boat, you'll need a completed lien satisfaction on the title, a notarized statement from the lienholder, or a completed Lien Satisfaction Form.
  • Power of attorney: If someone is filing on behalf of the buyer, a valid power of attorney document is required.

How BoatForms Picks Your Forms

This is exactly the problem BoatForms was built to solve. Instead of figuring out which sections, forms, and supporting documents apply to your situation, you answer a few simple questions:

  • Are you buying from a dealer or private seller?
  • Is the boat currently registered in SC or out-of-state?
  • Does the seller have the title?
  • Is this a family transfer?
  • Does the boat have an outboard motor?

Based on your answers, BoatForms determines every form and document you need, auto-fills the BTR-1 with your information, calculates your exact fees, and generates a personalized checklist.

Stop Guessing. Start Filing.

Answer a few questions and we determine every form you need.

Find Your Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BTR-1 form in South Carolina?

The BTR-1 (Watercraft/Outboard Motor Application) is the official SCDNR form used for all boat title and registration transactions in South Carolina, including purchases, transfers, and out-of-state boats.

Do I need a separate bill of sale form for a boat in SC?

Not necessarily. The BTR-1 form includes a built-in bill of sale (Section H). If you complete Section H and have it notarized, you don't need a separate bill of sale document. Learn more in our bill of sale guide.

What extra forms do I need for an out-of-state boat in SC?

In addition to the BTR-1, you need the original out-of-state title (notarized if it has a notary field), a written bill of sale, a HIN tracing or photograph, and motor serial number tracings for each outboard motor.

What forms are needed for a family boat transfer in SC?

You need the standard BTR-1 form plus the Family Transfer Exemption section (Section I of the BTR-1), which exempts immediate family members from the Casual Excise Tax.