It's the Law: Before Going

All operators are required to obey laws that regulate your vessel's registration, titling, and operation.

Registering Your Vessel

You must have a South Carolina Certificate of Number (registration) and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on public waters in South Carolina. The only exceptions are:

• Non-motorized vessels
• Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard
• Vessels with valid registration in another state or country, temporarily used in South Carolina

The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to the Department of Natural Resources, Boat Titling and Registration Office, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202.

This certificate (registration card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated.

The registration number and validation decals must be displayed as follows.

• Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.

• Number's color must contrast with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: SC 3717 ZW or SC-3717-ZW.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• Decals must be affixed on both sides of the vessel within six inches following the registration number.

Other Facts About Titling and Registration

• All vessels must be titled. The only exceptions are vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard, rowboats, paddleboats, and sailboards. You also must obtain a separate title for all outboard motors of five horsepower or greater.
• A Certificate of Number is valid for three years.
  • You can renew your registration on the SCDNR website, by mail, or in person.
  • Failure to renew within 30 days of the expiration date will result in a penalty.
• If you change your address, you must call or write the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) within 30 days.
• If you destroy your vessel or motor, you must report it to the SCDNR within 10 days and surrender your Certificate of Number and title.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number, title, or decal, you must apply to the SCDNR for a duplicate and submit a processing fee.
• To purchase a duplicate Certificate of Number or decal, you can visit the SCDNR website or you can submit the application and fee by mail or in person.
• To obtain a duplicate title, you must submit the application and fee by mail or in person.
• Vessels that are currently registered in another state may operate on South Carolina waters for 60 days before South Carolina registration and numbering is required.

Buying or Selling a Vessel or Motor

The procedure for buying or selling, or otherwise acquiring, a vessel or motor is outlined on the "Watercraft/Motor Application" forms that can be obtained from the SCDNR website (www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/boatingforms.html) or from the Boat Titling and Registration Office of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The process is essentially the same whether the "seller" is a marine dealer or an individual selling a pre-owned boat.

• The sale of a vessel or outboard motor without a title is prohibited.
• If a registered vessel or motor is sold or transferred to another person:
  • The "buyer" must apply for the Certificate of Number and title to be transferred to his or her name within 30 days from the date of purchase.
  • The "seller" must provide the SCDNR, in writing, a description of the vessel or motor sold, name and address of the buyer, and date of sale within 30 days of the date of sale.
• A new or used vessel with expiration decals may be operated for up to 60 days from the date of purchase when the temporary watercraft certificate (which comes attached to the application) and a bill of sale are carried on board.
• The SCDNR has a service, SC Boat Facts, that gives information on vessels and motors. This information has been provided to the SCDNR by the owner, law enforcement agencies, and county tax collectors.
  • To access SC Boat Facts, visit the website at www.dnr.sc.gov/boating.html. For vessel information, you need the South Carolina registration number. For motors, you need the serial number.
  • For additional tax information contact the reporting county or the county where the vessel is registered.
• To make sure you are not buying a stolen vessel:
  • Make sure the HIN on the title matches the HIN on the vessel.
  • Inspect the HIN on the vessel to ensure that it has not been altered in any way.

Schedule of Fees to Register Your Boat or Motor

Where to Title and Register

You can carry out your registration and titling transactions by mail or in person.

Some requests and renewals also can be handled on the SCDNR website.

For more information or for forms call the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Boat Titling and Registration Office at 803-734-3857 or reach them by fax at 803-734-4138 or visit our website at www.dnr.sc.gov

Abandoned Vessels

South Carolina law prohibits anyone from abandoning a vessel or motor on any public lands or waters of the state.

• Penalties include a fine of up to $5,000 and up to 30 days imprisonment.
• Vessel owners also must pay to have the vessel or motor removed from the public land or water.