What is a South Carolina Bill of Sale?
A South Carolina Bill of Sale is a legal document that records the private sale of a vehicle or other personal property from a seller to a buyer in South Carolina. It documents the sale price, identifies the item, and captures the signatures of both parties.
The SCDMV requires a signed Bill of Sale (or buyer's order) for all title transactions. It must show the total sale price and include the buyer's signature. If the back of the vehicle title does not have a section for the sale price, the bill of sale must accompany the title paperwork. Vehicle purchases in South Carolina are subject to a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), capped at $500. The seller must also file a Notice of Vehicle Sold (SCDMV Form 416) with the SCDMV.
What is a South Carolina Bill of Sale used for?
A South Carolina Bill of Sale is a required document for vehicle title transactions at the SCDMV. Specifically, it is used to:
- Document the private sale of a vehicle and establish the agreed sale price required by the SCDMV for all title transactions
- Record the total sale price on which the 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF, capped at $500) is calculated
- Support the seller's obligation to file a Notice of Vehicle Sold (SCDMV Form 416) to remove liability for the vehicle
- Give the buyer a required document to complete Title Application (SCDMV Form 400) at any SCDMV branch office
- Serve as evidence in any dispute about the terms or condition of the vehicle at the time of sale
How to write a Bill of Sale in South Carolina
To create a valid South Carolina Bill of Sale, follow these steps:
- 1
Prepare a bill of sale document that includes all required information, or download a template from a trusted source.
- 2
Fill in the full legal names and current addresses of both buyer and seller.
- 3
Enter the vehicle description: year, make, model, VIN, and color.
- 4
Record the odometer reading and the agreed sale price (total amount, minus any trade-in value).
- 5
Write in the date of the transaction.
- 6
Both buyer and seller sign the document. The buyer's signature is required.
- 7
The seller signs over the vehicle title on the back, including selling price, purchase date, and odometer reading. If there is no section for the sale price on the back of the title, the bill of sale must accompany the title.
- 8
The seller files a Notice of Vehicle Sold (SCDMV Form 416) with the SCDMV. The buyer takes the title, bill of sale, and completed Title Application (SCDMV Form 400) to any SCDMV branch office to complete the transfer.
What information should a South Carolina Bill of Sale include?
A South Carolina Bill of Sale should include the following information:
- Full legal names and current addresses of buyer and seller
- Vehicle description: year, make, model, color, and VIN
- Odometer reading at the time of sale
- Total sale price (minus any trade-in value) — used to calculate the 5% IMF
- Date of the transaction
- Seller's signature and buyer's signature (buyer's signature is required by SCDMV)
- Optional: lienholder information if the buyer is making payments
Is a Bill of Sale required in South Carolina?
Yes. The South Carolina DMV (SCDMV) requires a signed Bill of Sale or Buyer's Order for all vehicle title transactions. The document must show the total sale price and include the buyer's signature. If the back of the vehicle title does not have a dedicated section for the sale price, a separate bill of sale must accompany the title paperwork.
The sale price on the bill of sale is also used to calculate the 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), capped at $500. The seller should also file a Notice of Vehicle Sold (SCDMV Form 416) to protect themselves from liability after the sale.
Does a South Carolina Bill of Sale need to be notarized?
No. South Carolina does not require notarization for a private-party vehicle bill of sale. A signed bill of sale with both buyer and seller signatures is accepted by the SCDMV.
While notarization is not required, the bill of sale must show the total sale price and include the buyer's signature. If the vehicle title does not have a section for the sale price, the bill of sale is mandatory. Three copies are recommended: one each for the DMV, the buyer, and the seller.
How long is a South Carolina Bill of Sale valid?
A South Carolina Bill of Sale does not expire. Once signed by both parties, it is a permanent legal record of the property transfer and remains valid indefinitely.
For vehicle title purposes, the bill of sale is most relevant while the new title is being processed. Once the buyer receives a new title from the South Carolina DMV, the bill of sale continues to serve as documentation of the original transaction — including the agreed sale price, the date of sale, and the condition of the vehicle at time of transfer.
Where can I get a blank South Carolina Bill of Sale?
The South Carolina DMV provides the Title Application (SCDMV Form 400) at any SCDMV branch office or online at dmv.sc.gov. While there is no single official "bill of sale" form from the SCDMV, any signed document showing the total sale price and buyer's signature is accepted.
You can use PDF Guru to fill out your South Carolina Bill of Sale online. Our editor lets you complete all required fields, add your signature, and download the finished document as a PDF ready to present at any SCDMV branch office.
How to sign a South Carolina Bill of Sale online
PDF Guru makes it easy to sign your South Carolina Bill of Sale online without printing or scanning. Once you have completed all required fields in the form, use the Sign tool in the editor. You can draw your signature with a mouse or trackpad, type your name, or upload a saved signature image. Position the signature in the designated field for the seller — if both parties are signing digitally, the buyer can do the same before the final download.
When your signatures are in place, click Done to download the completed PDF to your device. Electronic signatures are generally accepted for private-party bill of sale transactions in South Carolina. If you plan to submit the bill of sale to the South Carolina DMV as part of a title transfer, confirm in advance whether an original ink signature is required.



