All motorboats and sailboats must be registered with the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in order to operate in South Carolina waters. The buyer has 60 days during which the decals of the previous registrant may be used before obtaining new registration. The buyer must begin the registration process within 30 days to avoid late fees.

Boat registrations previously lasted for three years, but all boats purchased after Jan. 1, 2020, last one year. Registration may be renewed online unless the buyer is not current on taxes owed on the vessel, in which case it must be done at a DNR regional office.

Initial registration must be done at a local Department of Natural Resources (DNR) location.

• A Watercraft/Outboard Motor Application
• A Bill of Sale
• If the boat was previously titled: the original title signed over to the buyer
• If the boat is purchased new from a dealer: the manufacturer’s statement of origin
• If the boat was previously titled in another state: a pencil tracing or photograph of the boat’s hull identification number and the motor’s serial number
• Driver’s license or state ID
• Proof of payment of all registration fees
• For boats with existing South Carolina title: proof of payment of all taxes in the form of a property tax receipt from the buyer’s county of residence
  • Boats purchased that were previously titled in another state, or purchased new from a South Carolina dealer, will be assessed for taxes after the registration process is completed