Vehicle owners need to replace a lost car title at the DMV in South Carolina when their current credentials cannot be used anymore due to various reasons. A stolen, destroyed or lost car title must be replaced with a duplicate through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Since a vehicle title is a document that may serve as a proof of ownership, vehicle owners are highly recommended to keep it in a safe place, in order to avoid situations when the credential might get lost, stolen or destroyed.

Therefore, motorists must request a replacement car title in SC in order to hold a valid credential in case they need it as proof of ownership in certain situations. To find out how to replace a vehicle title in South Carolina, continue reading the sections below for more information.

When do you need to get a duplicate car title in South Carolina?

Motorists need to request a replacement car title in South Carolina in various occasions. For instance, replacing a lost car title at the DMV is mandatory when vehicle owners face a stolen, destroyed or lost credential. In such situations, drivers need to learn the procedure and the mandatory documents that are needed.

Therefore, your damaged, stolen or lost car title in South Carolina will be replaced with a duplicate credential only after you complete a replacement procedure and provide the necessary documentation to the SC DMV.

Documents Required When Applying for a South Carolina Car Title Copy

When wondering how to get a replacement car title in South Carolina, vehicle owners need to first prepare the necessary documents for a replacement procedure. To replace a lost car title at the DMV, motorists need to submit the following:

  • A completed replacement title application form
  • Proof of identification or one of the following:
    • Agent Authorized for Title Pick Up, when an employee in your company gets your duplicate title from the SC DMV
    • Third party Title Pick Up, when another person gets your duplicate title from the SC DMV office
  • Payment for the applicable fees

Once vehicle owners who are replacing their lost car titles finish preparing the needed documents, they need to submit them by mail or in person at the SC DMV title office.

Note: These documents are not required when replacing a lost car title online, because the online procedure has different requirements. However, the online procedure is currently disabled.

Available Methods for Replacing Your Car Title in South Carolina

When replacing a lost car title at the DMV in South Carolina, motorists may use different replacement methods, depending on their preferences. Currently, vehicle owners may replace a car title by mail or in person at the SC DMV title office, while the online method is disabled.

By Mail

To replace a car title by mail in South Carolina, vehicle owners need to first complete an application form for a duplicate car title. In addition to the replacement title application form, they need to provide payment for the applicable fees. To finalize the procedure of requesting a replacement car title in South Carolina, they need to send the completed application form and payment to the mailing address of the SC DMV.

In Person

Motorists may replace a lost car title in person by visiting a local SC DMV title office and submitting the required documentation. Motorists need to submit the required replacement title application form, proof of identification and payment for the replacement fees.

Motorists who want to replace their lost car titles but are unable to pick up their duplicate credential, may send another person to get it in their name. However, for that purpose, applicants will have to submit additional documents along with their documentation.

How to Fill out the Duplicate Car Title Application in South Carolina

Since the application form is the most important document for replacing a lost car title at the DMV in South Carolina, applicants are advised to learn how to complete it. Motorists may request a replacement car title after completing the following sections of the application form:

  • Type of transaction
  • Motor vehicle information
  • Odometer mileage
  • Owner information, if the vehicle is leased, do not complete this section with lessee information
  • Leasing information, if the vehicle is leased
  • Lien and lien holder information, if there is an outstanding lien on the vehicle
  • Sales tax exemption
  • Seller information
  • Insurance certification, if a vehicle registration is required
  • Donate life SC section
  • Signature of owner

Car Title Replacement Fees

To finalize the procedure of replacing a lost car title in person or by mail, motor vehicle owners need to submit payment for the applicable fees. The fee must be paid when performing a procedure for obtaining a duplicate credential.

Note that when replacing a car title by mail, you may only send check or money order to the South Carolina DMV, but cash is not accepted. To request a replacement car title in South Carolina, motorists may pay with cash only in person at a nearby SC DMV title office. Overall, the fee for a replacement title is $15.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.