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If you purchased a vessel that was previously documented and wish to register and title it in S.C. we must have the following:

1. Notarized Bill of Sale
2. Letter of deletion from United States Coast Guard (U.S.C.G.)
   • The seller, buyer, or an agent acting for either party must submit in writing a request for the letter of deletion with a fee of $15.00. If you pay with a check you will need to make it out to U.S.C.G.
   • If available you must submit the original certificate of documentation.
   • You will need to include the Official Number that was issued for the documented vessel.
   Note: A letter of deletion will not be issued if a preferred mortgage is still existing.

3. Completed and Signed Application - ( Adobe PDF format - file size 57Kb)
4. Pencil Tracing, if traceable or Photograph of Hull ID Number
5. Fee for registration, title
6. Casual excise tax

If you choose to document the vessel versus title and registration you will need to contact the United States Coast Guard:

United States Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center

U.S.C.G. Address, Fax and Phone

Outboard Motor on your Documented Vessel

If the documented vessel is propelled by outboard motor(s), the outboard motor is required to be titled, if the state of principle use is South Carolina.

Any vessel that is documented by the United States Coast Guard (U.S.C.G.) can be operated on the waters of this state with no additional S.C. registration issued by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Documented Vessels are exempt from registration in South Carolina.