Do I Need a Vehicle Transfer on Death Designation in South Carolina?
Answer a few questions about how your vehicle is titled to see whether a transfer-on-death designation applies for avoiding probate on a vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. South Carolina allows a transfer on death (tod) designation on a vehicle title.S.C. Code Ann. 62-6-401Verified Aug 25, 2026View source It passes the vehicle to a named beneficiary at death without probate.
South Carolina allows a transfer on death (tod) designation on vehicle, mobile home, watercraft, outboard motor, and similar titled personal property. Watercraft and outboard motors are titled by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, not the SCDMV (S.C. Code Ann. 62-6-401(G)); the SCDMV TOD-1 process covers vehicles and mobile homes. SCDNR runs a parallel process on its own Transfer On Death (TOD) Beneficiary Designation Application.S.C. Code Ann. 62-6-401Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
Add the designation through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) using Application for Transfer on Death (Form TOD-1). Notarization is not required.S.C. Code Ann. 62-6-401Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
You file the completed designation with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) by mail to SCDMV, 10311 Wilson Blvd., Building C, Blythewood, SC 29016-0038 or in person.South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) filing processVerified Aug 25, 2026View source Adding a vehicle TOD beneficiary is a title transaction: submit the TOD-1 with a Form 400 and the existing certificate of title by mail or in person at an SCDMV branch. Form 400 (Rev. 12/2025) carries a "RECORD TRANSFER ON DEATH (must complete Form TOD-1)" transaction box. The SCDMV online services portal (renewals, duplicate titles, address changes) has no path to add a TOD beneficiary or issue a beneficiary-form title.
Yes. South Carolina allows more than one beneficiary on a vehicle transfer on death (tod) designation. Surviving beneficiaries take the vehicle as tenants in common.S.C. Code Ann. 62-6-401Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
Yes. The designation can be changed or cancelled at any time during your lifetime. In South Carolina: Submit a TOD-1 marking the "Remove Beneficiary" option, with a Form 400 and the existing title., A sole owner may revoke or modify at any time without beneficiary consent; multiple owners must act together to revoke or modify..S.C. Code Ann. 62-6-401Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
The beneficiary retitles the vehicle with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) by submitting: The existing South Carolina certificate of title, A certified death certificate of the vehicle owner(s) showing the beneficiary survived all owners, $15 title fee, A Title and/or Registration Application (Form 400). A vehicle designation covers only that vehicle — to keep a home, accounts, and everything else out of probate in one document, SimplyTrust sets up a revocable trust online.
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