What Do I Need to Sign My Vehicle TOD Designation in South Carolina?

Notarization is not required for a vehicle tod to be valid in South Carolina.S.C. Code Ann. 62-6-401Verified Jul 14, 2026

South Carolina has not authorized Remote Online Notarization. In-person notarization is required for all documents, including vehicle TOD designations.

To execute a vehicle tod in South Carolina: Complete Application for Transfer on Death (TOD-1) from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). Sign and date the designation as the vehicle owner. Surrender the existing certificate of title so a new title can be issued in beneficiary form. Owner signs the titling form, then files it with the titling authority

A vehicle TOD designation lives on the vehicle's title, so it follows the state where the vehicle is titled, not where you signed anything. To make the designation effective for a South Carolina-titled vehicle, it has to be on a title issued by South Carolina under South Carolina's rules. If you move and retitle the vehicle in another state, you re-make the designation under that state's titling process. See the document portability tool for the full breakdown.