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How to Add a Name to Your South Carolina Vehicle Title

By Viola Travers · Practical Services & Civic Guide

How to add a name to a vehicle title in South Carolina

To add a name to a vehicle title in South Carolina, you file a form with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and pay a fee. The process depends on whether you want to add a co-owner (someone who shares ownership) or a lien holder (a lender who has a security interest in the vehicle). Most name additions take two to four weeks to process by mail.

You cannot add a name online or by phone. The DMV requires a paper form, your current title, and proof of the person's identity. If the vehicle has an existing lien, the lender may need to sign off on the change, which can extend the timeline.

Key Takeaways

  • Adding a co-owner requires Form MV-1 (Application for Certificate of Title), a signed title, and a fee of $10 to $15 depending on the type of change.
  • Both the current owner and the new co-owner must sign the application; you cannot sign on behalf of someone else.
  • If the vehicle has a lien, contact the lender first to confirm they will allow a name change and whether they need to sign the title.
  • Mail your completed form, title, and fee to the DMV address listed on the form; processing takes two to four weeks.
  • The new title will list both names, and both owners have equal rights to the vehicle unless you specify otherwise.

What form you need and where to get it

The form you need is Form MV-1: Application for Certificate of Title. You can download it from the South Carolina DMV website or pick up a copy at any DMV office. The form is the same whether you are adding a co-owner or updating ownership after a marriage, divorce, or other name change.

Fill out the form completely, including the vehicle identification number (VIN), the current owner's name and address, and the new owner's name and address. Leave the section for the DMV blank. Both the current owner and the new owner must sign the form in front of a notary public or a DMV employee; you cannot sign for someone else.

Fees and what they cover

The fee for adding a name to a title is $10 if you are adding a co-owner or $15 if you are changing the title after a legal event such as marriage or inheritance. The fee covers the cost of issuing a new title with the updated name or names. You pay this fee once, regardless of how many names you are adding.

Some DMV offices accept cash, check, or money order. If you are mailing your application, include a check or money order made out to "South Carolina DMV." Do not send cash by mail. If you submit the form in person, ask which payment methods the office accepts.

If the vehicle has a lien

A lien is a legal claim a lender holds on the vehicle until you pay off the loan. If your title shows a lien holder's name, you must contact the lender before you add a co-owner. Some lenders allow name changes; others do not. The lender may require you to submit a written request or may need to sign the title themselves.

Call the lender's customer service number (listed on your loan documents or monthly statement) and ask whether they allow co-owners to be added. If they do, ask whether they need to sign the title or provide written consent. If they refuse, you cannot add a co-owner until the lien is paid off and released.

How to submit your application

You have two options: mail your application or submit it in person at a DMV office. By mail, send the completed and signed Form MV-1, your current title, and your fee to the DMV address listed on the form. Include a copy of the new owner's driver's license or state ID for identification purposes. Mail takes two to four weeks.

In person, bring the same documents to any DMV office during business hours. An employee can notarize your signature if needed, which speeds up the process. In-person submissions are usually processed faster than mail, sometimes within one to two weeks, but you will still need to wait for the new title to be printed and mailed to you.

What happens after you submit

The DMV will review your application and check that all signatures are present and the form is complete. If something is missing, they will contact you by mail or phone and ask you to resubmit. If everything is correct, they will issue a new title with both names listed.

The new title will be mailed to the address you listed on the form. Both owners have equal rights to the vehicle unless you specify otherwise on the application (for example, you can note if one person is a co-owner for insurance purposes only). Keep the new title in a safe place; you will need it if you sell the vehicle or refinance a loan.

If you need to remove a name instead

If you want to remove a name from the title—for example, after a divorce or if a co-owner wants to step back—you also use Form MV-1. Both the current owner and the person being removed must sign the form. If one person refuses to sign, you will need a court order to remove their name, which requires filing a lawsuit.

The process and fee are the same as adding a name. Submit the form, your current title, and the fee by mail or in person. The new title will list only the remaining owner or owners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my spouse's name to the title after we get married?

Yes. Use Form MV-1 and bring a copy of your marriage certificate along with your current title. Both spouses must sign the form. The fee is $15 because this is a title change due to a legal event. Processing takes two to four weeks.

What if the other person lives out of state?

They can still be added as a co-owner. They must sign Form MV-1 in front of a notary public in their state, and you must mail the notarized form to the DMV along with your title and fee. Include a copy of their out-of-state driver's license for identification.

Do both owners have to agree to sell the vehicle?

Yes. If the title lists two owners, both must sign the title when you sell the vehicle. If one owner refuses to sign, you cannot sell without a court order. This is why some people add a co-owner only for insurance purposes and note that on the application.

How long does it take to get the new title?

Two to four weeks by mail from the date the DMV receives your application. In-person submissions may be processed faster, but you still wait for the title to be printed and mailed. If you need the title urgently, contact the DMV to ask whether they can expedite it.

What if I made a mistake on the form?

Contact the DMV and ask them to return the form. Do not cross out or write over mistakes. Fill out a new Form MV-1 correctly and resubmit it with your title and fee. The DMV will not process a form with corrections written in by hand.