Have you recently lost your car title? Whether it was misplaced or stolen, you'll need to replace a lost car title in South Carolina. It's a legal document that proves your ownership and includes details about your vehicle, such as its make, model, and VIN (vehicle identification number). You need a valid title to sell or register a vehicle. After all, it's a legal requirement across the United States.

In this guide from Carolina Title Loans, Inc., we explain how to obtain a duplicate car title in South Carolina to replace a misplaced one. We will review the process for replacing a vehicle title online in South Carolina, so you can obtain your car title if you need to get a title loan for emergency cash.

How To Replace A Lost Car Title In South Carolina: A Step-By-Step Guide

Replacing a lost SC car title is important because you need it to prove your legal ownership of a vehicle. If you plan on selling or registering your vehicle, you cannot do it with a missing title. You can also use a fully paid-off vehicle title to get a title loan for emergency financing.

Thankfully, the process for replacing a lost vehicle title in South Carolina is simple; you will just need to complete a few steps. You can complete this process in person, online, or via mail.

Learn how to get an expedited same-day duplicate title in SC:

1. Fill Out The Lost, Stolen, Or Damaged Certificate Of Title Report

To begin the process of replacing your SC vehicle title, you must complete two forms. The first of these is the Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Certificate of Title Report, also known as the Form TI004A. This reports your vehicle title as missing and begins the process of getting a new one issued.

Here is some of the information you will need to provide on this form:

• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Lost/destroyed/stolen title number
• Name, address, and phone number of the vehicle owner
• Whether the title was lost, stolen, or destroyed
• The date the title went missing
• Signature of the registered owner

Once you have completed this form, you can fill out the SCDMV Form 400 for a duplicate title. Both of these forms can be found and printed online.

2. Complete The SCDMV Form 400 For A Duplicate Title

The SC Department of Motor Vehicles can only issue you another title document if you complete this form. You will only need to complete sections 1, 2, and 4 for a duplicate title.

Accuracy is essential here, so double- and triple-check the information you provide before submitting it. Remember that you can't use correction fluid, tape, strikeovers, or erasures on the form, or else your application will get rejected.

Here is what you will need to provide in section 1:

• Transaction type (check "title" here)
• Title-specific information (check "duplicate title" here)
• Special vehicle type (if applicable)
• VIN
• Make and model
• Year
• Body style
• Fuel type
• Empty weight
• Primary owner's full name and date of birth
• Any co-owner's full name and date of birth
• Primary owner's address
• Any co-owner addresses
• Update voter registration
• Address where the vehicle is kept (if different from your address)
• Phone number
• Leasing company information (if your vehicle is leased)

The following is the information necessary for section 2:

• Odometer mileage
• Lien information (if applicable)
• Additional information (including prior title state and number, date first used in SC, and energy efficiency)
• IMF/sales tax
• Purchase information

You can finish the form by providing the following information on section 4:

• Whether to donate life SC and the amount
• Signature
• Date
• Co-owner signature

If you complete the process online, just remember that your SCDMV address must be current. Once you have completed both forms, you can visit your local South Carolina DMV office to complete the process in person.

3. Submit Your Forms To A South Carolina DMV Office

To finish the process, you will need to prove your identity first. Any document accepted to pass airport security can be utilized, such as a US passport, US passport card, military ID, driver's license, or another federal identification.

Depending on your situation, you may need one of the following forms instead of your government-issued identification:

• SCDMV Form MV-80 — Otherwise known as an Agent Authorization for Title Pick-up form, it is used by companies when they send somebody to pick up the title in their place.
• SCDMV Form MV-80A — Also known as the Third Party Title Pick-Up form, you must complete it if you pick up the title for another person.

You will also need to submit the SCDMV Form 400 and Form TI004A. To finish the process, you will need to pay a fee. It costs $15 for a duplicate title and an extra $20 (for $35 total) for an expedited same-day duplicate title in SC.

You can either bring these forms and pay the fees in person at a DMV office or send them via mail. When paying fees by mail, you must send a check, as the SCDMV cannot accept cash. Make the check or money order payable to the SCMDV. You can send it to the following address:

SCDMV

Titles

PO Box 1498

Blythewood, SC 29016-0024

Same-day printing to get your duplicate title immediately is available only when you visit in person. When completing the process online or via mail, it can take up to one month for you to receive the duplicate title. Once you have your replacement SC title, you can use it to get fast emergency cash through car title loans.

How To Get A Title Loan In South Carolina

You can only get a title loan to borrow money from your car’s value if you own it outright. You must have fully paid off your car, truck, or van’s outstanding balance before applying. Once you own it outright, you can use your car’s title as collateral to borrow up to $15,000.

You will only need three required items: a driver’s license, a lien-free vehicle title in your name, and your vehicle for an inspection. This loan should be used as a last resort when faced with urgent costs you cannot afford. The process is fast and stress-free, only requiring a few steps that can take less than a day.

Here is how to get approved for a title loan in South Carolina:

• Fill out our online inquiry form with your basic information
• Answer a phone call to discuss title loan terms
• Gather your required items and head to the nearest South Carolina store location
• Get your requirements verified and vehicle inspected for its value
• If approved, sign the loan agreement to finish the process
• Receive your title loan funds later the same day or by the next business day

Get Approved For A Title Loan In South Carolina – Borrow Up To $15,000 Today!

Once you have gone through the process to replace a vehicle title online in South Carolina, you can use your replacement title to get a title loan. As long as you have fully paid off your loans, debts, and/or judgments, you can borrow up to $15,000 by using your vehicle title as collateral.

You get to keep your car during loan repayment, you don't need good credit to get approved, and you can qualify with no income required. Ready to get started? Fill out our online title loan form, and you can visit us in person to get approved in 30 minutes!

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.