South Carolina § 50-23-345 - Temporary certificate of number.
Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 50-23-345 — Temporary certificate of number., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 50-23-345. Temporary certificate of number.
(A) A transferee shall utilize the temporary certificate of number on the department's application form as a temporary certificate of number to permit the use of watercraft while applications for certificates of number are processed. Temporary certificates of number apply to new and previously owned watercraft. A temporary certificate is valid for not more than sixty days from the date of purchase. No temporary certificate of number may be issued for a boat, boat motor, or watercraft until the ad valorem tax is paid for the year for which the registration is to be issued.
(B) When using a recently purchased watercraft under authority of a temporary certificate of number, the operator shall carry a copy of the bill of sale on board along with the temporary certificate of number.
(C) A temporary certificate of number must not be issued for a watercraft not having a hull or manufacturer's identification number.
(D) Duplicate or updated temporary certificates of number or updated bills of sale are prohibited.
(E) The number assigned to a temporary certificate of number must not be displayed on the watercraft.
(F) A transferee may operate a newly acquired outboard motor for sixty days while application for title is pending provided the bill of sale is in possession while operating the motor.
HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 128, SECTION 1; 2008 Act No. 344, SECTION 25, eff six months after approval (approved June 11, 2008); 2018 Act No. 223 (H.4715), SECTION 4, eff January 1, 2020.
Editor's Note
1999 Act No. 124, SECTION 2T, provided for the transfer of this section from Chapter 21 where it was numbered SECTION 50-21-340.
Effect of Amendment
The 2008 amendment rewrote subsection (A); in subsection (B), substituted "along with the temporary certificate of number" for "as temporary proof of ownership"; in subsection (C), added "or manufacturer's"; and added subsection (F) pertaining to operation while title application is pending.
2018 Act No. 223, SECTION 4, in (A), added the fourth sentence, providing a certificate of number may not be issued until ad valorem taxes are paid for the year in which the certificate is issued.
Source: official South Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 50-23-345
What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 50-23-345 cover?
Section 50-23-345 ("Temporary certificate of number.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Carolina § 50-23-345?
A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 50-23-345" (South Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.
How does South Carolina § 50-23-345 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.