Moving to Georgetown County
A practical starting point for vehicle registration, schools, utilities and county services.
Official guidance checked November 8, 2026.
South Carolina insurance → Auditor’s tax bill → Treasurer’s official paid receipt → SCDMV title, registration and plates.
Registering an Out-of-State Vehicle
South Carolina’s new-resident guidance gives 45 days to transfer a driver’s license and vehicle title and registration. The vehicle steps below describe a typical same-owner move; purchases, leases, military situations and expired registrations can require different documents.
Arrange South Carolina Insurance
Have the required South Carolina insurance information ready before applying at SCDMV. Use the state’s moving-to-South-Carolina checklist for your vehicle’s circumstances.
Ask the County Auditor for a Vehicle Tax Bill
The Auditor assesses the vehicle and issues the county property-tax bill. Provide your Georgetown County address, VIN and ownership or registration documents. For an owned vehicle, have the title; for a financed vehicle, have current registration and lienholder information. A leased vehicle may require the registration, lease and a limited power of attorney.
The county accepts vehicle-document requests at [email protected] and asks applicants to allow two full business days. If high-mileage relief may apply, ask the Auditor before paying. County vehicle-tax instructions ↗
Pay the Treasurer and Obtain the Official Receipt
Pay the assessed county vehicle property tax, then obtain the official paid receipt for SCDMV. The amount depends on the vehicle and applicable assessment; it is separate from state title and registration fees.
A county online payment confirmation is not the official DMV tax receipt. The county says an official receipt is mailed within three business days, or a payment made at the Treasurer’s office computer can produce an official paid receipt. Plan that timing before your DMV visit. County payment and receipt guidance ↗
Complete the SCDMV Title and Registration Application
Bring Form 400, the applicable title or registration documents, insurance information, acceptable identification, the original official paid county tax receipt and payment for state fees. Follow the specific checklist for financed or leased vehicles. The state’s main and quick-help identification checklists differ, so confirm the identification accepted for your application with the branch before visiting.
For a typical existing, same-owner passenger vehicle transferred from another state, the listed state charges are generally a $250 infrastructure maintenance fee, $15 title fee and $40 registration fee. County tax and a driver’s-license fee are separate. Hybrid and electric surcharges, vehicle weight, specialty plates, age or disability rates and other circumstances can change the amount. A newly purchased vehicle follows different tax rules. Check current state fees ↗
County Offices and DMV Location
The Auditor and Treasurer are at 129 Screven Street in Georgetown. Their posted regular hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., excluding holidays.
The Georgetown SCDMV branch is at 214 Ridge Street. Posted hours are 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday. Check the branch page for closures before traveling.
Your Driver’s License and Address
The license transfer is a separate DMV process. Review the state’s new-resident license requirements for identity, Social Security, name-change and vision documents. REAL ID applications require two address proofs. If you are moving within South Carolina, report an address change within 10 days; a renewal tax bill from your old county may also need Auditor assistance before it expires. Address-change instructions ↗
Other Essentials
Official Reference Links
Use the linked agency checklists for the documents and charges that apply to your own vehicle. County motor-vehicle FAQ · SCDMV vehicle transfer · State fees · S.C. Department of Revenue fee guidance.