Boats and Watercraft

As of January 1, 2020, boats, boat motors and watercraft will be paid for the year for which the registration is to be issued. You should receive a tax notice once a year during the month the registration is due.

New boats are handled different. We recommend you go to DNR’s website for more information on the registration of your boat, boat motor and watercraft at:
A customer can renew their watercraft in person at a SCDNR Regional Office, online, through the mail or by calling 1-866-714-3611.  You will need your title number, registration number and the last four digits of the primary owner’s driver’s license number for renewal online or through the call center.  If you renew online or through the call center you may operate your boat with your sc.gov order number or printed receipt until your decals arrive by mail.
To update an address for a watercraft or motor please submit the SC DNR notification of address change form to the SC DNR:


SECTION 12‑37‑3200.
Tax year for boats, boat motors, and watercraft.

The tax year for boats, boat motors, and watercraft subject to property tax pursuant to Section 12‑37‑714 begins with the last day of the month in which a certificate of number required by Section 50‑23‑370 is issued and ends on the last day of the month in which the certificate of number expires or is due to expire. No 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. All ad valorem taxes on a boat, boat motor, or watercraft are due and payable one hundred twenty days from the date of purchase.

HISTORY: 2018 Act No. 223 (H.4715), Section 8, effective January 1, 2020.