{"data":{"id":"us-sc/s.c.-code-ann.-50-23-80--2","jurisdiction":"us-sc","citation":"S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-80","heading":"Processing of applications and issuance of certificates; records to be kept by department; withholding issuance of certificate.","body":"(A) The department shall file each application for certificate of title which is received by it, provided it is accompanied by the required fee and complies in all other respects with this chapter. When satisfied that the application is in proper form, that the applicant is the owner of the watercraft, and that there is no security interest in the watercraft not disclosed in the application, the department shall issue a certificate of title to the watercraft.\n(B) The department shall maintain a record of all certificates of title issued by it:\n(1) under a distinctive title number assigned to a watercraft;\n(2) under the identification number awarded to a watercraft in accordance with the registration and numbering act of the state in which it is registered;\n(3) alphabetically, under the name of the owner; and\n(4) in the discretion of the department, in any other method it determines.\n(C) All records of the department relating to the titling of watercraft shall be public records.\n(D) If the department is not satisfied that the applicant for a certificate of title to a watercraft is the bona fide owner of such watercraft and that there is no security interest in it not disclosed in the application, the department shall withhold the issuance of a certificate of title until the applicant reasonably satisfies the department that the applicant is the owner of the watercraft and that there are no undisclosed security interests in it.","path":["Title 50 - FISH, GAME AND WATERCRAFT","CHAPTER 23 Watercraft and Outboard Motors","ARTICLE 1 Titling of Watercraft"],"source_url":"https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t50c023.php","current_through":"2026 Session of the General Assembly","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-10-25T04:21:25Z","sha256":"8589db2b0c92210104b80b06ac96c7a1154ce6133454c691d771dbd95baba843","source_id":"us-sc","stale":false,"prev":"us-sc/s.c.-code-ann.-50-23-70--2","next":"us-sc/s.c.-code-ann.-50-23-90--2"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}