# S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-345: SECTION 50-23-345. Temporary certificate of number

> South Carolina · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-345

## Section

- **Citation:** S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-345
- **Heading:** SECTION 50-23-345. Temporary certificate of number
- **Jurisdiction:** South Carolina
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 50-23-345

## Text

(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. 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.

## Nearby sections

- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-310 SECTION 50-23-310. Numbering of vessels.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-310.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-320 SECTION 50-23-320. Exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-320.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-330 SECTION 50-23-330. Conformity to United States Government numbering system.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-330.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-340 SECTION 50-23-340. Application for and issuance of number and certificate; fee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-340.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-345 SECTION 50-23-345. Temporary certificate of number.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-345.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-350 SECTION 50-23-350. Issuance of certificates of number by agents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-350.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-360 SECTION 50-23-360. Display of number.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-360.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-370 SECTION 50-23-370. Expiration and renewal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-370.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-375 SECTION 50-23-375. Display of number or decal on watercraft or outboard motor other than that for which it was issued.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-375.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-380 SECTION 50-23-380. Transfer of registration upon change of ownership; fee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-380.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-385 SECTION 50-23-385. Houseboats with waste-holding tanks; indefinite mooring; waste pump-out.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-385.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-400 SECTION 50-23-400. Notice of change of address.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-400.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-420 SECTION 50-23-420. Display of hull identification number.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-420.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-425 SECTION 50-23-425. Denial of renewal of registration; proof of payment of property taxes on watercraft.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-425.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T50_C23_A3_S50-23-345. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.