Moving to South Carolina

☐The SCDMV requires new residents to apply for a South Carolina license or ID within 45 days of moving to the state — with proof of identity, Social Security number, and proof of a current physical South Carolina address dated within nine months (two proofs for a REAL ID).

☐The SCDMV allows 45 days to transfer an out-of-state vehicle registration to South Carolina.

☐South Carolina has no length-of-residency requirement to register; registration at least 30 days before an election is the condition for voting in it (mail applications postmarked at least 30 days prior).

☐The 4% legal residence assessment ratio (SC Code §12-43-220(c)) applies to an owner-occupied legal residence, versus 6% otherwise — roughly halving the assessment. The application, filed with the county assessor before the first penalty date for the year first claimed, certifies under penalty of perjury that the owner is domiciled at the property and that no household member claims legal residence elsewhere, with proof including the most recent South Carolina return and South Carolina vehicle registrations.

☐The Homestead Exemption is a complete exemption of taxes on the first $50,000 in fair market value of the legal residence for homeowners over age 65, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind — county-administered, and separate from the 4% ratio.

☐Registration involves certifying liability coverage from an insurer licensed in South Carolina; SC Code §38-77-140 sets the minimums at $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage (25/50/25).

☐South Carolina allows a retirement income deduction of up to $3,000 annually before age 65 and up to $10,000 from age 65, plus a separate age-65 deduction of up to $15,000 against any South Carolina income (reduced by the retirement deduction claimed). Military retirement pay, Social Security, and railroad retirement are exempt.

☐Professional licenses and professional service providers are enumerated factors in the SCDOR's domicile guide — new South Carolina relationships create dated arrival-side records.

☐Civic ties, religious affiliation, social memberships, and library cards are enumerated factors — South Carolina participation is dated evidence of the new center of life.

☐The arrival year is a part-year year: the SCDOR treats the first year as part-year residency, filed on the SC1040 either as a full-year resident or as a nonresident with Schedule NR prorating deductions.