Prior to charging a closing fee (sometimes referred to by other terms such as doc fee, doc prep fee, administrative fee, processing fee), a motor vehicle dealer must provide written notice to the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs of the maximum amount of a closing fee the dealer intends to charge.

*Please note the Department's new physical address is 293 Greystone Blvd., Ste. 400 | Columbia, SC | 29210*
**Mailings may still be sent to PO Box 5757 | Columbia, SC | 29250-5757**

General Information

• Memo Re: Motor Vehicle Closing Fee Analysis for Reasonableness (12/20/2019) (PDF)

• Memo Re: Annual Filing of Motor Vehicle Closing Fee (12/12/2017) (PDF)

• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) 

• User Guide for Printing Certificates (PDF) 

Law

• S.C. Code Ann. § 37-2-307

• 2016 Amendments (PDF)

Renewal

A motor vehicle dealer must file its proposed closing fee and pay the registration fee before January 31st of each year.

Filing Forms

• Registered Creditors Filing Instructions (PDF)

• Registered Creditors Filing Flowchart (PDF)

• Notice of Closing Fee Form (PDF) 

• Notice of Closing Fee Addendum (PDF) 

• Address/Name Change Form (PDF)

Other Filings

• Consumer Grantor Notification

• Maximum Rate Schedules - Be sure to use the Credit Sales Form.

Additional Information

• Consumer Credit: A Guide for Business - July 2012 (PDF)

• For a list of current closing fees by company, please see our Licensee Lookup page.