South Carolina Form MV-103, the Affidavit of Responsibility, is a one-page SCDMV document you sign when titling a vehicle whose previous jurisdiction does not record lienholders on the certificate of title. By signing it, you accept personal responsibility for any undisclosed liens on the vehicle, and the new South Carolina title is issued with an “Undisclosed Lien” brand that stays on it for at least 120 days.1South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Affidavit of Responsibility MV-103
When You Actually Need This Form
There are two situations that call for MV-103. The first is titling a vehicle last registered in a state or country whose laws do not require lienholders to appear on the certificate of title. South Carolina has no way to confirm whether a lien exists in that jurisdiction, so it shifts the risk to you.2South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 56 Chapter 19 – Section 56-19-300
The second is when a South Carolina title is being issued without a previous title to support it. The form itself requires the applicant to have “exhausted all remedies in an attempt to obtain the previously issued title.”1South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Affidavit of Responsibility MV-103
If your previous state does list lienholders on the title and your title is clean, you do not need MV-103. Submitting it anyway brands your new South Carolina title with “Undisclosed Lien” for no reason.
What You’re Agreeing To
Your signature binds you to three declarations: that you have tried every available avenue to obtain the previously issued title, that to your knowledge no outstanding liens exist beyond those disclosed on your Form 400, and that you accept full responsibility if any other liens or encumbrances surface later.1South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Affidavit of Responsibility MV-103
That third declaration carries the real financial exposure. If a lender from the vehicle’s previous state later proves a valid lien, the liability is yours, not the SCDMV’s and not the previous owner’s. For a higher-value vehicle, run a lien check through the previous state’s DMV or a commercial vehicle history service before you sign.
How to Fill Out the Form
You can download MV-103 as a Word document from the SCDMV website or pick it up at any branch office. The fields are short:
- Your full legal name as it should appear on the South Carolina title, with street address, city, state, and ZIP.
- Vehicle make, model, year, and the full VIN. Copy the VIN exactly as it appears on the dashboard plate or door jamb; a single transposed character will delay processing.
- Signature and date. Co-applicants both sign.
- Printed name below the signature. The job title field applies only if you are signing on behalf of a business, such as a dealership or fleet company.
Submitting the Form
MV-103 is never filed on its own. It is a supporting affidavit that accompanies a completed Form 400, the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration, which the SCDMV lists as the primary requirement for all title transactions.3South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Titles
You can submit the paperwork in person at any SCDMV branch, which is the faster route, or mail it to the SCDMV at PO Box 1498, Blythewood, SC 29016.4South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. SCDMV Home The standard title fee is $15.5South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Fees
The Undisclosed Lien Brand and Removing It
Any title issued with MV-103 is branded with the legend “THIS VEHICLE MAY BE SUBJECT TO AN UNDISCLOSED LIEN” required by Section 56-19-300.2South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 56 Chapter 19 – Section 56-19-300 Per SCDMV Policy TI-006, the brand must remain on the title for a minimum of 120 days, which gives potential lienholders from other jurisdictions time to assert their claims.1South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Affidavit of Responsibility MV-103
Once 120 days have passed, you can request a clean title by applying for a replacement and paying the $15 title fee again.5South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Fees The brand is not removed automatically; you have to request the replacement. If you plan to sell the vehicle, clearing the brand first avoids losing buyers who see “UNDISCLOSED LIEN” on the face of the title.
Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
The most frequent issue is submitting MV-103 without Form 400. The SCDMV will not process the affidavit as a standalone document, so your Form 400 needs to be fully completed, including any lien information for your current lender, before you attach the MV-103.
Another common error is a VIN mismatch between the two forms. If the VIN on the MV-103 does not match the Form 400 exactly, the application gets kicked back. Check both against the physical VIN plate before submitting.
The last is signing MV-103 when it is not required. If the previous state records lienholders on the title and your title is clean, submit Form 400 with the original title alone and skip the affidavit.