Are you new to Myrtle Beach area? What SC law says you should do in first 30 days here

Terri Richardson
·3 min read

Thousands of people each year decide to call the Myrtle Beach area home.

It’s for this reason that Horry County is the fastest growing county in South Carolina and one of the fastest growing areas in the country.

If you are one of those who have made a recent move to South Carolina, there are some things you should do in the first 30 days as a new state resident.

Most are required by law and could end up costing you more money if you don’t do them.

Here’s a checklist of what you need to do and when.

Within 30 days

  • Update your address. If you haven’t already, contact the United States Postal Service and forward your mail. You can go to the USPS change-of-address website at https://moversguide.usps.com/mgo/disclaimer. You can select a date to start forwarding your mail, but it can be no more than 30 days prior to you moving or three months after you move.

  • Give notification of address change. If you have moved to a new address in South Carolina, you must notify the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of the change. You can do this either online, by mail, or in person.

  • Update your car insurance. South Carolina has requirements for the amount of insurance you must have to legally drive in the state. You should check your insurance policy to make sure your coverage meets the state requirements.

45 days

  • Register your out-of-state vehicle. You have 45 days to register your vehicle when you become a resident of the state. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles offers instructions on its site. Note: In South Carolina, taxes on your vehicle are paid a year ahead. That means that before you can register your vehicle with the DMV, you must first pay the property taxes that are required in the county in which you reside. In Horry County, you can file your vehicle with the Horry County Auditor’s Office and pay your taxes with the Treasurer. You then will take your receipt to the DMV to get your license plate and registration.

90 days or more

  • Apply for legal residence property tax in Horry County. To qualify for the special 4% property tax assessment ratio, the property owner must have owned and occupied the home as a legal residence for some period during the tax year. The owner of the property or the owner’s agent must apply for the 4% assessment ratio before the first penalty date for the payment of taxes for the tax year. The most recent property taxes were due Jan. 15. If an application for the special 4% assessment is not made on a legal residence, a 6% assessment ratio is applied to the property.