Title Transfers in Washington

How to Transfer Your Vehicle Title in Washington
  • Have the previous owner sign the vehicle over to you.
  • Complete a bill of sale with previous owner and complete a title application.
  • Submit forms and payment to the DOL by mail or in person.

Continue reading for more details.

There are many instances where you may have to perform a title transfer for your vehicle. Read below to learn the steps to accomplish a title transfer under varying circumstances.

UPDATE: Washington Ends Vehicle Inspection Program

On January 2, 2020, the state of Washington ended its requirement for vehicle emissions inspections prior to registration and/or renewal. The clean air program begun in 1982 had a projected end date of 2020—as the state has confirmed a significant improvement in air quality, the program is no longer needed.

For more information, head over to the Washington Department of Ecology's announcement.

New-to-State Titles

Once you have established residency in Washington, you must register your vehicle within 30 days. Please note that you must FIRST apply for a WA driver's license. Check out our page on registering your vehicle in Washington for more on the process and cost.

The DOL will issue you a Washington title along with your registration. To get your Washington title and registration, you can submit the following to the DOL:

  • If your car is model year 2011 or newer- An Odometer Disclosure Statement. You can only obtain this form:
  • If you've owned your car for less than 90 daysVehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form TD-420-065).
  • A completed Vehicle Certificate of Ownership (Title) Application (Form TD-420-001) .
    • You must have this application notarized, OR you must sign in front of a DOL employee.
  • A copy of your current title.
    • NOTE: If your car has a lien against it, you will not be issued a WA title. You can apply for a WA title once the lien has been released. Read the Removing a Lien section below for more information.
  • Payment for the $15 title transfer service fee plus any other applicable titling fees.

You can submit all of the above to the DOL:

  • By mail to the address listed in the application – You will have to wait for your license plates to be mailed to you.
  • In person at a vehicle licensing office – Your plates will be issued to you on the spot.

Your title should arrive within 8 weeks, but if you need it faster, visit or mail your forms and payment to a Quick Title office, along with an additional $85.50 expedited fee.

Buying or Selling a Vehicle in Washington

Take the following steps when transferring a title after you purchase or sell a vehicle in Washington. Check out our page on registering your vehicle in Washington for more about the registration cost and process.

Buying from a Dealer

Licensed car dealers in Washington are equipped to handle the basic administrative DOL tasks including titling and registering your brand new car. This means you do not have to worry about transferring the vehicle's title to your name. You will simply need to provide your valid, current Washington driver's license.

Typically, any associated DOL fees will be paid through your dealer as part of the sale.

Buying from a Private Party

Once you complete a vehicle purchase from a private party in Washington, you must transfer the title to your name within 15 days. If you fail to transfer your title within the required 15 days, you'll be subject to the following penalties:

  • On the 16th day: $50.
  • All subsequent days: $2 per day, up to a total of $125.

To complete the transfer, take the following steps:

  • Provide the original vehicle title* from the seller.
  • Make sure the buyer removes the license plates and either transfers or surrenders them.
  • If the car is less than 2011 – Complete an Odometer Disclosure Statement; you can only obtain this form:
  • Complete a Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form TD-420-065).
    • Filled out by you and the seller.
  • Complete a Vehicle Certificate of Ownership (Title) Application (Form TD-420-001).
    • All owners wishing to be named on the title must sign this application in front of a notary public OR in front of an employee at a vehicle licensing office.
  • Submit all documents, plus payment for the your title fee (varies by vehicle) and the $15 title transfer fee, to the WA Department of Licensing at any vehicle licensing office OR by mail on the address listed on your application (if notarized).

Expect your title to arrive within 8 weeks. For expedited titles, mail or bring your forms and payment, along with a $85.50 quick title fee, to any Quick Title office.

* NOTE: If the seller has lost or misplaced the original title, please see Duplicate Titles in WA below.

Selling Your Car

Take the following steps to transfer your car to a Washington buyer:

  • Complete all transfer information on the back of your current WA title, including the:
    • License plate number.
    • Date and price of sale.
    • Name of the buyer.
    • Vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • Complete a Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form TD-420-065) with the buyer.
  • Remove the license plates and either surrender or transfer them.
  • Report the sale to the DOL within 5 business days of the transaction. The fee is $13.25. You can do this:

Gifted & Donated Vehicle Title Transfers

Receiving a Gifted Vehicle

Transferring a Washington vehicle title to your name after a car has been gifted to you is a similar process to applying for a title transfer after you have purchased a car from a private seller. Note the following differences:

  • On the Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form TD-420-065), enter “0" for the sale price.
  • If possible, obtain any proof from the person gifting the car that all sales or use tax on the car have been paid. This will save you from having to pay this tax yourself.
    • If no proof can be provided, you will be responsible for 0.3% use tax.
    • If the car is 7 years old or older, you do not have to pay sales or use tax.
  • Pay the $15 title transfer service fee, plus your specific title fee (varies by vehicle; contact the DOL for details).

Gifting a Vehicle to Another Party

Transferring ownership of a vehicle title is ultimately the responsibility of the person receiving the gifted car. However, you must:

  • Sign the current transfer over to the person receiving the gift.
  • Fill out the appropriate portion of the Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form TD-420-065).
  • Report the sale (gifting) to the DOL. You can do this:

It's helpful if you provide the recipient with proof of sales tax paid on the vehicle you're gifting them with. Otherwise, they will be required to pay use tax on the car.

Donating a Vehicle in Washington

When donating a car to an organization treat the transfer as if you were gifting the vehicle.

Remember to obtain documentation from the organization receiving your donation for tax purposes.

Removing a Lien

If you have finished paying off your car loan, you will need to have your lender release the lien on your Washington title, so that you can title and register the car under your name.

Typically lienholders will take care of this entire process for you. However, if your lienholder does not complete the lien release, you can submit one of the following to the WA DOL:

Contact your lienholder for details on obtaining the released title.

Changing Information on a WA Title

The following types of changes can be made on your Washington title:

  • Name change.
  • Address change.

Name Change

In order to change your name on your Washington title, submit the following to the WA DOL:

You can submit all of the above to the Department of Licensing:

  • In person at a vehicle licensing office.
  • By mail to:

Refunds and Title Services
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9043
Olympia, WA 98507

For further information on changing your name in Washington, please visit our guide to WA Name Changes.

Change Your Address

You can change your address on your Washington title and registration online at the DOL website or in person at a vehicle licensing office. Be ready to provide:

  • Your license plate number.
  • Your VIN.
  • Your former address.
  • Your new address.
  • Payment for the $15 service fee and applicable titling fee (your local DOL vehicle licensing office can give you the exact amount).

For more information on address changes in Washington, please visit our WA Change of Address page.

Duplicate Titles in WA

If you've misplaced the original WA title to your vehicle during a sale—or the seller has misplaced it if you're involved in a purchase—the vehicle owner will need to:

Forms

TD-420-040
Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest
Notify the WA Department of Licensing that title, registration, tabs, decals, OR license plates have been lost, stolen, OR destroyed. Releases you from that vehicle's interest.
TD-420-001
Vehicle Certificate of Ownership Title Application
Application for a Washington vehicle title. Must be notarized if you don't sign the application in front of a DOL agent.
TD-420-062
Vehicle Report of Sale
Notify the Washington DOL that you've transferred ownership (i.e. sold or gave away) of a vehicle.
TD-420-065
Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale
Bill of Sale form to complete when you buy or sell a vehicle OR vessel in Washington. The buyer will need to submit the completed Bill of Sale to the DOL when transferring the vehicle/vessel title into their name.
TD-420-047
Vehicle/Vessel Owner Name Update Affidavit for Individual
If your name has changed, submit this form to the Department of Licensing to update your WA vehicle/vessel records.
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