Title Transfers

When you buy or sell a vehicle in Washington, you are required to transfer the title to the new owner. The buyer will need the new title in order to register the car. Washington's Department of Licensing processes title transfers at its Vehicle Licensing Offices.

Among the documents you'll need when you go in person to a Vehicle Licensing Office are an odometer reading, the seller's signature of release on the old title, and a bill of sale.

Though you will need to show proper ID, you do not need to have a driver's license in order to hold the title to a vehicle.

If you bought the vehicle from a dealership, the dealer will process the title transfer for you. If you bought the vehicle from anyone other than a dealer, then you'll need to take steps to have the title transferred yourself at a Vehicle Licensing Office.

How to Apply

To transfer a title in Washington, you will need the following:

• Vehicle Certificate of Owner Application.

• Odometer Disclosure Statement if the car is less than 10 years old. This form is not available online, but you can pick one up at any Vehicle Licensing Office. Both the buyer and the seller must sign this form.

• The previous owner's signature of release on the title.

• If the original title is lost, then the seller will need to provide an Affidavit of Release of Interest signed by a notary public or
  County Auditor or subagent.

• Bill of sale.

• Emissions test certificate, if required.

• A $5 title application fee, plus any registration fees and taxes. Note that if you process your title at a licensing subagent rather than a county auditor, you might be asked to pay an additional $10 service fee.

You must have the title transferred within 15 days of buying a car. If you wait any longer, you will be fined $25 after 16 days and $2 for each additional day, up to a maximum of $100.

Changing Your Name on a Title

You will need to supply the Department of Licensing with:

• A Vehicle Certificate of Ownership Application

• A Name Change Affidavit

• A certified copy of the document verifying your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order)

• A $9 fee

You can either deposit all of this in person at any vehicle licensing office or send it by mail to:

• Department of Licensing

• P.O. Box 9909

• Olympia, WA 98507-8500

Adding or Deleting a Name

You cannot simply mail in a form to add or remove a name from a title. All involved parties must appear together at their local vehicle licensing office with the title. The office clerk will then instruct you what to sign and where and then issue you a new title for a fee of $15.50.

Gift Transfer

If you're giving a vehicle as a gift, you need to:

• Sign off on the title as if you're the seller.

• Include an odometer reading if the vehicle is 10 years old or newer.

• Provide verification that the vehicle's sales tax has been paid if you have owned the car less than seven years.

• Provide a "Letter of Gift" stating your intent along with the vehicle's description, the new owner's name, your signature, and the date.

The new owner must then take all of this evidence to the nearest vehicle licensing office and complete a Vehicle Certificate of Ownership Application.

Transferring a Title in the Event of Death

If you're a surviving spouse with joint ownership of the vehicle, bring a copy of the death certificate and the vehicle's title to your local vehicle licensing office. If, on the other hand, you were appointed the owner by the power of an attorney, you must also bring the letter certifying your ownership. A licensing agent will then help you process a new title.