How To Transfer a Car Title in Washington 2026
In Washington State, both the acquiring party and the transferring owner carry distinct legal obligations in every motor vehicle title transaction. As established under RCW 46.12.650, any person who acquires a vehicle by purchase, exchange, gift, lease, inheritance, or legal action must apply to the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) for a new certificate of title within 15 calendar days of delivery. A financial penalty begins accruing on the 16th day under RCW 46.17.140, and failure to apply within 45 days of delivery constitutes a criminal misdemeanor. Concurrently, the seller is required by law to submit a Report of Sale to the DOL within 5 business days of the transfer date.
Washington DOL administers the title transfer process statewide, with applications accepted at vehicle licensing offices, Quick Title locations, or by mail.
Required Documents for Title Transfer in Washington
The following documents are required to complete a motor vehicle title transfer in Washington State. All registered owners must sign the Vehicle Title Application in person at a vehicle licensing office or before a licensed notary public — the form may not be pre-signed before appearing at the office.
| Document | Purpose | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Current Vehicle Title | Original title, signed in the release of interest section by all sellers | Always |
| Vehicle Title Application (Form 420001) | Official DOL application to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the buyer's name | Always |
| Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form 420065) | Documents the sale price, which is used to calculate use tax | Always |
| Odometer Disclosure | Records the vehicle's mileage at the time of transfer; required for model year 2011 and newer vehicles, or older vehicles not meeting exemption criteria | Conditional |
| Valid Unexpired Washington Driver's License | Required for all registered owners to sign the title application at a vehicle licensing office | Always |
| Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest (Form 420040) | Required when the original title cannot be located | If applicable |
| Affidavit of Inheritance/Litigation (Form 420041) | Required for title transfers resulting from the death of a registered owner or a court proceeding | If applicable |
| Lienholder Documentation | Required when a security interest exists on the vehicle; the secured party must either apply for a new title on the owner's behalf or provide all required documents to the owner | If applicable |
Note: Odometer disclosure is not required for vehicles manufactured in or before the 2010 model year that are transferred at least 10 years after January 1 of the vehicle's model year, or for vehicles manufactured in or after the 2011 model year transferred at least 20 years after January 1 of the model year. Separate odometer disclosure forms are available at any vehicle licensing office on tamper-proof paper and cannot be downloaded.
Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Washington
Step 1: Assemble Required Documentation
Before the transaction, the seller and buyer should confirm that all necessary documentation is to prevent processing delays. The Washington State DOL recommends that both parties meet at a vehicle licensing office to complete the transfer, which allows all paperwork to be executed and notarized on-site.
The seller must confirm:
- The current certificate of title is unaltered and accurately reflects the vehicle's ownership
- All outstanding liens against the title have been formally discharged, or the lienholder has authorized the transfer in writing
- A valid odometer reading is recorded and available for disclosure, if applicable
- License plates have been removed from the vehicle before delivery to the buyer
The buyer must confirm:
- A valid, unexpired Washington driver's license is available for all parties who will be listed as registered owners
- All required forms have been identified and are ready for completion
- Sufficient payment for title, registration fees, and applicable use tax is prepared
Step 2: Complete the Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure
Before transferring the title, both the seller and buyer must jointly execute a completed Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form 420065). This document records the agreed purchase price, which the DOL uses to calculate use tax on the vehicle. For gifted vehicles or inheritances, a sale price of zero is entered. Each party should retain a signed copy for personal records.
The Bill of Sale must include:
- Full names and addresses of the buyer and seller
- Vehicle year, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Date of sale and sale price (or notation of gift or inheritance)
- Signatures of both parties
For vehicles subject to odometer disclosure requirements, the mileage at the time of transfer must be recorded in the designated section on the certificate of title. If the title does not contain an odometer section, a separate form available at any vehicle licensing office must be completed.
Step 3: Execute the Title Endorsement and Release of Interest
As required by RCW 46.12.650, the seller must sign the release of interest section on the certificate of title and deliver the executed title to the buyer at the time of the transaction. All owners listed on the current title must sign. The seller must also provide the odometer disclosure statement to the buyer if one is required for the vehicle.
Important: The seller is legally obligated to remove the license plates from the vehicle before delivery. Washington license plates remain the property of the registered owner and must not be transferred with the vehicle to the buyer. Plates may be transferred to another vehicle owned by the same seller or surrendered at a vehicle licensing office.
Step 4: File the Report of Sale
As part of the obligations established under RCW 46.12.650, the seller must notify the DOL of the transfer by submitting a Vehicle Report of Sale (Form 420062) within 5 business days of the date of sale. Filing this report protects the seller from financial, civil, and criminal liability that may be incurred by the new owner after the transfer date.
The Report of Sale must include:
- License plate number of the vehicle
- Date of sale or transfer
- Sale price (enter zero for gifts or inheritances)
- Full name and current address of the acquiring party
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
| Filing Method | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online (without logging in or via License Express) | No fee | Processed immediately upon submission |
| In person at a vehicle licensing office | $13.25 | At time of submission |
| By mail to a vehicle licensing office | $13.25 (check payable to Department of Licensing) | 7–10 business days after receipt |
Step 5: Submit the Vehicle Title Application
The buyer must complete and submit a Vehicle Title Application (Form 420001) within 15 calendar days of delivery to avoid late penalties.
All registered owners must be present at the vehicle licensing office or must have their signatures notarized on the completed form before submission.
Step 6: Pay Required Fees and Receive the Certificate of Title
All applicable title, registration, and tax fees must be paid at the time of application submission. The following fees are established by the Washington State DOL vehicle tab fee schedule:
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title Application | $15.00 | Base fee for title issuance |
| Title Service Fee | $18.00 | Assessed on all title transactions |
| Title Filing Fee (title only) | $6.50 | Filing fee when applying for title without simultaneous registration |
| Title Filing Fee (title with registration) | $12.50 | Combined filing fee |
| Title Service Fee (title with registration) | $23.00 | Combined service fee |
| License Tab Fee (base — passenger vehicles) | $30.00 | Annual registration fee; varies by vehicle class |
| Registration Filing Fee | $6.00 | Annual fee per registration |
| Registration Service Fee | $11.00 | Annual service fee per registration |
| Quick Title Surcharge | +$50.00 | Applied when same-day or expedited title processing is requested |
| Late Transfer Penalty | $50.00 (day 16); +$2.00/day thereafter | Maximum total penalty of $125.00, per RCW 46.17.140 |
| Replace Lost Title | $35.50 | — |
| Motor Vehicle Use Tax | Varies by location | Calculated as 0.5% motor vehicle sales/use tax (effective January 1, 2026) plus the applicable local sales tax rate; see the DOL use tax page |
Applicants may use the DOL tab fee estimator to obtain a fee estimate before visiting an office. Payments may be made by cash or check at vehicle licensing offices.
Certificate of Title Processing and Delivery:
| Submission Method | Additional Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard — any vehicle licensing office | None | Title mailed in 6–8 weeks |
| Quick Title — eligible Quick Title office | +$50.00 | Title issued same day or within a few business days by mail |
| By mail | None | Contact the local vehicle licensing office for the mailing address and fee confirmation |
New license plates are required upon completion of a standard title transfer. Plate replacement may be waived for transfers between spouses or domestic partners, family member gifts or inheritances, trust-based transfers where the registered owner or immediate family members are beneficiaries, or removal of a deceased spouse or domestic partner from the title.
Contact Information
Washington State Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 902-3770
Official Website: Washington State Department of Licensing
