How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Washington From Out of State
Individuals relocating to Washington from another jurisdiction must comply with motor vehicle registration standards administered by the Washington State Department of Licensing. State statutes specified in RCW 46.16A.140 require new Washington residents to complete vehicle registration within 30 days following establishment of residency.
Base Registration and Title Fees
The financial obligations for registering an out-of-state vehicle in Washington encompass state-mandated registration charges, certificate of title application fees, service fees, filing fees, and weight-based assessments. The Washington State Department of Licensing delineates standardized charges applicable throughout all licensing jurisdictions within the state.
Standard State Fees
Washington establishes vehicle registration fees through a multi-component structure incorporating license tab fees, weight fees, filing fees, and service fees.
Core Registration Fees
| Fee Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| License Tab Fee | $30.00 |
| Filing Fee (Registration) | $4.50 |
| Filing Fee (Title Only) | $5.50 |
| Filing Fee (Title with Registration) | $10.00 |
| Service Fee (Registration) | $8.00 |
| Service Fee (Title Transaction) | $15.00 |
| Service Fee (Title with Registration) | $23.00 |
| License Service Fee | $0.75 |
| Additional Vehicle Weight Fee | $10.00 |
| Out-of-State Service Fee | $50.00 |
License Plate Fees
| Plate Service | Amount |
|---|---|
| Original License Plate (Vehicle) | $50.00 per plate |
| Original License Plate (Motorcycle) | $20.00 per plate |
| Plate Reflection Fee | $2.00 per plate |
| Plate Transfer Fee | $10.00 |
| Replace License Plates (Vehicle) | $30.00 |
| Replace License Plates (Motorcycle) | $27.25 |
Specialized Vehicle Registration Fees
| Vehicle Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| All-Terrain Vehicles (On/Off-Road) | $30.00 |
| All-Terrain Vehicles (Off-Road Only) | $18.00 |
| Mopeds | $30.00 |
| Off-Road Vehicles | $18.00 |
| Snowmobiles (< 30 years old) | $50.00 |
| Snowmobiles (≥ 30 years old) | $12.00 |
| Trailers (< 2,000 lbs) | $15.00 |
| Commercial Trailers | $20.00 |
| Camper (Original) | $4.90 |
| Camper (Renewal) | $3.50 |
Electric Vehicle Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Electric Vehicle Fee | $100.00 |
| Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Fee | $50.00 |
| Electric Motorcycle Fee | $30.00 |
| Transportation Electrification Fee | $75.00 |
Additional Service Fees
| Service | Amount |
|---|---|
| Replace Tabs (Passenger Vehicle/Trailer) | $13.75 |
| Replace Tabs (Trucks) | $13.00 |
| Trip Permit (Vehicle) | $25.00 |
| VIN Assignment | $5.00 |
| WA State Patrol VIN Inspection | $65.00 |
| Abandoned RV Disposal Fee | $6.00 |
| RV Sanitary Disposal Fee | $3.00 |
| Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement | $16.00 |
Variable Fees (Location and Vehicle-Specific)
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Tax | Varies by location | King, Pierce, Snohomish Counties only - based on vehicle value |
| Transportation Benefit District Fee | Varies by jurisdiction | Local fees set by individual districts |
| Gross Weight Fee | Varies | Based on declared gross weight for commercial vehicles |
| Emergency Medical Services Fee | Varies | Based on vehicle type and location |
Important Notes:
- Base Registration Cost: Minimum registration typically starts at $43.25 (before taxes, RTA, and location-specific fees)
- Weight Fees: Additional fees apply to commercial vehicles based on declared gross weight
- Use Tax: New residents pay use tax (0.3% state + local sales tax rate) on vehicle fair market value unless exempt
- Exemptions: Vehicles owned 90+ days before moving to Washington may be exempt from use tax
Title Fees
Washington mandates certificate of title issuance for all motor vehicles registered within the state. Title application fees apply to new title issuance, title transfers, and replacement certificates as specified in the vehicle title regulations.
Title Transaction Fees
| Title Service | Amount |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Title Application | $15.00 |
| Quick Title Service | $50.00 (plus standard fees) |
| Replace Lost Title (Vehicle/Trailer) | $35.50 |
| Duplicate Registration | $1.25 (plus filing/service fees) |
Late Fees and Penalties
| Penalty Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Title Transfer Late Fee (Day 16) | $50.00 |
| Title Transfer Late Fee (After Day 16) | $2.00 per day (max $125.00) |
New Resident Fee and Use Tax
Washington assesses a use tax on vehicles brought into the state by new residents or purchased from out-of-state sellers. The Department of Revenue administers use tax collection for motor vehicle transactions in coordination with the Department of Licensing.
State Use Tax
The state use tax represents the primary taxation mechanism for out-of-state vehicle acquisitions. The use tax calculation methodology is established under RCW 82.12.010 and applies to vehicle fair market value as determined by industry-standard valuation resources.
| Tax Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| State Use Tax | 0.3% plus local sales tax rate |
Use Tax Exemptions for New Residents:
New residents who owned and operated their vehicles for at least 90 days prior to establishing Washington residency qualify for use tax exemption. Vehicles owned for less than 90 days require proof of sales tax payment in the originating jurisdiction.
Local Sales Taxes
Municipal and county sales tax rates supplement the state use tax percentage. Combined state and local use tax rates vary across Washington jurisdictions.
Combined Sales Tax Rates by Major Counties and Cities
| County | City/Location | Local Rate | State Rate | Combined Sales Tax | Use Tax Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | Unincorporated Areas (RTA) | 3.70% | 6.50% | 10.20% | 10.50% |
| King County | Seattle | 3.85% | 6.50% | 10.35% | 10.65% |
| King County | Bellevue | 3.70% | 6.50% | 10.20% | 10.50% |
| King County | Renton | 3.80% | 6.50% | 10.30% | 10.60% |
| King County | Kent | 3.80% | 6.50% | 10.30% | 10.60% |
| King County | Federal Way | 3.70% | 6.50% | 10.20% | 10.50% |
| King County | Auburn (King County portion) | 3.80% | 6.50% | 10.30% | 10.60% |
| King County | Redmond | 3.80% | 6.50% | 10.30% | 10.60% |
| Pierce County | Unincorporated Areas (RTA) | 3.00% | 6.50% | 9.50% | 9.80% |
| Pierce County | Tacoma | 3.80% | 6.50% | 10.30% | 10.60% |
| Pierce County | Lakewood | 3.60% | 6.50% | 10.10% | 10.40% |
| Pierce County | Puyallup | 3.60% | 6.50% | 10.10% | 10.40% |
| Pierce County | Auburn (Pierce County portion) | 3.70% | 6.50% | 10.20% | 10.50% |
| Snohomish County | Unincorporated Areas (RTA) | 2.80% | 6.50% | 9.30% | 9.60% |
| Snohomish County | Everett | 3.40% | 6.50% | 9.90% | 10.20% |
| Snohomish County | Marysville | 2.90% | 6.50% | 9.40% | 9.70% |
| Snohomish County | Lynnwood | 4.10% | 6.50% | 10.60% | 10.90% |
| Snohomish County | Edmonds | 4.00% | 6.50% | 10.50% | 10.80% |
| Spokane County | Unincorporated Areas | 1.60% | 6.50% | 8.10% | 8.40% |
| Spokane County | Spokane (City) | 2.60% | 6.50% | 9.10% | 9.40% |
| Spokane County | Spokane Valley | 2.40% | 6.50% | 8.90% | 9.20% |
| Clark County | Unincorporated Areas | 1.30% | 6.50% | 7.80% | 8.10% |
| Clark County | Vancouver | 2.30% | 6.50% | 8.80% | 9.10% |
| Clark County | Camas | 2.10% | 6.50% | 8.60% | 8.90% |
| Thurston County | Unincorporated Areas | 1.80% | 6.50% | 8.30% | 8.60% |
| Thurston County | Olympia | 3.30% | 6.50% | 9.80% | 10.10% |
| Thurston County | Lacey | 3.20% | 6.50% | 9.70% | 10.00% |
| Thurston County | Tumwater | 3.20% | 6.50% | 9.70% | 10.00% |
| Whatcom County | Unincorporated Areas | 1.80% | 6.50% | 8.30% | 8.60% |
| Whatcom County | Bellingham | 2.70% | 6.50% | 9.20% | 9.50% |
| Whatcom County | Ferndale | 2.30% | 6.50% | 8.80% | 9.10% |
| Kitsap County | Unincorporated Areas | 2.70% | 6.50% | 9.20% | 9.50% |
| Kitsap County | Bremerton | 2.70% | 6.50% | 9.20% | 9.50% |
| Kitsap County | Port Orchard | 2.80% | 6.50% | 9.30% | 9.60% |
| Yakima County | Unincorporated Areas | 1.60% | 6.50% | 8.10% | 8.40% |
| Yakima County | Yakima (City) | 2.40% | 6.50% | 9.00% | 9.30% |
| Benton County | Unincorporated Areas | 1.60% | 6.50% | 8.10% | 8.40% |
| Benton County | Kennewick | 2.30% | 6.50% | 8.80% | 9.10% |
| Benton County | Richland | 2.20% | 6.50% | 8.70% | 9.00% |
State Patrol VIN Inspection
The Washington State Patrol administers Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verification services for out-of-state vehicles requiring identity confirmation as established by RCW 46.17.130.
| Service | Amount |
|---|---|
| VIN Inspection | $65.00 |
Government Agencies and Contact Information
Washington State Department of Licensing
PO Box 9030, Olympia, WA 98507
Phone: (360) 902-3900
Official Website: Washington State Department of Licensing
The Washington State Department of Licensing maintains regulatory authority over all motor vehicle registration, titling, and licensing operations conducted throughout the state. The department establishes fee schedules, administers online registration systems, and oversees vehicle licensing offices operating in all Washington counties.
Washington Vehicle Licensing Offices
Washington provides vehicle licensing services through county auditors and privately contracted licensing offices distributed across all jurisdictions.
King County Records and Licensing Services
201 South Jackson Street, Suite 206, Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 477-4000
Official Website: King County Vehicle and Vessel Licensing
Pierce County Auditor's Office
2401 South 35th Street, Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 798-3649
Official Website: Pierce County Auditor
Snohomish County Auditor's Office
3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 506, Everett, WA 98201
Phone: (425) 388-3371
Official Website: Snohomish County Licensing
Spokane County Auditor's Office
1116 West Broadway Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260
Phone: (509) 477-2222
Official Website: Spokane County Motor Vehicle Licensing
Clark County Auto License Department
1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: (564) 397-2288
Official Website: Clark County Auto License
Whatcom County Auditor's Office
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-5100
Official Website: Whatcom County Licensing
Yakima County Auditor's Office
128 North 2nd Street, Room 117, Yakima, WA 98901
Phone: (509) 574-1400
Official Website: Yakima County Licensing
Thurston County Auditor's Office
3000 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 786-5406
Official Website: Thurston County Licensing
Kitsap County Auditor's Office
614 Division Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366
Phone: (360) 337-4440
Official Website: Kitsap County Licensing
Benton County Auditor's Office
7122 W Okanogan Pl Ste E120, Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 736-2727
Official Website: Benton County Licensing
