Washington car title transfer

At a glance

Buyer's signature

The buyer's transfer paperwork is signed in front of a licensing agent, or in front of a notary if signed before the office visit.

Bill of sale

Both sign a Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale unless the price and date are on the title.

Odometer

For model year 2011 or newer, the odometer section on the title is filled out.

Buyer's deadline

The buyer has 15 days to transfer ownership; penalties start at $50 on day 16, plus $2 a day up to $125.

Plates

The seller removes the plates; the buyer gets new ones.

Seller's report

The seller submits a Report of Sale within 5 days ($18 fee by mail).

Agency

Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)

Finding a notary: a local notary near the buyer and seller is the simplest route, since everyone usually signs at once. MCC Solutions meets people in person only in New Jersey; for other paperwork in the sale we also offer remote online notarization, where the receiving office accepts it.

If you're selling

1. Find the title and clear any lien. Have the original title in hand. If a lender is listed, get the lien release or the lender's sign-off before the sale; the buyer can't title the car over an open lien.
2. Write down the mileage. For model year 2011 or newer, the odometer section on the title is filled out.
3. Give the buyer a bill of sale. Both sign a Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale unless the price and date are on the title.
4. Deal with the plates. The seller removes the plates; the buyer gets new ones.
5. Report the sale. The seller submits a Report of Sale within 5 days ($18 fee by mail).
6. Cancel insurance and keep copies. Once the car is gone and the plates are off, call your insurer. Keep a photo of the signed title, the bill of sale and any sale report.

If you're buying

1. Check the title against the car and the seller. The VIN on the title should match the car, and the seller's ID should match the owner's name on the title. Ask about any lien listed on it.
2. Watch the title get signed. Seller: not confirmed whether a notary is needed. Buyer: The buyer's transfer paperwork is signed in front of a licensing agent, or in front of a notary if signed before the office visit.
3. Get a bill of sale. Both sign a Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale unless the price and date are on the title.
4. Check the mileage entry. For model year 2011 or newer, the odometer section on the title is filled out.
5. Insure the car before you drive it. Most states require insurance to register. Arrange it before driving away.
6. Title it in your name in time. The buyer has 15 days to transfer ownership; penalties start at $50 on day 16, plus $2 a day up to $125.
7. Plates and fees. The seller removes the plates; the buyer gets new ones.

Sold on the first of a month? See the due date for a December 1, 2026 sale.

Your own checklist, marked step by step: seller · buyer.

In the agency's words

Buyer

"If you sign before coming to a vehicle licensing office, you must sign in front of a notary."

Bill of sale

"unless the sale price and date are included on the title"

Deadline

"you have 15 days to transfer the ownership into your name."

Plates

"As the seller, you are legally obligated to remove the license plates from your vehicle."

Report of sale

"you are legally obligated to submit a Report of Sale within 5 days of the sale date."

Not stated on the pages we read: the seller's notary rule, the title fee.

Official sources

• WA DOL: Buy and register a vehicle (checked November 2026)
• WA DOL: Sell a vehicle (checked November 2026)

General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Forms, fees and deadlines change, a county office can add its own steps, and gifts, estates, liens and out-of-state titles follow other rules; the agency or an attorney can tell you how a rule applies to your sale. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with any motor vehicle agency.

Common questions

All states: car title notarization by state · Virginia