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The bottom line: Washington requires you to sign over the title, complete a Bill of Sale in most cases, remove your license plates, and file a Report of Sale within 5 days of the sale.
As the seller, you fill in the assignment section on the back of the title, hand it to the buyer, and keep your plates. The buyer takes the paperwork to a vehicle licensing office within 15 days to register the car in their name.
Key Takeaways
- Title notarization: Washington does not require your signature on the title assignment to be notarized, but if your title is missing, you must sign the Affidavit of Loss in front of a notary.
- Missing title: A replacement costs $35.50. Download Form 420-040, sign it before a notary, and submit it to a vehicle licensing office. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks by mail or 4 to 6 weeks in person.
- Buyer deadline: The buyer has 15 days to transfer the title. After that, a $50 late fee applies on day 16, plus $2 per day after that.
- License plates: They stay with you, not the car. Remove them before the buyer drives away.
- Release of liability: Washington requires you to file a Report of Sale within 5 days of the sale date. This protects you from tickets, towing charges, or accidents tied to the vehicle after it’s sold.
- Bill of sale: Required for all Washington private sales unless the sale price and date are already written on the title. Use the official state form.
- No emissions test: Washington ended its emissions testing program in January 2020. You don’t need any inspection to sell your car privately.
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Step-by-Step Process for Washington
Step 1: Prepare Your Washington Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Valid Washington driver’s license – Your name must match the title exactly
- Lien release documentation – Required if you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need to get a replacement first. Download Form 420-040 (Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest) and submit it to a vehicle licensing office with your ID and $35.50. All registered owners must sign this form in front of a notary public. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks by mail or 4 to 6 weeks in person. Same-day Quick Title service is available for an extra $50 at Quick Title offices.
If you still owe money on the car:
Your lender holds the lien on the title and must release it before you can transfer ownership. Contact your lender to get the lien released in writing. Most lenders will send you a lien release letter or endorse the title directly once the loan is paid in full. If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car?
Name matching requirement:
Check your title carefully. The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the title exactly. If you got married or changed your name, bring documentation showing the name change.
Notarization in Washington:
For a standard title transfer, your signature on the back of the title does not need to be notarized. However, if your title is missing and you’re submitting Form 420-040, notarization is required. Any mail-in title applications also require notarization or a certified signature from a vehicle licensing agent.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Clean your car inside and out, gather maintenance records, and run a VIN check to get the best price and build buyer confidence.
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Step 3: Price Your Car
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
Step 4: Advertise Your Car
Facebook Marketplace works best in Washington, especially in Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states like Oregon and Idaho.
Washington ended emissions testing in 2020, so older vehicles are easy for buyers to register, which can boost your pool of interested local buyers. Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, and Carvana will give you competitive offers if you have a newer car.
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Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
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Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at bank), or meet at buyer’s bank for wire transfer.
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Step 7: Complete the Washington Title Transfer
Flip the title over to the assignment section on the back. Fill in the buyer’s full legal name and address, the sale date, the sale price, and the current odometer reading. Sign your name exactly as it appears on the front of the title.
Use blue or black ink only. Do not use white-out, cross things out, or make corrections. Any alterations can void the title and force you to apply for a duplicate.
For vehicles model year 2011 or newer, you must also provide an odometer disclosure. This is a section on the title itself or a separate form you pick up at a vehicle licensing office. The odometer disclosure form is on tamper-proof paper and cannot be downloaded online. Vehicles model year 2010 and older are exempt from odometer disclosure.
If two people are listed on the title connected by “AND,” both sellers must sign. If the title uses “OR,” either owner can sign alone.
Once you’ve signed and handed over the title, the buyer takes it to a vehicle licensing office along with the Bill of Sale, a completed Vehicle Title Application (Form TD-420-001), proof of insurance, and payment for the title fee. The buyer must do this within 15 days of purchase.
If the buyer misses the 15-day deadline, a $50 late fee applies on day 16, plus $2 for each additional day up to a maximum of $125 in late penalties.
Step 8: Sign the Bill of Sale (Required)
Washington requires a Bill of Sale for private vehicle sales when the sale price and date are not included on the title itself. In practice, you should always complete one.
Use the official state form. Download Form 420-065 (Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale). Enter the actual sale price since the buyer uses this to calculate the use tax they owe when registering. If the vehicle is a gift or inheritance, enter zero.
Both you and the buyer sign and date the form. Keep a copy for your records. The Bill of Sale does not need to be notarized in Washington.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 9: Handle Washington License Plates and Registration
Remove your license plates before the buyer drives away. In Washington, plates belong to you (the owner), not the car.
You can transfer your plates to another vehicle of the same type (car plates to a car, truck plates to a truck), or destroy them. Washington does not let you transfer plates to a different vehicle class. The buyer gets new plates when they register the car.
If the buyer needs to drive the car home without plates, they can get a 3-day trip permit from a vehicle licensing office before the sale.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Submit the Report of Sale
File the Report of Sale with the Washington DOL after you sell the car. You must do this within 5 days of the sale date.
You can also download and mail Form 420-062 (Report of Sale) to a vehicle licensing office if you prefer paper.
This creates a paper trail showing you’re no longer responsible for the vehicle. Without it, you could face liability for tickets, accidents, or towing charges after the sale.
Step 11: Cancel Insurance
Cancel your insurance only after the title transfer is complete.
Learn more: When to Cancel Car Insurance After Selling a Car?
Washington DOL Resources
State Resources:
Phone Support:
- Washington DOL: (360) 902-3770
Washington Fees and Costs
| What You Pay | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $35.50 | Before sale |
| Quick Title service (optional) | +$50 | Before sale (same-day processing) |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays title fees and use tax |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title after we complete the sale?
The buyer has 15 days to transfer the title and register the car in Washington. If they miss that window, a $50 late fee kicks in on day 16, plus $2 for each day after that.
As the seller, your job is done once you file the Report of Sale within your own 5-day deadline. What the buyer does after that is their responsibility.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in Washington?
No, Washington does not require your signature on the title assignment to be notarized for a standard private sale. Just sign the back of the title in blue or black ink, exactly as your name appears on the front.
Notarization is required in Washington for the Affidavit of Loss (Form 420-040) when replacing a missing title, and for any mail-in title applications.
When is a Bill of Sale required in Washington?
Washington requires a Bill of Sale for private vehicle sales when the sale price and date are not already written on the title. In practice, always complete one.
It protects both you and the buyer, and the DOL uses it to calculate the buyer’s use tax.
Use the official state form (Form 420-065). You can also use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes.
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in Washington?
Yes, but you need to coordinate the lien release with your lender.
In Washington, the lender must either endorse the title directly or provide a notarized lien release letter before you can transfer clean ownership to the buyer.
If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket to clear the title.
My car was inherited. What additional Washington forms do I need?
If the estate went through probate, you’ll need a copy of the Letters Testamentary or court order along with the title and a completed Vehicle Title Application (Form TD-420-001) to transfer the vehicle into your name before selling.
For smaller estates that didn’t go through probate, Washington allows a Small Estate Affidavit when the estate’s gross value is under $100,000.
Contact a vehicle licensing office to confirm which documents apply to your situation.
Both my spouse and I are on the Washington title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on how the title is worded. If it says “AND” between the two names, both owners must sign. If it says “OR,” either one can sign alone.
Check the front of your title carefully before the meeting with the buyer so you know what to expect.
What if I make a mistake on the Washington title?
Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. Any alteration voids the title in Washington. You’ll need to apply for a duplicate title using Form 420-040, pay the $35.50 fee, and sign it before a notary.
Once you have the clean duplicate, complete the assignment section carefully on the new title.
The buyer is from out of state. Does Washington require anything special?
Your obligations as the seller are the same regardless of where the buyer lives. Sign the title, complete the Bill of Sale, remove your plates, and file the Report of Sale within 5 days.
The buyer will register the vehicle in their home state according to their local rules. They may need a VIN inspection or additional paperwork in some states, but that’s their responsibility to sort out.
Do Washington license plates transfer to the buyer?
No, Washington license plates stay with you (the seller). Remove them before the buyer drives away. You can transfer them to another vehicle of the same type (like-kind only), or destroy them.
The buyer must get new plates when they register the car at a vehicle licensing office.
Do I need to file a release of liability after selling my car in Washington?
Yes. Washington requires you to file a Report of Sale (Form 420-062) within 5 days of the sale. You can file through the DOL’s website or download and mail the form.
This step protects you from tickets, towing charges, accidents, or any other liability tied to the vehicle after you’ve sold it. Don’t skip it.
Article Update History
This guide reflects Washington's current DOL requirements.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.