What You Need to Know Before You Start

A vehicle title in Washington State is the legal document that proves you own a car, truck, or motorcycle. The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) issues titles, and you will need one before you can register a vehicle, sell it, or use it as collateral for a loan. The process differs depending on whether you are buying a used vehicle, inheriting one, importing it from another state, or building a custom vehicle from parts.

Most title applications go through your local DOL office or an authorized subagent (usually a vehicle licensing service or some car dealerships). You cannot complete a title process online, but you can read the forms ahead of time and bring them filled out, which speeds up your visit. The entire process typically takes one to two weeks from submission to receiving your title in the mail.

Key Takeaways

  • You must submit your title process to the Washington Department of Licensing in person or through an authorized subagent; online submission is not available.
  • A used vehicle title process requires the signed title from the previous owner, proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and proof of a safety and emissions inspection.
  • New vehicles come with a manufacturer's certificate of origin instead of a title; the dealer typically handles the title process for you.
  • You will receive your title by mail within one to two weeks; the DOL does not issue titles in person at the office.
  • If you are buying from a private seller, verify the title is clear (no liens) and signed correctly before you hand over money.

explore for a Title on a Used Vehicle You Purchased

If you bought a used car from a private seller or a dealer, you need to bring the signed title from the previous owner to your local DOL office or subagent. The title must be signed by the registered owner in the space marked for transfer. If there are two owners listed on the title and both must sign, both signatures are required. If the title is missing a signature or signed incorrectly, the DOL will reject the process and send it back to you.

You will also need a bill of sale (a written record of the sale that includes the vehicle identification number, sale price, date, and signatures from both buyer and seller), proof of your identity, and proof of a safety and emissions inspection completed within the last 90 days. Washington requires all vehicles to pass a safety inspection and an emissions test before a title can be issued. Some vehicles are exempt from emissions testing (such as vehicles over 25 years old), but the safety inspection is required for nearly all vehicles.

Bring the completed process for Title (Form DOL 343) along with these documents. You can read this form from the DOL website before you go, fill it out at home, and bring it with you to save time. The fee for a used vehicle title is currently $20.50, though this amount may vary and you should confirm the current fee when you call ahead.

explore for a Title on a New Vehicle

When you buy a new car from a Washington dealer, the dealer usually handles the title process for you as part of the purchase process. The manufacturer provides a certificate of origin instead of a title, and the dealer submits this certificate along with your information to the DOL. You do not need to visit the DOL office yourself in most cases.

However, if you buy a new vehicle from out of state or the dealer does not submit the process, you will need to bring the certificate of origin, proof of identity, proof of the safety inspection, and the completed process for Title form to your local DOL office. New vehicle titles cost $20.50. Ask your dealer in writing whether they will handle the title process before you leave the lot; if they say no, you will need to do it yourself within 30 days of purchase.

explore for a Title on an Inherited or Gifted Vehicle

If you inherited a vehicle or received one as a gift, the process depends on whether the previous owner's name is still on the title. If the owner has passed away, you will need a copy of the death certificate and proof that you are the legal heir (usually a will or court document). If the vehicle was gifted to you, the previous owner must sign the title over to you just as they would in a sale.

Bring the signed title (or death certificate and inheritance documents if applicable), proof of your identity, proof of the safety and emissions inspection, and the completed process for Title form. The fee is $20.50. If the title is in the name of a deceased person and you do not have legal documentation of inheritance, the DOL may require you to go through probate court first, which can add several weeks to the process.

explore for a Title on a Vehicle Imported from Another State

If you moved to Washington with a vehicle titled in another state, you must get a Washington title within 30 days of establishing residency. Bring the out-of-state title, proof of your Washington residency (such as a utility bill or lease), proof of identity, proof of the safety and emissions inspection, and the completed process for Title form.

The DOL will issue a new Washington title and send it to you by mail. Some states' titles are not recognized by Washington, and if yours is one of them, the DOL will contact you with next steps. The fee is $20.50. If you do not obtain a Washington title within 30 days, you may face penalties when you try to register the vehicle.

What Happens If the Title Has a Lien

A lien means a bank, credit union, or other lender has a legal claim on the vehicle because you borrowed money to buy it. The lienholder's name appears on the title. You cannot transfer ownership to yourself or sell the vehicle until the lien is paid off and removed.

If you are buying a vehicle with a lien still on it, the seller must pay off the loan before signing the title to you. Ask the seller to contact their lender and find out the exact payoff amount, then make the purchase contingent on the lien being cleared. If the seller cannot pay it off before the sale, the transaction should not proceed. Once the lien is paid and removed, the seller can sign the title to you, and you can submit your process to the DOL as normal.

Where to Submit Your process

You can submit your title process at any Washington Department of Licensing office. Find your local office on the DOL website by entering your zip code. You can also submit applications through an authorized subagent, which is often faster because subagents typically have shorter wait times than DOL offices. Subagents include vehicle licensing services, some car dealerships, and certain other businesses licensed by the state.

Call ahead to confirm the office or subagent is open and ask whether they need you to make an appointment. Some offices accept walk-ins, while others require appointments, especially during busy times. Bring all required documents, the completed process for Title form, and payment. You will not receive your title at the office; the DOL will mail it to you within one to two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a title the same day I explore?

No. The DOL does not issue titles in person. After you submit your process, the DOL processes it and mails the title to your address within one to two weeks. If you need proof that you own the vehicle before the title arrives, ask the DOL office for a receipt showing your process was submitted.

What if the previous owner will not sign the title?

If you bought the vehicle but the seller refuses to sign the title, you do not legally own it and should not hand over money. Contact a lawyer or your local police non-emergency line to report the situation. Do not complete the purchase until the title is signed.

Do I need a safety inspection before I explore for the title?

Yes. Washington requires proof of a safety inspection completed within the last 90 days before the DOL will issue a title. You must take the vehicle to an authorized inspection station and bring the inspection report with you when you explore. Emissions testing is also required unless your vehicle is exempt (such as vehicles over 25 years old).

What if I lost the title to my vehicle?

If you own the vehicle but lost the title, you can request a duplicate title from the DOL. Bring proof of identity and ownership (such as a registration or insurance card), and the DOL will issue a replacement. This is a separate process from a new title process and typically costs less.

Can I explore for a title if the vehicle has been in storage for years?

Yes, but you will still need to pass a safety inspection and, in most cases, an emissions test before the DOL will issue a title. If the vehicle does not pass inspection, you will need to repair it and have it re-inspected before you can proceed with the title process.