What you need to do to transfer a car title in Washington

In Washington State, you transfer a car title by submitting a completed process for Title form to the Department of Licensing, along with proof of ownership, proof of payment, and identification. The process takes about two weeks by mail or same-day if you go in person to a licensing office. You will need the signed title from the seller, your bill of sale, and proof that you have paid sales tax or are exempt from it.

The Department of Licensing handles all title transfers in Washington — there is no county-level option. You can submit your paperwork by mail to the Olympia headquarters, visit any of the 60+ local licensing offices around the state, or use an authorized third-party service if you prefer not to handle it yourself. Most people either go in person or mail their documents, and both routes work equally well as long as you have everything the department asks for.

Key Takeaways

  • You must submit form DOL 343 (process for Title) along with the signed title from the seller, a bill of sale, and proof of sales tax payment or exemption.
  • The Department of Licensing processes all title transfers in Washington, and you can submit by mail, in person at a local office, or through an authorized service.
  • Processing takes about two weeks by mail or the same day if you submit in person, though you will receive your new title by mail either way.
  • You will need a Washington driver's license or state ID, and the seller must sign the title in front of a notary or at a licensing office.
  • If you are buying from a private party, you handle the paperwork yourself; if you are buying from a dealer, the dealer usually submits the transfer for you.

Documents the Department of Licensing requires

Start by gathering the signed title from the seller. In Washington, the title is form DOL 343-001, and the seller must sign it in the presence of a notary public or at a Department of Licensing office. If the title has two owners listed, both must sign. The signature cannot be witnessed by a family member, and the notary must be a commissioned Washington notary — online notaries are not accepted for title transfers.

Next, you need a bill of sale. This is a straightforward document that shows the purchase price, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the date of sale, and the names and signatures of both buyer and seller. Washington does not have a required form for the bill of sale, so you can write one yourself or use a template from the Department of Licensing website. The bill of sale does not need to be notarized, but it must be signed by both parties.

You will also need proof that sales tax has been paid or that you are exempt. If you bought the car from a Washington dealer, the dealer will have already collected sales tax and will provide you with a receipt. If you bought from a private party, you must pay sales tax to the Department of Licensing at the time you submit your title transfer — the current rate is 6.5 percent of the purchase price, though some counties add a local tax on top of that. Bring a receipt showing the purchase price, or be prepared to pay tax based on the value the Department of Licensing assigns to the vehicle.

How to get the seller's signature notarized

The seller must sign the title in front of a notary public. You can find notaries at banks, credit unions, UPS stores, and some libraries — call ahead to confirm they are available and ask about their fee, which typically ranges from five to fifteen dollars. The seller does not need to be present with you; they can go to a notary on their own and sign the title there, then give you the signed title to submit to the Department of Licensing.

Alternatively, both you and the seller can go to a Department of Licensing office together, and a licensing agent will witness the seller's signature at no charge. This is often the easiest route if you are both available, because you can submit your entire transfer process on the same day and walk out with a temporary title receipt.

Submitting your transfer by mail

To submit by mail, gather your signed title, bill of sale, proof of sales tax payment or exemption, and a copy of your Washington driver's license or state ID. Fill out form DOL 343 completely — include the vehicle identification number, the purchase price, and your new address. Mail everything to the Department of Licensing, P.O. Box 9030, Olympia, WA 98507-9030.

Include a check or money order for the title transfer fee, which is currently thirty-five dollars. If you owe sales tax, include payment for that as well — the Department of Licensing will calculate the amount based on the purchase price you list on the process. Do not send cash. Processing takes about two weeks from the date the department receives your mail, and you will receive your new title by mail at the address you provided on the process.

Keep a copy of everything you send for your records. If your mail is lost or the department does not receive it, you will have proof of what you submitted. You can track the status of your transfer by calling the Department of Licensing at 360-902-3900, though they will ask for your VIN or driver's license number to look up your case.

Submitting your transfer in person

Visit any Department of Licensing office with your signed title, bill of sale, proof of sales tax payment or exemption, and your Washington driver's license or state ID. Bring the original documents — photocopies are not accepted. If you do not have the seller's signature notarized yet, you can have it done at the office, though this adds time to your visit.

A licensing agent will review your documents, collect the thirty-five dollar title transfer fee and any sales tax owed, and give you a temporary title receipt on the spot. Your permanent title will arrive by mail within two weeks. Most offices do not require an appointment, but you can call ahead to confirm wait times. Offices are typically open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have extended hours on certain days.

What happens if the title has a lien on it

If the seller still owes money on the car, the title will show a lien holder — usually a bank or credit union. The lien holder must release the lien before you can transfer the title into your name. Ask the seller to contact their lender and request a lien release letter, which the lender will mail directly to the seller or to you.

Once you receive the lien release letter, include it with your title transfer process. The Department of Licensing will note the lien release in their records and issue you a clear title. If the seller is selling the car to pay off the loan, the lender may send the lien release directly to the Department of Licensing, in which case you do not need to do anything — just submit your transfer process as usual.

Using a third-party service to transfer your title

If you do not want to handle the paperwork yourself, you can hire a licensed title service to submit your transfer for you. These services charge a fee — typically fifty to one hundred fifty dollars — on top of the state's thirty-five dollar transfer fee and any sales tax owed. They will collect your documents, handle the notarization if needed, and submit everything to the Department of Licensing.

You can find authorized title services by searching online for "Washington title transfer service" or by asking at your local Department of Licensing office. Make sure the service is licensed by the state — the Department of Licensing maintains a list of authorized providers on its website. Using a service does not speed up the state's processing time, but it does save you the trip to a licensing office or the hassle of mailing documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have the car inspected before I transfer the title?

No. Washington does not require a pre-transfer inspection. You only need an inspection if you are registering the vehicle for the first time in Washington or if you are transferring a title for a vehicle that was previously registered out of state. The title transfer and vehicle registration are separate processes.

What if I bought the car from a dealer instead of a private party?

Most Washington dealers will submit the title transfer for you as part of the sale. Ask the dealer whether they handle the paperwork or whether you need to submit it yourself. If they handle it, they will collect the signed title, bill of sale, and sales tax at the time of purchase and submit everything to the Department of Licensing. You will receive your new title by mail within two weeks.

Can I drive the car before the new title arrives?

Yes, if you have a temporary title receipt. When you submit your transfer in person, the licensing agent will give you a receipt that serves as proof of ownership for up to thirty days. You can use this receipt to register the vehicle and drive it legally while you wait for your permanent title to arrive by mail. If you submit by mail, you will not have a temporary receipt, so you should not drive the car until your new title arrives.

What if the seller's name on the title does not match their ID?

Contact the Department of Licensing before you submit your transfer. If the seller's name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change, they may need to submit a corrected title first. The Department of Licensing can tell you what documents the seller needs to provide and whether this will delay your transfer.

How much does a title transfer cost in Washington?

The Department of Licensing charges thirty-five dollars for a title transfer. You will also owe sales tax on the purchase price — currently 6.5 percent statewide, though some counties add a local tax. If you use a third-party service, add their fee on top of the state charges. If you buy from a dealer, sales tax is usually included in the purchase price.