Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

How do you transfer a car title in Washington state?

What's the process for transferring a car title in Washington state? I'm trying to sell my car, but I don't exactly know how to transfer the title.

avatar
Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
While selling your car can sometimes be complicated, transferring your car title in Washington state is a relatively simple process!
You’ll need to provide your local DMV with the title’s information, a completed bill of sale form, and a report of the transaction within 15 days of the sale. Here is a more in-depth guide to transferring your car title in Washington state:
  • Complete and exchange the title. This document should be notarized and include a signature from both parties. It will also require both the buyer’s and seller’s ID.
  • Remove your license plate.
  • File all your documents including the seller’s bill of sale and the buyer’s certificate of ownership (which should be notarized).
  • Provide your ID and Residency documents along with your other papers.
  • Pay the title transfer fee — around $12 plus tax as of 2021.
You can complete these steps in person at a vehicle licensing office, or you can mail the required payment and documents to the address on your paperwork. Within ten weeks from sending in the paperwork, you should receive your new title!
Once you’ve sold the car, don’t forget to
remove it from your insurance policy
. Leaving active insurance on a recently sold car will hold you accountable for any incidents the new driver might cause.
For help canceling your old policy, or finding a new one, try
Jerry
. A licensed broker, the Jerry app can help you find and compare quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies for free!
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings