Transferring Ownership

Due to Purchase from Private Party:

To transfer the ownership of a Washington titled vehicle into your name, you must bring the following documents into a vehicle license agency:

• Washington title with all proper releases
• Current registration, if available
• Bill of sale stating full purchase price and date of sale (use tax will be collected at time of transfer)
• Proper identification
• Odometer disclosure statement for all vehicles 9 years old or newer.
• An emission inspection is required at the time of transfer unless exempt by zip code or tested within the last 12 months. Proof is required.
• You have 15 calendar days from the date of sale to transfer the title before a penalty is charged. There is a $25.00 penalty on the 16th day and $2.00 each additional day to a maximum of $100.00.
• The transfer fee will be $15.50, licensing fee, if necessary plus a minimal subagency service fee, if applicable.

Due to Gift:

To transfer a Washington title vehicle into your name when the vehicle is a gift, you must bring the following documents into a vehicle license agency:

• Washington title with all proper releases
• Current registration, if available
• A statement of gift from the previous owner
• Proof that sales/use tax has been paid by the previous owner.
• Proper identification
• Odometer disclosure statement for all vehicles 9 years old or newer.
• An emission inspection is required at the time of transfer unless exempt by zip code or tested within the last 12 months. Proof is required.
• You have 15 calendar days from the date of the gift to transfer the title before a penalty is charged. There is a $25.00 penalty on the 16th day and $2.00 each additional day to a maximum of $100.00.
• The transfer fee will be $15.50, licensing fee, if necessary plus a minimal subagency service fee, if applicable.

Due to Divorce:

To transfer a Washington title acquired through a divorce, you must bring the following documents into a vehicle license agency:

• Washington title
• Proper release of interest on the title or one of the following:
• A certified copy of the marriage dissolution awarding you the vehicle, or
• A Form K from the County Clerk's office.
• Current registration, if available.
• Proper identification.
• Odometer disclosure statement for all vehicle 9 years old or newer.
• An emissions inspection will be required at the time of transfer unless exempt, if your residence is outside the emission testing area or if you have proof the vehicle was tested within the last 12 months prior to transfer.
• The transfer fee will be $15.50, licensing fee, if applicable, plus a minimal subagency service fee, if applicable.

Due to Death:

Due to the complex nature of the required documentation to transfer a title due to a death, we recommend you contact your closest license agency and speak with a vehicle license customer service representative. Click here for a listing of subagencies.

For questions or comments regarding these pages, please call the King County Licensing office, (206) 296-4025, or send e-mail to licensing@kingcounty.gov.

Updated:  December 27, 2002

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