Washington vehicle bill of sale

Fill in the free Washington bill of sale on this page and print it.

DOL says the buyer and seller both need to sign a Bill of Sale before the buyer can apply for a new title, unless the sale price and date are included on the title. DOL uses the price to figure use tax. DOL's Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (TD-420-065) has no notary section. When the seller signs the release of interest on the title, no notary is needed. If the release of interest is not on the title, for example when a bill of sale is used in place of the title signature, the signatures must be notarized or certified by a licensing agent (WAC 308-56A-265).

Use the official form if you prefer it: Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (TD-420-065).

Washington doesn't publish a required list. A complete bill of sale usually has:

• The seller's and buyer's names and addresses
• Year, make, model and VIN
• Odometer reading
• Sale date and price
• An "as is" statement if there's no warranty
• Both signatures and the date

1. Find the title. If it is lost, get a replacement (4 to 8 weeks, or faster at a Quick Title office for an extra fee), or use an Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest or an Affidavit in Lieu of Title.
2. Complete a Bill of Sale (TD-420-065) with the buyer, unless the sale price and date are on the title.
3. Collect payment and sign the release of interest on the title, ideally at a vehicle licensing office. Give the buyer the title and, for model year 2011 or newer, the odometer disclosure.
4. Remove your license plates. Transfer them to the same kind of vehicle you own, or surrender or dispose of them.
5. Remove personal items, such as your registration and proof of insurance.
6. File a Report of Sale within 5 business days, online, in person or by mail. DOL lists an $18 fee for reports filed by mail or in person.
7. After the transfer is confirmed, remove the vehicle from your License Express account.

The seller signs the release of interest section on the Washington title and gives the title to the buyer (RCW 46.12.650). For model year 2011 or newer vehicles, the odometer disclosure section on the title is filled out. If the sale price and date are written on the title, a separate bill of sale is not needed. Signatures on the title do not need to be notarized.

Required. File Vehicle Report of Sale (TD-420-062) within 5 days of the sale. You can file it online. It protects you if the buyer gets tickets or tolls, or abandons the car, before retitling it.

DOL says the seller is legally obligated to remove the plates, which protects you from towing charges, parking and speed camera tickets, and toll bills. You may transfer them to another vehicle of the same kind that you own (fees apply), surrender them at a vehicle licensing office, keep them as mementos with the tabs removed, or recycle them after removing the tabs and bending them. Some special plates, such as personalized plates, must be returned to DOL. The buyer cannot use your plates and gets new ones, except in certain transfers between spouses or family members.

Inspection. None tied to the sale. Washington's vehicle emission check program ended on January 1, 2020, and DOL's selling and buying steps list no inspection.

Odometer disclosure. For model year 2011 or newer vehicles, the odometer disclosure section on the title is filled out at the sale. Model year 2010 or older vehicles are exempt. If the title is not available, a secure odometer disclosure form is available only at vehicle licensing offices, printed on tamper-proof paper.

Sales tax. The private seller does not collect tax. The buyer pays use tax when transferring the title, based on the vehicle's fair market value from Price Digests. The rate is the 0.3% motor vehicle sales and use tax plus the sales tax rate at the buyer's address. DOL may accept the purchase price if the fair market value is below $7,500 or the price is within 20% of fair market value. A lower value can be shown with a mechanic's repair estimate, a dealer appraisal, another value source, or a Declaration of Buyer and Seller Regarding Value of Used Vehicle Sold signed by both parties.

The buyer has 15 days to apply for a new title. The title fee is $15.

Forms used in the transfer:

• Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (TD-420-065)
• Vehicle Report of Sale (TD-420-062)
• Vehicle Title Application (completed by the buyer), TD-420-001

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so check with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) if anything about your sale is unusual. Last verified October 20, 2026.

Listing it first? Good photos sell cars faster: see how to take pictures of a car to sell, and read the full guide to selling a car. Buying or selling in another state? Pick it on the bill of sale page.