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Report of sale

How to report the sale of a vehicle

To file you’ll need:

  • The date of the sale or transfer.
  • Your name and address.
  • The name and address of the person the vehicle was sold or transferred to.
  • The vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • The vehicle license plate number.

Why you should file

As the seller, you’re responsible for filing the report of sale. If you don’t file, you may be held liable for civil or criminal liabilities incurred by the new owner.

The new owner is responsible for transferring the title. See transferring ownership into your name.

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When to file

You should file within 5 business days when you no longer own the vehicle. Examples are, if the vehicle is:

  • Sold:
    • Privately.
    • On consignment.
    • Out of state (Use the Washington plate number when reporting to Washington.)
  • Given away (gifted).
  • Traded to a private party or dealer.
  • Donated.
  • Given to a wrecking yard.
  • Turned over to an insurance company.
  • Disposed.

Remember to update your Good To Go! account

If you have a Good To Go! electronic tolling pass, be sure to update your account after you file the report of sale to show you no longer own the vehicle. You can update your account with the Department of Transportation:

Frequently asked questions

How can I get a copy of my report of sale?

You can request a copy by submitting the Vehicle/Vessel Disclosure Request form. For more information, contact our Public Disclosure office at 360-359-4002.

How do I correct an error, on my report of sale, after it’s been filed?

You’ll have to visit a vehicle licensing office to explain the error so we can delete it and file a corrected version.

What happens if I don’t file within 5 business days?

We’ll accept the report of sale after 5 business days without penalties. However, if the vehicle is involved in any criminal or civil liabilities prior to your filing, it will be up to the courts to determine if you’ll be held liable or not.

What if I filed a report of sale, but the sale, gift, or trade doesn’t happen?

If you end up keeping the vehicle after you’ve filed, visit a vehicle licensing office to get the report of sale deleted from the records.

I filed a report of sale, but you say you don’t have a record of it. What should I do?

Do you have a copy that you can resubmit? You would have gotten a copy if you filed online or in an office. You won’t get a copy if you mail it to us.

If you mailed it to us:

  • Did you mail it recently? If so, we may not have it yet. Delivery will depend on the US Postal Service. You can contact us later at any vehicle licensing office to see if we have received it.
  • Did you mail it awhile ago? Then you'll need to submit another report of sale. To make sure you get a copy you may want to submit it online or at a vehicle licensing office.
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