Temporary permits: Military personnel

How to apply

You can get a temporary vehicle permit if you buy a vehicle while serving as a nonresident military personnel.

1. Visit a vehicle licensing office.
2. Submit a Non-Resident Military Affidavit for Exemption of Excise Tax.
   • Sign and notarize the form. The signatures can be notarized by a notary public or an active-duty commissioned officer. If the officer's signature, rank, and branch of service appear on the document as a notary, no further proof is needed.
3. Provide at least 1 as proof you've applied for registration outside of Washington:
   • Out-of-state application.
   • Letter of request.
   • Notarized or certified statement of fact, stating you've applied for an out-of-state title or registration.

How a temporary permit can be used

The permit allows you to use the vehicle in Washington while you apply for out-of-state registration. The permit:

• Is valid for 45 days
• and
• Must be displayed on the vehicle so it's visible from the outside.

Nonresident military personnel are:

• Active-duty members of the United States:
  • Coast Guard (includes personnel living in Washington who are on duty in the Portland),
  • Army,
  • Navy,
  • Marines, and
  • Air Force.
• Members of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA).
• Commissioned officers of the public health service.
• Members of foreign military organizations assigned to Washington on official duty.

Questions? Need help?

Call us: 360.902.3900 (TTY: Call 711)