Fee refunds: Vehicles and boats

Additional documentation is required in the following situations:

If you renewed your vehicle/vessel registration early and you sold or traded it before the next registration started, bring or send us the following before the registration starts:

• Tabs were not placed on the license plate or
• Decals were not placed on the vessel,
• and
• Proof of sale documentation showing the VIN/HIN, such as:
  • Vehicle/vessel Report of Sale
  • and
  • Bill of sale or Invoice showing trade-in to dealer.

If you renewed your vehicle/vessel registration in error after you sold or traded it, bring or send us the following:
Proof of sale documentation showing the VIN/HIN, such as:

• Vehicle/vessel Report of Sale
• and
• Bill of sale or invoice showing trade-in to dealer.

If the vehicle/vessel was destroyed or totaled before the new registration started, bring us proof that shows the VIN/HIN, and date of loss. Such as:

• Insurance report,
• Wrecker bill of sale,
• "Current original" Certificate of Ownership (title) — write "destroyed" across the page and include the date of destruction.

If the vehicle/vessel was registered in WA and is now registered in another state by you, bring us a copy of the current out-of-state registration in your name.

If the vehicle/vessel was removed from WA before the start of the new registration, bring us documentation proving it was permanently removed from Washington. Proof can be any of the following items:

• Copy of registration from another state,
• Report of sale,
• Bill of sale,
• or
• Dealer invoice showing trade-in, including VIN/HIN.

If the vehicle/vessel was registered in WA twice by the same owner for the same registration period, bring us:

• The duplicated registration and tabs/decal
• If new plates were issued, return the plates

If you're 100% Disabled American Veterans, Former Prisoners of War and Gold Star Widow/Widowers are exempt from licensing fees.
After you've been approved by our Special Plates Unit, you can request a refund for your vehicle registration fees. Call us for instructions: 360.902.3780.

Non-resident military are exempt from RTA/Sound Transit excise tax
Complete the Non-Resident Military Affidavit for Exemption of Excise Tax form.

Enrolled tribal members are exempt from RTA/Sound Transit excise tax
Complete and Tribal certified Vehicle/Vessel Excise Tax Exemption Affidavit for Enrolled Tribal Member

To verify if your primary address is outside the RTA/Sound Transit boundary visit the Sound Transit website.