Signing Over A Car
RCW 46.12.650 — a report of sale within five business days
Releasing the interest. An owner releasing interest in a vehicle signs the release of interest section of the title or an approved form, gives the title to the person gaining the interest along with any required odometer disclosure, and reports the vehicle sold.
Five business days. The owner notifies the department, county auditor or other agent in writing within five business days after the vehicle is sold, given as a gift, traded, donated, turned over to an insurer or wrecking yard, or disposed of.
- The date of sale or transfer.
- The owner's full name and complete, current address.
- The full name and complete, current address of the person acquiring the vehicle.
- The vehicle identification number and license plate number.
- Receipt on or before the fifth business day, with the fee.
That is what a properly filed report includes. The department provides a way to submit reports of sale electronically.
Fees, taxes, odometer statements and the dealer rules are set out in other sections that are not on this page. Whether a particular sale left the seller liable is a question for a licensed Washington attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- RCW 46.12.650 — Release of interest, and the report of sale within five business days
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Washington attorney.