The Washington vehicle bill of sale is a legal document that outlines the most important details regarding the sale and purchase of a vehicle in Washington.
In practice, this document is most commonly used in the process of vehicle titling and registration. However, even if the bill of sale is not required by some registration authorities, parties still choose to make one so they can provide all the details of their deal and prevent any disputes in the future.
The Washington vehicle bill of sale is also referred to as:
Other Names for Washington Vehicle Bill of Sale
Washington car bill of sale
Motor vehicle bill of sale
DMV bill of sale
Vehicle bill of sale document
Car contract
Other Types of Washington Vehicle Bill of Sale
This section provides other types of vehicle bills of sale commonly used in Washington.
Washington Boat Bill of Sale Requirements & Forms
The Washington boat bill of sale is a document that doesn’t transfer the title to the buyer but rather serves as a record of all the details connected to the sale and purchase of the boat in Washington. After completing the boat bill of sale form, both the seller and buyer must sign it so the document can be considered valid.
Besides completing the boat bill of sale, the seller must also complete the Vessel Report of Sale to release their liability after the transaction. They must do so no later than 5 business days after the sale.
Washington Motorcycle Bill of Sale Requirements & Forms
The Washington motorcycle bill of sale is also required for motorcycle titling and registration in Washington. No later than 15 days after the motorcycle purchase, the new owner must submit the bill of sale and previous certificate of title and apply for a new one.
If the previous owner doesn’t have the certificate of title for the motorcycle, they can sign the Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest (Form TD-420-040) and explain the reasons why the certificate of title is unavailable.
Washington Trailer Bill of Sale Requirements & Forms
All trailers in Washington must be titled and registered, including travel and tent trailers. The only exception to this rule is for trailers below 2000 pounds that don’t have to be titled.
The Washington trailer bill of sale is one of the required documents for trailer titling and registration since it provides the necessary information about the buyer and seller, trailer, and purchase price.
Legal Requirements for Washington Vehicle Bill of Sale
This section outlines the most important legal requirements for the Washington vehicle bill of sale form.
Legal Requirements
Is the printable vehicle bill of sale required for the sale or purchase of the vehicle? Yes, the printable vehicle bill of sale is required for the sale or purchase of the vehicle in Washington.
Does the state offer a vehicle bill of sale template? Yes, Washington provides a bill of sale template that the parties can use when transferring ownership.
Is notarization required? No, notarization is not required for the Washington vehicle bill of sale document.
Where and How to Register Your Vehicle in Washington
The main authority for vehicle registration in Washington is the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL). When registering your vehicle for the first time, you must apply at the local DOL office, while the registration renewal can be completed online.
Required Documents
When applying for vehicle registration in Washington, you should submit the following:
Vehicle Registration Mandatory Documents
Bill of sale
Odometer disclosure statement obtained through a licensing office (only for vehicles less than 10 years old)
Proof of registration fee payment
Washington Vehicle Bill of Sale FAQ
To draft the bill of sale for a car in Washington, you should enter the following information:
Full names and mailing addresses of the seller and buyer
Vehicle description (vehicle’s make, model, year of production, vehicle identification number, color, and odometer reading)
Purchase price and method of payment
Date of sale and signatures of the seller and buyer
Yes, you need a bill of sale to register a car in Washington. The new vehicle owner must submit the signed vehicle bill of sale to the Washington Department of Licensing to title and register the vehicle.
You cannot register a car with a bill of sale and no title in Washington. Although the bill of sale provides all the details about the vehicle ownership transfer, a certificate of title is considered the only official proof of ownership that can be used for vehicle registration purposes in Washington.
You don’t need to notarize a bill of sale for a car in Washington.