Legal form · Vehicles · official sources
Washington vehicle bill of sale
As of October 26, 2026, Washington’s DOL publishes bill of sale form TD-420-065; the buyer applies for title within 15 days and the seller reports the sale within 5 business days.1,2
Washington DOL has the buyer sign the Vehicle Title Application in front of a licensing agent who can notarize it, or in front of a notary when it is signed before the office visit.3
A Washington buyer files the title paperwork at a vehicle licensing office, where the new title takes 6 to 8 weeks, or at a Quick Title office for an extra $50.3
Washington at a glance
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Preview of the document
Vehicle Bill of Sale
State of Washington
1. The parties
This Vehicle Bill of Sale is made on Date between Seller’s full name (the “Seller”) and Buyer’s full name (the “Buyer”).
2. The vehicle
The Seller sells and transfers to the Buyer the following motor vehicle (the “Vehicle”): year Year, make Make, model Model, vehicle identification number (VIN) VIN.
3. Purchase price or gift
4. Odometer statement
5. Condition and warranty
6. Ownership and title
7. Title, registration and taxes
8. Entire agreement
9. Signatures
Sections 3–9 unlock after purchase. Prepared with SimplePaperwork, which is not a law firm.
Washington’s rules, with sources
- State form
- The Washington State Department of Licensing publishes its own Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale, form TD-420-065, to collect the details of a vehicle or vessel sale.1
- Washington DOL tells buyer and seller to both sign a bill of sale before the buyer applies for a new title, unless the sale price and date are already written on the title.4
- Form TD-420-065 states that completing a Washington bill of sale neither transfers the title nor counts as the seller’s Report of Sale.1
- The Washington bill of sale asks whether the buyer is an immediate family member receiving the vehicle as a gift, and if so, the relationship to the seller.1
- Signing
- Washington DOL has the buyer sign the Vehicle Title Application in front of a licensing agent who can notarize it, or in front of a notary when it is signed before the office visit.3
- In a Washington private sale, the current title handed to the buyer must be signed by every owner of the vehicle.3
- RCW 46.12.650 requires a Washington owner releasing interest to sign the release section of the title or a release form approved by the Department of Licensing.2
- Deadlines
- Under RCW 46.12.650, a person who acquires a vehicle in Washington must apply for a new certificate of title within 15 days of delivery.2
- Washington’s late transfer penalty is $50 on the 16th day after delivery plus $2 for each further day, capped at $125.5
- Failing to apply for a Washington transfer of ownership within 45 days after delivery of the vehicle is a misdemeanor.2
- A Washington owner must notify the Department of Licensing, a county auditor or a subagent in writing within five business days after selling, trading, donating or giving away a vehicle.2
- Washington’s bill of sale form tells the seller to take the license plate off the vehicle at the time of sale.1
- Where it is filed
- A Washington buyer files the title paperwork at a vehicle licensing office, where the new title takes 6 to 8 weeks, or at a Quick Title office for an extra $50.3
- A Washington Report of Sale can be filed online, in person or by mail; by mail it goes with an $18 check payable to the Department of Licensing.4
- Every Washington vehicle title transaction includes a WACIC/NCIC stolen vehicle search, and no title is issued while a confirmed theft report is unresolved.6
- Taxes and fees
- Washington use tax on a privately bought vehicle is charged at the retail sales tax rate and is usually paid to the Department of Licensing when the title is transferred.7
- The Washington Department of Revenue accepts the purchase price as the vehicle’s value when it is no more than 20% below fair market value, or when fair market value is under $7,500.7
- The sale price written on the Washington bill of sale is used to calculate use tax, and a gift or inheritance is entered as zero.3
- A Washington trip permit, needed to drive an unplated vehicle home from a private sale, costs $36, lasts 3 days and is sold only in person.3
- Law
- RCW 46.12.650 says a Washington report of sale alone does not prove a completed transfer when towing and storage costs of an abandoned vehicle are collected; a signed contract, title or receipt can.2
Questions about a Washington bill of sale
Does Washington have an official bill of sale form?
Yes. The Department of Licensing publishes the Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale, TD-420-065. It records the plate, VIN, model year, make, model, date and price, the names and addresses of both parties, and whether the buyer is an immediate family member receiving the vehicle as a gift.
DOL wants it signed by both sides before the buyer applies for the new title, unless the price and date already appear on the title. The form itself says it is not a title transfer and not a Report of Sale.1,4
Who signs what in a Washington vehicle sale?
The bill of sale carries buyer and seller signature lines. The title is signed by every owner listed on it, which releases their interest.
The notarized document is the buyer’s Vehicle Title Application: DOL says to sign it in front of a licensing agent at the office, or in front of a notary if it is signed earlier.1–3
How fast must a Washington seller report the sale?
RCW 46.12.650 counts five business days from the sale, gift, trade or donation. The report names both parties, the VIN and plate, and the date, and it can go in online, at a licensing office or by mail with the $18 fee.
DOL also tells sellers to take the plates off at the time of sale; they can move to another vehicle of the same kind or be turned in.1,2,4
How long does a Washington buyer have to transfer the title?
Fifteen days from delivery. On day 16 a $50 penalty applies, growing by $2 a day up to $125, and after 45 days the failure to apply becomes a misdemeanor.
The statute waives the penalty in listed cases, such as the department asking for more documents or the buyer not knowing the seller had filed a report of sale and signing an affidavit to that effect.2,5
What does a Washington buyer pay at title transfer?
Use tax at the retail sales tax rate, collected by the Department of Licensing when the title moves. It is based on the price on the bill of sale when that price is within 20% of fair market value, or when the vehicle is worth under $7,500.
Gifts and inheritances go on the bill of sale with a price of zero. A Quick Title costs $50 more than the regular 6-to-8-week title.3,7
What to have at hand
- Vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, model and plate
- Odometer reading on the day of sale
- Sale price, or the value if it is a gift
- Full legal names and addresses of seller and buyer
It does not replace the title. Ownership moves when the signed title and the state’s title application reach the motor vehicle agency.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bill of sale required to transfer a car title in Washington?
The Department of Licensing lists the Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale among the documents for the new title and asks both parties to sign one, unless the sale price and date are written on the title itself.3,4
Does the Washington Report of Sale replace the bill of sale?
No. They are separate papers. The seller files the Report of Sale with the Department of Licensing for protection from the new owner’s towing charges and liabilities; the bill of sale records the deal, each party keeps a copy, and it goes with the buyer’s title paperwork.1,3,4
Where this information comes from
Washington’s rules above come from the state’s own statutes, agency pages and forms, read on the date shown. A rule that passes its review date without a new check is removed automatically.
- Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (TD-420-065, R/4/24) Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- RCW 46.12.650, Releasing interest, reports of sale and transfer of ownership Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- Buy and register a vehicle (Washington State Department of Licensing) Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- Sell a vehicle (Washington State Department of Licensing) Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- RCW 46.17.140, Late transfer of title penalty Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- WAC 308-56A-024, Stolen vehicle check required for certificate of ownership Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
- Use Tax Facts for Vehicle Transactions (Washington Department of Revenue, REV 32 2511) Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
Something changed? Tell us what is out of date and we will check the official page again.