A Washington vehicle/boat bill of sale is documentation of the legal change of proprietorship of an automobile or vessel in Washington. The bill of sale will outline details of the purchaser and vendor, as well as the vessel or car being traded and the conditions of the sale. This form is required for registration and may be relevant for tax purposes.
Washington state has specific regulations and requirements to safeguard Sellers and the buyer during the transaction. Whether you’re selling a sedan, an SUV, a truck, a boat or any other vehicle type, this guide will provide you with valuable insights and steps to make your selling experience a successful one.
This guide assumes that you have already found an interested buyer for your vehicle.
Required Documents:
- Bill of Sale
- Title of Ownership
- Report of Sale (optional but recommended)
Step 1: Fill Bill Of Sale Document
Typically filled by the seller, the Bill of Sale is a legal document that serves as a proof of sale and transfer of ownership of a vehicle from one party to another. A Bill of Sale includes:
- Vehicle / Vessell information, Date of Sale and Sale Price
- Seller Information (Name, Address)
- Buyer Information (Name, Address)
- Buyer and Seller's signatures
You can use
ThinPaper to easily create a bill of sale document in minutes.
Step 2: Title Of Ownership Document
Vehicle ownership title is required to sell a vehicle in the state of Washington.
If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, the lender effectively owns the vehicle and has possession of the title and the transaction likely will involve the loan officer. Contact your lender to find out the process of selling your vehicle.
If the vehicle is fully paid off, seller should have the Title of Ownership document. If the title is lost or misplaced, a replacement can be obtained through the Department of Licensing.
Buyer and Seller must sign the Title of Ownership document and you are ready for the next step in transferring the possision of the vehicle and payment exchange.
Step 3: Transferring Possesion of The vehicle to the seller
Once the payment formalities are completed, the buyer receives the possession of the vehicle, Bill of Sale document signed by both buyer and the seller and the Title of Ownership document. Each party should also keep a copy of the bill of sales for your own record.
To safeguard the seller, we recommend Seller take the license plate off the vehicle prior to transferring the possession of the vehicle. Leaving them on the vehicle could make the seller responsible for infractions committed by the new owner.
It's the buyer's responsibility to report the purchase of the vehicle to DMV within 15 days of acquiring the vehicle or you will pay a late fee. Late transfer fees start at $50 and increase to a maximum of $125.
Step 4: Filling documents with DMV
- Buyer:
- Report the purchase of the vehicle to DMV within 15 days of acquiring the vehicle and apply for for a new title.
- Failure to report within 15 days of aquiring he vehicle will result in late fee. Late transfer fees start at $50 and increase to a maximum of $125.
- Seller:
- Optional but recommended - Seller can submit a completed Report of Sale within 5 days from the date of sale. The Report of Sale releases your liability from the vehicle or vessel in case buyer fails to report the transaction to DMV. Report of Sale can be filled at a DMV office, online or mail a copy to any licensing office in the state of Washington.
Step 5: Remove Vehicle From GoodToGo And Insurance
Finally, the seller should remove the vehicle from any tolling or electronic toll collection services like
GoodToGo and cancel insurance coverage for the sold vehicle. This ensures that the seller is not held accountable for any tolls or incidents related to the vehicle after the transfer of ownership.
Conclusion
By following the steps outlined in this guide and fulfilling any additional requirements specific to your local laws, you can confidently sell your vehicle and avoid potential legal issues down the road. Always be sure to consult with local authorities or legal professionals if you have any questions or uncertainties throughout the process. Happy selling!
