Washington Vehicle Bill of Sale

Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Washington?

Yes. The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) requires a Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form TD-420-065) or an equivalent document for a private-party vehicle transfer. The buyer must present the bill of sale when applying for a new title and registration at a licensing office. A properly completed bill of sale establishes the purchase price for sales tax calculation and provides both parties with a dated record of the transaction.

In addition to the buyer transferring title, the seller must file a separate Report of Sale with the DOL within 5 days of the sale. Filing promptly is critical — until the Report of Sale is submitted, the seller may be held responsible for parking tickets, camera-detected violations, and other citations involving the vehicle.

Does a Washington bill of sale need to be notarized?

No. Washington does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment for a standard private-party sale. Both the buyer and seller sign the title assignment on the back of the certificate of title, and the buyer presents the signed title and bill of sale at a licensing office to complete the transfer.

What information does a Washington vehicle bill of sale need to include?

A complete Washington vehicle bill of sale should include the full legal names and addresses of both the buyer and seller, the date of sale, the agreed purchase price, and the vehicle's year, make, model, body style, color, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The odometer reading must also be disclosed — the DOL's Form TD-420-065 includes an odometer disclosure section consistent with federal requirements (49 CFR §580.5) for vehicles less than 20 model years old. The as-is nature of the sale should also be documented.

What taxes does the buyer owe?

Washington does not have a statewide income tax, but it does impose sales tax on vehicle purchases. The state base rate is 6.5%, but local county and city taxes can bring the combined rate to 10.5% or higher depending on where the buyer lives. The tax is calculated on the purchase price and paid to the DOL licensing office at the time of title transfer. If the stated purchase price appears below fair market value, the DOL may assess tax based on the vehicle's book value.

Gift transfers between immediate family members may qualify for a sales tax exemption but require additional documentation.

What should the seller do after the sale?

The seller must file a Report of Sale with the DOL within 5 days of the sale. This can be done online at the DOL website, by mail, or in person at a licensing office. Filing the Report of Sale is the most important post-sale step for Washington sellers — it creates an official record that the vehicle changed hands and limits the seller's liability for subsequent violations.

Washington license plates transfer with the vehicle to the new owner. The seller will need new plates when registering a replacement vehicle. The buyer has 15 days from the date of sale to transfer the title; failure to do so can result in late fees.