Fillable Form TD-20-001: Washington Vehicle Registration

What is the Washington Vehicle Registration Form?

Form TD-20-001, or the Washington Vehicle Title Application, is vital for vehicle registration with the Washington State Department. This official document secures license plates, ensuring compliance with state regulations and promoting a safer transportation system in Washington.

Vehicle Registration Process in Washington State

Residents must register their vehicles with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) to legally operate them on state roads. Titling and registration are part of the same simultaneous process.

New Residents of Washington

If you've recently moved to Washington, you have a 30-day window to register your vehicle. You can accomplish this by either mailing the required documents or visiting a local licensing office in person.

Registering by Mail

To register your vehicle by mail, follow these steps:

1. Complete, sign, and notarize a Vehicle Certificate of Ownership Application.

2. Provide the out-of-state vehicle title. If a lienholder holds the title, obtain a copy of both the front and back from them for your application.

3. Include an odometer disclosure statement for vehicles up to 10 years old, obtainable by visiting a licensing office, emailing a request to [email protected], or calling (360) 902-3900. Note that this statement is on special paper and cannot be downloaded, faxed, or emailed.

4. If you've owned the vehicle for less than 90 days, provide a bill of sale or dealer purchase agreement.

5. Settle all applicable registration fees.

6. Send the above documents to your local licensing office or to the address below:

Refunds and Title Services

Department of Licensing

PO Box 9043

Olympia, WA 98507

Expect to receive both your title and registration within 10 weeks. If you're registering a motor home, RV, or trailer, be prepared to show proof of sales tax payment.

If you need to remove any of the listed owners from the title, contact your local licensing office for guidance.

Registering in Person

There are two options for in-person registration:

1. Visit a vehicle licensing office to apply. You'll receive your title by mail within 10 weeks, while you'll receive your registration immediately.

2. Visit a Quick Title office to get both your registration and title instantly by paying an additional $50 fee.

For in-person registration:

1. Complete a signed Vehicle Certificate of Ownership Application with all owners' signatures.

2. Submit the out-of-state vehicle title, or request a copy if held by a lienholder.

3. Include the odometer disclosure statement for vehicles up to 10 years old.

4. If owned for less than 90 days, provide a bill of sale or dealer purchase agreement.

5. Pay all registration fees.

Washington State Car Insurance

Though not required during registration, auto insurance is mandatory in Washington. Failure to show proof when pulled over can lead to fines.

How to Register a Car in Washington State

Registering a car in Washington involves different processes based on whether it's from a dealership or a private seller. Washington residents must complete registration within 15 days of acquiring the vehicle to avoid penalties, starting at $50 on the 16th day, escalating to a maximum of $125.

Buying a Vehicle from a Dealership

If bought from a dealership in Washington, they will handle all the paperwork, and you'll receive your documents and plates by mail.

Buying or Obtaining a Vehicle from a Private Party

For purchases from a private individual, choose in person or by mail. Ensure the previous owner licenses removal and either transfers or surrenders them during transfer ownership.

Note: Gifted vehicles may qualify for a state use tax exemption.

In-Person

Visit your local licensing office or a Quick Title office and submit the following:

1. Vehicle Certificate of Ownership Application (Form TD-420-001).

2. Signed vehicle title by both seller and buyer(s). If the title is unavailable, the seller completes an Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest (Form TD-420-040), signed in the presence of a notary, county auditor, or licensing agent.

3. Both seller and buyer fill out Form TD-420-065.

4. Include odometer disclosure statement for vehicles up to 10 years old.

5. Pay all necessary fees.

Washington residents at a licensing office get instant registration and plates, with the title mailed in 10 weeks. Quick Title office visits offer immediate registration and title for a $50 fee.

By Mail

If you choose to apply by mail, ensure that all signatures on the documents are notarized. Send the documents to the following address:

Refunds and Title Services

Department of Licensing

PO Box 9043

Olympia, WA 98507

Your original title and registration will be mailed to you within 10 weeks, and the new plates may take up to 3 weeks to arrive.

Registration Fees

The fees in Washington are determined based on vehicle weight, type, plates, and home address. Additionally, residents are responsible for a use tax if sales tax has not been paid.

- Service fee for title: $15

- Service fee for registration: $8

- Local transportation benefit district fees (varies by county, if required)

- Regional transit authority excise tax (if applicable)

- King County congestion reduction charge: $20

- License plate fee: $20

- Inspection fees: WA State Patrol inspection for salvaged, rebuilt, or homemade vehicles ($65, with potential additional fees for VIN assignment)

Use Tax

Residents must pay use tax upon registration if they haven't paid sales tax on their vehicle, especially when buying or transferring from a private individual. There is a payment of use tax for Washington residents when bringing a vehicle into the state from an area without sales or use tax.

How to fill out the Washington Vehicle Registration Form?

If more space is needed for registered owner, legal owner, or lienholder details, attach an extra sheet to ensure accurate recording of necessary information for required documents.

Vehicle

Provide your vehicle details, including make, model, year, and any relevant information for precise and personalized assistance.

Vehicle identification no (VIN)

Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Condition

Mark New if your vehicle is new; otherwise, mark Used.

Vehicle Type

Enter the type of your vehicle.

Primary use type

Enter your vehicle's primary use.

Fuel type

Enter your vehicle's fuel type.

Model year

Enter your vehicle's model year.

Your vehicle's model year is the tenth digit of your VIN.

Make

Enter your vehicle's make or brand.

Model

Enter your vehicle's model or name.

Trim

Enter your vehicle's trim level or configuration package.

Body style

Enter your vehicle's body style or shape and model.

Motorcycle style

If your vehicle is a motorcycle, enter its style.

GV Weight Rating

Enter your vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

GVWR is the maximum total safe weight of your vehicle. If your vehicle is four-wheeled, you may find it on the door pillar of the driver's side.

Scale wt

Enter your vehicle's scale weight.

Gross weight

Enter your vehicle's gross weight or actual weight.

Mo GWT

Enter the monthly gross weight (GWT).

Seats

Enter the number of seats in your vehicle.

Color #1

Enter your vehicle's color number one.

Color number one refers to the predominant or the major color of your vehicle.

Color #2

If your vehicle has two colors, enter color number two.

Color number two refers to the secondary or minor color of your vehicle.

Equip no

Enter your vehicle's equipment or unit number.

Purchase price

Enter the purchase value of your vehicle.

Wheels

Enter the number of wheels of your vehicle.

Rental no

If you rented the vehicle, enter the rental number.

Fleet

Enter the vehicle fleet or the rental owner.

Engine (MC)

Enter your vehicle's engine type.

Motor home/Cycle/WATV eng serial no

Enter your vehicle's engine serial number.

Length

Enter your vehicle's length.

Width

Enter your vehicle's width.

Quick title

Mark Yes if you have a Quick Title of your vehicle; otherwise, mark No.

A Quick Title is a certificate of possession of your vehicle.

Discover pass

Mark Yes if you have a discover pass; otherwise, mark No.

Discover pass is a motor vehicle permit to access state recreation lands.

Park donation

Mark Yes if you want to donate money to State Parks; otherwise, mark No.

House Bill 2339 established a donation program tied to vehicle license renewals to keep parks open amidst budget reductions.

Registered owner

Enter your information.

Section 1

Owner type

Please specify the owner type of the vehicle. If you are the owner or lessee of the vehicle and use it for personal purposes, please enter "Individual". If a company owns or rents the vehicle, please enter "Company".

ID type

Enter your identification type.

Driver license/ID/TIN/EIN/UBI no

Enter either your driver's license number, identification number, Tax Identification Number (TIN), Employer Identification Number (EIN), or Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number.

Expiration date

Enter the expiration date of your provided identification.

Phone type

Enter your phone type.

(Area code) Phone no

Enter your phone number.

Registered owner name (Last, First, Middle, Suffix) or Business name

Enter your complete name. If the registered owner of the vehicle is a company, enter the business name.

Washington primary residence address (if a private individual) or Washington principal place of business address (if a business)

Enter your Washington primary residence address. If the registered owner of the vehicle is a company, enter its principal place of business in Washington.

Mailing address, if different than residence address (Street address or PO Box, City, State, ZIP code) or exception address

Enter your complete mailing address, if different from the residence address above.

One-time mailing address, if applicable

Enter your one-time or temporary mailing address, if applicable.

Paperless renewal option

Mark the box if you opt for a paperless renewal. You will be notified through your email if it is time to renew your vehicle.

Email address

Enter your email address.

Section 2

Enter information about the second registered vehicle owner, if applicable.

Owner type

Enter the second registered vehicle's owner type.

Joint tenants w/right of survivorship

Mark Yes if you and the second registered owner are joint tenants with the right of survivorship; otherwise, mark No.

ID type

Enter the second registered vehicle owner's ID type.

Driver license/ID/TIN/EIN/UBI/ no

Enter either the driver's license number, identification number, Tax Identification Number (TIN), Employer Identification Number (EIN), or Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number of the second registered owner.

Expiration date

Enter the expiration date of the second registered owner's provided identification.

Registered owner name (Last, First, Middle, Suffix) or Business name

Enter the second registered vehicle owner's name. If the second registered owner is a company, enter the business name.

Phone type

Enter the second registered owner's phone type.

(Area code) Phone no

Enter the second registered owner's phone number.

Legal owner/Lienholder

Complete this part if different from the registered owner or owners.

Name of legal owner /lienholder

Enter the name of the vehicle’s legal owner or lienholder.

Legal owner/Lienholder type

Enter the vehicle's legal owner or lienholder type.

ID type

Enter the legal owner or lienholder's ID type.

Driver license/ID/TIN/EIN/UBI no

Enter either the driver's license number, identification number, Tax Identification Number (TIN), Employer Identification Number (EIN), or Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number of the legal owner or lienholder.

Expiration date

Enter the expiration date of the legal owner or lienholder's provided identification.

ELT participant

Mark Yes if the legal owner or lienholder is an Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) participant; otherwise, mark No.

ELT is a system that enables the capability to electronically exchange lien and title information between a lienholder and a jurisdiction's motor vehicle agency. It is also an electronic title.

Mailing address

Enter the legal owner or lienholder's mailing address.

Dealer

Enter information about your vehicle's dealer.

Dealer type

Enter the dealer type.

If the dealer is an individual, enter Individual.

If the dealer is a company, enter Company.

Dealer no

Enter the dealer number.

Dealer name

Enter the dealer's name.

Sale date

Enter the sale date of the vehicle.

Delivery date

Enter the delivery date of the vehicle.

Vehicle status

Mark New for new vehicles sold.

Mark Used if the vehicle was sold used.

Mark Prev titled if the vehicle was previously titled when sold.

Dealer authorized signature

Enter the dealer's signature.

Signature of registered owner

Enter your signature.

Title, if signing for business

Enter title or business name if signing for a company.

Date and place signed

Enter when and where the Vehicle Registration Form was signed.

Notarization/Certification

If you signed the Washington Vehicle Registration Form before a vehicle licensing agent, do not complete this section.

This section must be completed by a notary agent.

State of

Enter the state where your notary public operates.

County of

Enter the county where your notary public operates.

Signed or attested before me on

Enter the date when you attested the registered vehicle owner signing the Washington Vehicle Registration Form.

Name of individual signing this document

Enter your name.

Notary/Agent/Subagent signature

Enter your signature.

Notary printed or stamped name

Enter notary name.

Title

Enter the title of your notary public.

Dealer or county/office number or notary expiration date

Enter the vehicle dealer's country or office number or your notary service's expiration date.

FAQs

1. What is the process for registering a vehicle in Washington when moving to the state as a new resident?

- New residents of Washington have 30 days to register and title their vehicles when they move to the state. They can complete the registration process by mailing it or by visiting their local licensing office.

2. How can I register my vehicle by mail in Washington?

- To register a vehicle by mail in Washington, you need to submit specific documents, including a completed, signed, and notarized Vehicle Certificate of Ownership Application, the out-of-state vehicle title, an odometer disclosure statement, a bill of sale, and payment for all registration fees.

3. Is car insurance mandatory in Washington, and do I need to show proof of insurance when registering my vehicle?

- Although not needed during registration, Washington residents must have auto insurance, as it is mandatory. Failure to possess insurance when stopped by the police may lead to fines.

4. What is the penalty for not registering a vehicle within 15 days of taking possession in Washington?

- Residents who do not title and record their vehicles within 15 days will be charged $50 on the 16th day, and they will accrue an additional $2 in penalties every day after, with a maximum penalty totaling $125.

5. How does the registration process differ for vehicles purchased from a dealership and those obtained from a private individual in Washington?

- Vehicles purchased from a dealership typically have the paperwork handled by the dealership, with documents and plate/s mailed to the buyer. Vehicles obtained from a private individual can be titled and registered either in person or by mailing it, with specific requirements outlined for each method. Buyers may also be eligible for a use tax exemption if the vehicle was gifted to them.

Here are 10 frequently asked questions (FAQs) based on the provided information about vehicle registration, motorcycle registration, and boat registration in Washington:

6. What is the use tax in Washington, and how is it calculated for vehicle registration?

- The use tax is charged at the same rate as sales tax for the resident's area, plus an additional 0.3% motor vehicle sales/use tax.

7. Under what circumstances are Washington residents exempt from paying use tax when registering a vehicle?

- No use tax is needed for residents if the vehicle was gifted to them and the previous owner paid sales tax, or if the previous owner had the vehicle for at least 7 years and is from a state that charges sales tax.

8. Are there exemptions for military personnel regarding vehicle registration in Washington?

- Yes, residents who are on military active duty may have specific exemptions when registering their vehicles.

9. What should I do if I lose my vehicle registration in Washington to protect against identity theft?

- If you lose your registration, you can report it to the police to safeguard yourself against identity theft.

10. How can I apply for a duplicate vehicle registration in Washington, and what are the available methods?

- You can apply for a duplicate registration at your local driver licensing office or by mailing it. Each method requires specific steps outlined in the provided information.

11. What is the time frame for new residents of Washington to register their motorcycles, and what documents are required for registration?

- New residents have 30 days to register their motorcycles, and the necessary documents include a completed Vehicle Certificate of Ownership Title Application, an odometer disclosure statement, the current out-of-state title, and a bill of sale, among other requirements.

12. Is motorcycle insurance mandatory for registration in Washington, and why should residents consider it?

- Motorcycle insurance is not mandatory for registration in Washington, but it is advisable to protect yourself when operating your motorcycle, especially if you travel outside the state.

13. What are the differences in the registration process for motorcycles purchased from a dealership and those obtained from a private party in Washington?

- The process varies depending on the source of the motorcycle, with separate requirements for dealership purchases and private individual purchases.

14. How long does it typically take for residents to receive their motorcycle license plates and registration after submitting their application in Washington?

- Once the registration application is accepted, residents should receive their plates and registration in about 3 weeks.

15. What are the boat title and registration requirements for Washington residents, and how is the process different for various types of vessels?

- State residents are required to title and register their boats within specific time frames based on factors like the vessel's origin. The requirements and processes for motorized and sail-powered vessels are detailed in the provided information.