After you acquire a vehicle, you have 15 days to transfer the title (ownership) into your name. If you don't transfer the title of a vehicle within 15 days, you'll have to pay penalties of $50 on the 16th day and $2 each day after up to $125.

Learn more about the steps you need to take to transfer the title and register a vehicle here.

Learn more about the step you need to take to transfer the title and register a boat here.

If you buy a vehicle, trailer or boat from a Washington dealership, they will work with a licensing office to transfer the title (ownership) into your name. You will need to show an unexpired Washington driver license so the dealership can complete the necessary paperwork to register the vehicle in your name, unless you qualify for one of the exemptions under state law (RCW 46.20.025).

For more information, please visit the Department of Licensing website.

When you sell or give a vehicle as a gift, file a report of sale so you're not held legally responsible for the new owner's tolling bills, towing charges or civil and criminal issues.

State law requires you to file the report of sale within 5 days of selling your vehicle. Customers reporting a sale online or at a licensing office will pay a $13.25 fee. You can report a sale online at DOL's website.

​If you purchased a new vehicle out of state, you will need the following information to license your vehicle in Washington State:

• Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO)
• Title application with notarized signatures of every registered name you would like on the title, if individuals can't be present in licensing office at the time of transfer
• Documentation of the purchase price (bill of sale or invoice) and any tax already paid
• Federal Odometer Statement
• Name and address of lien holder (if applicable)
• Valid Washington drivers license
• Washington address
• For businesses: UBI and Tax ID numbers

​If you purchased a used vehicle out of state, you will need the following information to license the vehicle in Washington State:

• Title with proper signatures of registered/legal owners releasing interest
• Title application with notarized signatures of every registered name you would like on the title, if individuals can't be present in licensing office at the time of transfer
• Bill of Sale signed by seller
• Federal Odometer Statement, if the vehicle is 20 years old or newer
• Valid Washington drivers license
• Washington address
• For businesses: UBI and Tax ID numbers

If you've recently moved to Washington state, you must title and register your vehicle within 30 days of moving.

If you've moved to Washington or purchased your boat from another state visit DOL's website to learn more about registering the vessel you just purchased or titling it in Washington from another state.

Quick Title services allow you to present required paperwork and have a vehicle or boat title issued the same day. 

The following subagents offer Quick Titles:

• Lacey Auto Licensing
• Package Express Auto Licensing
• Ralph's Thriftway
• South County Licensing

To receive Quick Title service from the Thurston County Auditor's Office, please call 360.786.5406 or email licensing@co.thurston.wa.us

With standard title service, it can take up to 6-8 weeks for you to receive a title by mail.

 

A Quick Title costs $50 in addition to the standard title fee, registration fee and taxes. In Thurston County, Quick Title services are available at the Thurston County Auditor’s Office, Lacey Auto Licensing, Package Express Auto Licensing and South County Licensing. Not all transactions qualify for a Quick Title and they are not available online.

Each Quick Title transaction is unique, and the paperwork for each transaction varies. Some of the required documents include:

• An unexpired Washington drivers license
• Bill of sale or gift letter
• Odometer disclosure (if the vehicle is 9 years old or newer)
• One of the three following documents:
  • Title signed off by registered owners and the lien holder (if applicable); or
  • Manufacturer’s statement of origin; or
  • Affidavit of Loss or Affidavit in Lieu of Title

Quick Titles are not available for:

• Snowmobiles
• Vehicles or boats reported as stolen
• Insurance or wrecker destroyed vehicles or boats
• Vehicles with a "WA rebuilt" brand on the title
• Vehicles without a current Washington record, excluding Canadian vehicles purchased by Washington residents or dealers

Dealers work with the purchaser to prepare all required paperwork to submit directly to a licensing office.

We require the following documentation if you will NOT be moving the home as part of the sale:

• Washington State Title or Affidavit in Lieu of Title with proper signatures
• Excise Tax Affidavit from the County Treasurer's Office in the county where the mobile home is located
• All purchasers must be present to transfer in a licensing office, unless they have notarized signatures on a title application
• Name and address of lien holder (if applicable)
• Mobile Home Notice Affidavit signed by seller (if the mobile home was manufactured in 1976 or before)

We require the following documentation if the home WILL MOVE as part of the sale:

• Title or Affidavit in Lieu of Title with proper signatures
• Proof of current property taxes from the County Treasurer's Office from which the home was moved
• Movement permit
• All purchasers must be present to transfer ownership in a licensing office, unless they have notarized signatures on a title application
• Name and address of lien holder (if applicable)
• Sales tax is due on the purchase price (to calculate sales tax, visit the Washington Department of Revenue's website)

For more guidance on mobile home title transfers, please see this document.

We accept cash and check only for in-office vehicle and boat title transactions.