Washington Vehicle Bill of Sale (DOL Form 420-065): Free Template and Title Transfer Rules

Vehicle Bill of Sale (Washington)

This Vehicle Bill of Sale (“Agreement”) is made on [Date] in the State of Washington by and between:

Seller (Current Owner):
[Full Legal Name(s) of all registered owners]
[Mailing Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
Co-Seller (if any): [Full Legal Name], [Mailing Address]

Buyer (New Owner):
[Full Legal Name(s)]
[Mailing Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
Co-Buyer (if any): [Full Legal Name], [Mailing Address]

Washington’s own Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (DOL form 420-065) records the seller names, seller address, buyer names and buyer address, with signatures of both sides. Keep the same details here so this document matches the state form line for line.

Price, Method, and Receipt

The Parties fix the sale payment amount at $[Amount] (enter $0 if the Vehicle is a gift or inheritance). Payment method: [Cash / Cashier’s check / Bank transfer / Financing]. Date of payment: [Date of Payment]. Seller acknowledges receipt in full, inclusive of any prior deposit of $[Deposit or “None”]. DOL uses this price when calculating use tax, but may tax the Vehicle’s fair market value instead where the price is well below that value; if so, the Parties will sign the Department of Revenue’s Declaration of Buyer and Seller Regarding Value of Used Vehicle Sold, stating the price and the condition of the Vehicle.

Delivery / Transfer Timing

Delivery occurs at [Location] on [Delivery Date/Time]. From delivery forward, Buyer bears risk of loss and responsibility for operation. Seller removes the license plates at the time of sale. Buyer obtains new plates when registering, and until then drives the Vehicle only on a trip permit (valid 3 days) or directly from a vehicle licensing office.

Vehicle Identification Details

Vehicle Identification:
Sale of: ☐ Vehicle
License plate / registration number: [Plate]
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): [VIN]
Model Year: [Year]
Make: [Make]
Model: [Model]
Title brand, if any: [None / Salvage / Rebuilt / other, as shown on the title]
Legal owner (lienholder), if any: [Name, or “None”]

Odometer Statement

At the time of transfer the odometer shows [Mileage] miles (no tenths). Indicate one:
☐ Actual mileage ☐ Not the actual mileage, WARNING – ODOMETER DISCREPANCY ☐ Mileage in excess of the odometer mechanical limits ☐ Exempt (model year 2010 or older)

For a vehicle of model year 2011 or newer, the seller completes the odometer disclosure on the Washington title; without the title, DOL provides the disclosure form on tamper-proof paper at a licensing office. Providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment.

Title, Liens, and Payoff

Seller warrants title and states the Vehicle is free of liens except: [Legal owner name and address, or “None”]. Every owner shown on the title signs the release of interest. Any legal owner releases its interest on the title or on a DOL release of interest form; Seller delivers that release, the title and the registration certificate to Buyer. Any listed lien will be released upon payoff and the release evidence delivered within [X] business days after funds clear.

Taxes, Registration, and Fees

Buyer will apply for a new certificate of title at a vehicle licensing office within 15 calendar days of delivery (RCW 46.12.650), signing the Vehicle Title Application before the licensing agent or a notary, and will pay use tax (the motor vehicle sales/use tax plus the local sales tax rate at Buyer’s address) and all other applicable title, registration and license plate fees and taxes, including the cost of new license plates. An application after 15 days incurs the late transfer penalty (RCW 46.17.140); failing to apply within 45 days is a misdemeanor. A Quick Title office issues the title the same day for an additional fee.

Condition and Inspection Acknowledgment

Buyer confirms a chance to inspect and test-drive the Vehicle and accepts it AS-IS, with all faults, unless a written warranty is attached. Promised items after closing: [List or “None”]. Washington ended emission checks on 1 January 2020 and has no periodic safety inspection; Buyer has had the opportunity to check the VIN for open recalls with NHTSA and to confirm with DOL (360-902-3770) that the title is valid and clear of liens.

Optional Notary Acknowledgment

Washington does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized; the buyer’s title application is signed before a licensing agent or a notary. The Parties may nonetheless have this Agreement acknowledged:
State of Washington, County of [County]. Signed or attested before me on [Date] by [Names].
Notary Public Signature: ____________________ My appointment expires: [Date]

Governing Law / Venue

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Washington. Venue lies in [County] County, Washington.

Entire Agreement; Changes

This Agreement supersedes all prior communications. Revisions must be signed by both Parties. This bill of sale does not transfer the title or act as a Report of Sale; both steps are separate.

Washington Filing Checklist

Reference information for the parties. It is not part of this agreement and does not bind either party.

Which document transfers ownership. The Washington certificate of title, with the release of interest signed by every owner, plus the buyer’s Vehicle Title Application filed within 15 days (RCW 46.12.650). The bill of sale is required as well unless the sale price and date appear on the title: DOL needs the price to calculate use tax.

Meet at a licensing office. DOL recommends that buyer and seller meet at a vehicle licensing office to exchange payment and sign over the title; the licensing agent can also notarize the buyer’s title application on the spot.

Seller, at and after the sale:

• Sign the release of interest on the title (all owners), complete the odometer disclosure for model year 2011 and newer, and sign this bill of sale

• Give the buyer the title, the registration certificate, any lienholder’s release, and this bill of sale

• Remove the license plates; transfer them only to another vehicle of the same kind, or dispose of them

• File a Report of Sale within 5 days, online, in person or by mail ($18 by mail)

Buyer, within 15 days, at a vehicle licensing office. Bring:

• The signed title and registration certificate

• This bill of sale (or DOL form 420-065)

• The Vehicle Title Application, unsigned until you are in front of the licensing agent, or notarized

• The Declaration of Buyer and Seller Regarding Value of Used Vehicle Sold, if the price is well below fair market value

• Payment: use tax, title and registration fees, new plates; $50 plus $2 a day up to $125 after 15 days; $50 extra for a same-day title at a Quick Title office

Driving before registration. Without plates, the buyer drives only on a trip permit ($36, valid 3 days) or directly from a vehicle licensing office.

Seller’s protection. RCW 46.12.655 relieves the seller of civil and criminal liability for the buyer’s operation of the vehicle once the seller has released interest, handed over the title and registration, and filed a proper Report of Sale. From the date of sale the buyer carries liability for traffic violations, tolls and camera tickets tied to the vehicle.

Use tax. Calculated on fair market value from Price Digests; the purchase price is accepted when the value is under $7,500 or the price is within 20% of it. Rate: 0.5% motor vehicle sales/use tax (since 1 January 2026; it was 0.3%) plus the local sales tax rate at the buyer’s address. A gift is taxed if it comes from a state without sales tax or money, goods or services changed hands; it is not taxed if the giver paid sales or use tax on it, or owned it 7 years or more in a state with sales tax.

Sources: RCW 46.12.650 (release of interest, report of sale within five business days, 15 days to transfer, 45-day misdemeanor), 46.12.655 (release of liability), 46.17.140 (late transfer penalty); Washington DOL, “Sell a vehicle”, “Buy and register a vehicle”, “Use tax”, forms 420-065 (Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale, rev. 4/24) and 420-062 (Vehicle Report of Sale); Washington Department of Revenue, “Motor vehicle sales/use tax”, Declaration of Buyer and Seller Regarding Value of Used Vehicle Sold; Department of Ecology, “Emission checks ended”. Verified 28 September 2026.

Signatures

Seller’s Signature: _______________________ Date: __________
Printed Name: _____________________________

Co-Seller’s Signature (all registered owners): _______________________ Date: __________
Printed Name: _____________________________

Buyer’s Signature: ________________________ Date: __________
Printed Name: _____________________________

Co-Buyer’s Signature (if any): ________________________ Date: __________
Printed Name: _____________________________