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Washington title transfer fees
How much is the title fee in Washington?
$15
In plain English
The Department of Licensing's fee page lists the application for a certificate of title at $15. The same page lists a service fee of $18 for title transactions or $29 for title with registration, and a filing fee of $6.50 for the title only or $12.50 for title with registration.
“Title - Application for a certificate of title $15”
The official words for the rest
“Service fees $11 for registration $18 for title transactions $29 for title with registration”
“Filing fee $6 for registration $6.50 for the title only $12.50 for title with registration”
Worked example
Example: a $12,000 used car bought from a private seller in Washington. Title fee: $15. Tax is left out of this example. Not included: registration and plates, a lien fee, an out-of-state inspection, county or office add-ons, and late fees.
A made-up price; every other figure is from the quotes on this page. It is an illustration, not a bill.
What other fees come with it?
- Out-of-state inspection$50not added
“Out-of-state service fee (used to check if the vehicle coming to WA is stolen) $50”
- Out-of-state inspection$25not added
“Beginning July 1, 2026, before accepting an application for a certificate of title for a vehicle previously registered in any other state or country, the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director shall require the applicant to pay, in addition to the fee specified in subsection (1) of this section, a fee of $25”
What are the steps in Washington, and by when?
In plain English
After buying a vehicle or receiving one as a gift, the new owner has 15 days to transfer the ownership into their name.
The official words
“After you buy or receive a vehicle as a gift, you have 15 days to transfer the ownership into your name.”
Tab renewal fees vary depending on the vehicle, plate, and location.
The official words
“Tab renewals Calculate your vehicle tab fees or Use a License Express account Varies depending on the vehicle, plate, and location”
What if the car comes from another state?
New residents have
30 days
“You have 30 days after moving to Washington to get your driver license and register your vehicle.”
In plain English
A person moving to Washington has 30 days after the move to get a driver license and register the vehicle.
The official words
“You have 30 days after moving to Washington to get your driver license and register your vehicle.”
The Department of Licensing's fee page lists an out-of-state service fee of $50, used to check whether a vehicle coming to Washington is stolen.
The official words
“Out-of-state service fee (used to check if the vehicle coming to WA is stolen) $50”
Beginning July 1, 2026, an applicant seeking title for a vehicle previously registered in another state or country must pay an additional $25 fee before the application is accepted.
The official words
“Beginning July 1, 2026, before accepting an application for a certificate of title for a vehicle previously registered in any other state or country, the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director shall require the applicant to pay, in addition to the fee specified in subsection (1) of this section, a fee of $25”
What about tax on the purchase in Washington?
In plain English
The use tax is the 0.3% motor vehicle sales and use tax added to the sales tax rate at the buyer's address.
The official words
“The use tax is the sum of the 0.3% motor vehicle sales and use tax and the sales tax rate at the buyer's address.”
We don’t work out tax for Washington.
What does a gift or family transfer change in Washington?
In plain English
A person who receives a vehicle as a gift may have to pay use tax when transferring the title into their name. Whether use tax is owed depends on where the vehicle is coming from and whether the previous owner paid sales or use tax for it.
The official words
“If you received a vehicle or a vessel as a gift, you may have to pay use tax when you transfer the title into your name. Whether or not use tax is owed depends on where it is coming from and if the previous owner paid sales or use tax for it.”
What happens if the transfer is late in Washington?
In plain English
For a late title transfer, penalties begin when the transfer is not made within 15 days: $50 on the 16th day, and $2 per day after the 16th day, up to $125.
The official words
“If you don't transfer within 15 days you'll have to pay penalties: $50 on the 16th day, and $2 per day after the 16th day (up to $125)”
What the pages we read do not cover
The pages we read do not give a fee for recording a lender's claim on the title.
The quotes we hold do not say what papers to bring or which office takes the application.
The quotes do not settle which out-of-state fee amount is charged today.
How Washington compares
The title fee quoted for Washington is $15. Of the other 37 states with a figure, 15 states quote less, 16 states quote more and 6 states quote the same. A title fee is one line, not the whole cost.
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The states whose flat title fee sits closest to Washington’s. Each figure is copied from the quote at the top of that state’s page, with its source and read date. A title fee is one line, not the whole cost.
Every state in one table · How a title transfer works
Add it up for Washington
Reference only, not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the agency. Full statement
Sources
11 quoted lines from 5 official sources, each matched word for word on November 12, 2026. The state’s own titling page is dol.wa.gov.
- Washington State Department of Licensing, Calculate vehicle tab fees · dol.wa.gov
- Washington State Department of Licensing, Transfer title: Buying from private party · dol.wa.gov
- Washington State Department of Licensing, Use tax · dol.wa.gov
- Washington State Department of Licensing, Moving to Washington: Vehicle registration and plates · dol.wa.gov
- Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 46.17, Vehicle fees · app.leg.wa.gov