(1)
How
does a registered or legal owner release interest in a vehicle? To
release interest in a vehicle a registered or legal owner must:
(a) Sign the release of interest section
provided on the certificate of ownership; or
(b) Provide a release of interest document or
form approved by the department.
(2)
Do signatures releasing interest
need to be notarized or certified? If the signatures releasing interest
are not provided on the certificate of ownership, all signatures must be
notarized or certified in accordance with WAC
308-56A-275.
(3)
When are notarized or certified
signatures not required on a release of interest? Signatures releasing
interest do not need to be notarized or certified when:
(a) A signature releasing interest is
provided on the certificate of ownership issued by the department or another
jurisdiction;
(b) An approved
affidavit in lieu of title printed by a lending institution that is authorized
by the department to participate in the electronic title program is
provided;
(c) A secured party is
releasing interest; and
(i) The secured party
is a business; and
(ii) Provide a
release of interest document or form approved by the department; and
(iii) Is submitted with the current
certificate of ownership;
(d) A release of interest or bill of sale
from the registered owner when the vehicle is from a jurisdiction which does
not title this type of vehicle;
(e)
A release of interest or bill of sale from a wrecker or insurance
company.
(4)
When
is a release of interest not required from a registered owner? A release
of interest from the registered owner is not required when:
(a) The registered owner is identified as a
lessee or sublessee on an ownership document.
(b) The vehicle is awarded to a different
owner by legal action.
(5)
What other documentation may be
used as a release of interest? Documents that may be used as a release
of interest include, but are not limited to:
(a) Bill of sale;
(b) Affidavit in lieu of title with the
release of interest portion properly completed;
(c) Letter of release;
(d) Affidavit of repossession;
(e) Affidavit of sale on an abandoned vehicle
report;
(f) Chattel or landlord
lien form;
(g) Certificate of junk
vehicle form; or
(h) Other
documentation approved by the department.
These items may be subject to notary
requirements.