(1)
Who must file a vehicle seller's
report of sale? With the exception of certain vehicle transfers by
registered Washington vehicle dealers, and vehicles disposed of by licensed
vehicle wreckers, Washington law (RCW 46.12.101)
requires filing a vehicle seller's report of sale by any person or business
that transfers their interest in a Washington titled vehicle to anyone else.
For the purposes of this rule, transferring interest includes, but is not
limited to, selling, gifting, trading, or disposing of your vehicle, but does
not include the creation, deletion, or change of a security interest. A
licensed Washington vehicle dealer may file a report of sale on behalf of the
legal and/or registered owner who trades in, sells, or otherwise transfers
ownership to the dealership.
(2)
When must a completed vehicle seller's report of sale be filed?
Vehicle seller's report of sale must be received by the department within five
days of the date of sale, gift, trade, or other disposition of the vehicle,
excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state and federal holidays.
(3)
Who is the seller? The
seller is the current registered owner of record according to the computer file
kept by the department. The seller is a person (individual or business) who
transfers their right of ownership of a vehicle to another person or
business.
(4)
Who is the
purchaser? The purchaser is a person (individual or business) who takes
a vehicle into their possession, by voluntary acquisition.
(5)
Why complete and file a vehicle
seller's report of sale? It is in the seller's best interest to file the
properly completed vehicle seller's report of sale to protect the seller in the
event the buyer does not make application for ownership and then accumulates
parking tickets, or towing charges, is involved in an uninsured accident or
used in illegal activity, etc.
Vehicle seller's report of sale received by the department of
licensing that are incomplete will be filed with the department; however, those
that do not meet the requirements of the law may not protect the seller from
any civil or legal action if the vehicle is subsequently abandoned or involved
in illegal activity.
(6)
How do I file my vehicle seller's report of sale? You may file
your seller's report of sale through:
(a)
Your local vehicle/vessel licensing office; or
(b) The department by mail; or
(c) The internet.
(7)
What information is required on the
vehicle report of sale? You are required to provide information
contained in
RCW
46.12.101 that includes:
(a) The date of sale or transfer;
(b) Name(s) and address of seller;
(c) Name(s) and address of transferee
(buyer);
(d) Description of
vehicle; and
(e) Purchase price.
When you mail a vehicle seller's report of sale to the
department, you will not receive a confirmation or receipt. You may wish to
make a photocopy of the report of sale for your records prior to sending it to
the department.
(8)
Is there a fee for recording a
vehicle seller's report of sale? Yes. It applies when a report of sale
is filed through your local vehicle licensing office as authorized by
RCW
46.01.140 (5)(b).
(9)
May a vehicle seller's report of
sale be removed from my vehicle record? Yes. As a registered owner, you
may have a vehicle seller's report of sale removed from your vehicle record
through your local vehicle licensing office, or by notifying the department in
writing. You will need to provide the reason you are removing the vehicle
seller's report of sale from your vehicle record.
(10)
How will I show that I filed a
completed vehicle seller's report of sale? When you file a vehicle
seller's report of sale at any Washington vehicle licensing office, you will be
provided with a receipt.
When you file a vehicle report of sale on the internet, you
will have the option of printing your receipt. Both receipts will show the
following information:
(a) Date the
report of sale was filed;
(b)
Description of vehicle;
(c) Name
and address of agent/subagent where filed (not included when filing through the
internet);
(d) Date of
sale;
(e) Purchase price if
provided;
(f) Name(s) and address
of seller;
(g) Name(s) and address
of transferee (buyer if provided). Washington law makes it clear that it is a
felony to knowingly make a false statement of fact. The penalty, upon
conviction, must be a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more
than 10 years, or both the fine and imprisonment. (RCW
46.12.210.)
