Washington — quick answer
In Washington, a bill of sale is required for a private vehicle sale and notarization is situational. No witnesses are required. The relevant state form is 420065. Ownership is transferred through the Washington DOL via the assigned title.
Is a bill of sale required in Washington?
Required. Washington uses Form 420065 (Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale); the seller files a Report of Sale within 5 days.
Seller signs the title; the buyer titles and registers, and the seller files a Report of Sale.
Does a Washington bill of sale need to be notarized?
Situational (situational). The transfer signature must be notarized if pre-signed; instead, you can sign in front of a vehicle-licensing agent (no notary needed in person).
Witness requirements
No. Washington does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
How to transfer a vehicle title in Washington
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Fill in the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Both parties sign and date the document.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller signs the title; the buyer titles and registers, and the seller files a Report of Sale.
- 3File a notice of sale / release of liability.
As the seller, file Report of Sale — file within 5 days so you are not liable for the vehicle after the sale.
- 4Register with the Washington DOL.
The buyer titles and registers the vehicle, bringing Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (420065). Confirm the current fees and documents on the official Washington DOL page.
Official Washington sources
- Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) — buying & selling a vehicle
- NHTSA — federal odometer disclosure rule
We link to primary government sources and review this page regularly, but requirements change. This is general information, not legal advice.
Washington bill of sale by type
Get requirements and a free template tailored to Washington for each item type — the generator applies the Washington notary and witness rules automatically:
Washington bill of sale — FAQ
Is a bill of sale required in Washington?
In Washington, a separate bill of sale is required. Washington uses Form 420065 (Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale); the seller files a Report of Sale within 5 days.
Does a Washington bill of sale need to be notarized?
Sometimes. The transfer signature must be notarized if pre-signed; instead, you can sign in front of a vehicle-licensing agent (no notary needed in person).
Do I need a witness for a bill of sale in Washington?
No. Washington does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
How do I transfer a vehicle title in Washington?
Seller signs the title; the buyer titles and registers, and the seller files a Report of Sale. Titling and registration in Washington are handled by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.