Washington car — quick answer
In Washington, a car bill of sale is required and notarization of the title transfer is situational. The state form used for titled vehicles is 420065. Titling and registration are handled by the Washington DOL.
Is a car 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 car 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).
What to include on a Washington car bill of sale
- Buyer and seller full legal names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and color of the car
- 17-character VIN
- Odometer reading at the time of sale
- Agreed price and how it was paid
- Date and both signatures
How to transfer a car in Washington
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Record the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Both parties sign and date.
- 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.
The seller files Report of Sale — file within 5 days to remove liability.
- 4Register with the Washington DOL.
The buyer titles and registers the car, bringing Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale. Confirm current fees on the official page.
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.
Official sources
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the Washington DOL before you sign. Not legal advice.
Washington Car Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a car bill of sale required in Washington?
A bill of sale is required in Washington. Washington uses Form 420065 (Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale); the seller files a Report of Sale within 5 days.
Does a Washington car 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).
How do I write a bill of sale for a car?
List the buyer and seller, describe the car (year, make, model, VIN, color), record the odometer and the price, add the date, and have both parties sign. Our generator builds all of this for you and checks for missing details.
Can I sell a car without a bill of sale?
In some states you can transfer with just the signed title, but a bill of sale is strongly recommended everywhere because it documents the price, the mileage, and the date you stopped being responsible for the car.
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.