Who Should You Give a Signed Title To?

People call a title signed by the seller with no buyer named an “open title”. That is everyday talk rather than a term from the rules we read. The problem is practical, and it reaches you in three ways.

• You can’t file a proper report

  A Report of Sale is properly filed only with the buyer’s full name and complete address (RCW 46.12.650). If you don’t know who ended up with the car, what do you write?

• You may not be able to prove the transfer

  A report alone is not proof of a completed transfer for towing, storage or auction bills if nothing shows the buyer knew of it. In an impound, RCW 46.55.105 leaves liability with the last owner to prove the transfer.

• You can’t tell who is holding it

  Anyone who ends up with that title has your release. You may have no way of knowing where the car went.

• The next person inherits the mess

  The buyer must apply for a new title within 15 days of delivery. A chain with a gap can make their transfer harder, and it can lead them back to you. See what a “jumped” title is.

Run through this checklist. All of these should be true:

• The person in front of you is the buyer, or works for the buyer and you know that business’s name.
• You have checked the business’s license if it is a hauler, wrecker or processor. Here is how to check.
• The buyer’s full name and complete address are written down.
• The price is agreed and you have the payment in hand. Count it first.
• The car is leaving with them now.
• All owners have signed.

A licensed hulk hauler has its own reason to want this done properly. WAC 308-65-080 says supporting documents must be in the hauler’s possession “at all times while the vehicle is transported”.

• Do not leave a signed title in the car. Anyone who opens the door has it, and you have no receipt.
• Do not mail a signed title ahead of the pickup. You would have released your interest before you know the sale will happen.
• Do not give it to a friend “to take care of it”. If they are not the buyer, you still need a real buyer’s name for your report. If they are the buyer, fill in their name.
• Do not hand it over and wait to be paid later. Keep the title until you have the money.
• Do not sell the title apart from the car. Selling a title without the vehicle is a class C felony under RCW 46.12.750. If anyone offers to buy “just the title”, walk away.

Signing can seem like the easy way out if you are too busy to be present. We recommend you be there. If you can’t, read what to arrange if timing is hard.

1. Confirm the numbers

   Check the price against your notes. If it has changed, stop and read this guide.

2. Get paid

   Count the money where you can see it. See taking cash safely.

3. Sign and fill in the buyer

   Follow our title guide. Do not cross anything out.

4. Photograph it

   Take both sides of the signed title, and the receipt or bill of sale.

5. Hand over title and registration

   RCW 46.12.655 lists providing the title and registration certificate to the person acquiring ownership among the steps that relieve you of liability for how the car is operated later.

6. Take your plates

   DOL says sellers are legally obligated to remove them.

7. File your Report of Sale

   Do it the same day if you can, within five business days at the latest. You can file online.

You signed a title and handed it off with the buyer line blank, or the deal fell through and someone still has it. Act now:

• Contact the person and ask for the title back, or for the name and address of the person who has the car.
• Write down what you know: date, name, phone number, plate, VIN, price.
• If the car is sold and you know the buyer’s name and address, file your Report of Sale.
• Ask a vehicle licensing office what it will accept if you have incomplete information. An incomplete report is filed but may not protect you.
• If the title was taken or you think it is being misused, contact the police, and talk to an attorney.

We take the paperwork at pickup while you are present, and you get paid in cash on the spot. Have the title, an Affidavit in Lieu of Title or a Junk Vehicle Affidavit ready. Before the driver leaves, confirm the name and address to put on your report. How it works goes through each step.