Unusual Ownership
Selling a Car for Someone Else With Power of Attorney
Your mother moved to care. Your brother is overseas. The car is still sitting outside, and you are holding a power of attorney (POA) that someone told you covers this. Before you sign anything, read the document itself. A POA gives you only what it says.
This guide covers how a POA works for a car in Washington. If you are still deciding how to approach a parent about the car, read selling a parent’s car first.
Short answer
A power of attorney can let you sell a car for the owner if it gives you that authority. The Department of Licensing (DOL) says to sign as “John Q. Public by Jane C. Doe, POA”. A POA cannot change a name unless specifically authorized, and a guardian may not appoint one. Ask a licensing office whether yours is acceptable, then call us before booking a pickup.
Read the document before you do anything
Power of attorney documents vary. Sit down with yours and look for these.
- Your name is correctly stated as the agent, and the owner’s name matches the title.
- The power to sell a vehicle, or to sell personal property in general. A POA limited to health care decisions or to banking may not reach this.
- Any end date, or any condition that must happen first.
- A notary’s stamp. RCW 46.70.021 refers to a notarized power of attorney for displaying a vehicle for sale, so a notarized document is the safer one to have.
- The original. Ask the licensing office whether a copy will do.
We did not find a specific DOL POA form or form number in the sources we read. Ask a vehicle licensing office whether DOL has a form it prefers and whether your document will be accepted.
How to sign
DOL’s Affidavit of Loss/Release page gives the wording. You sign the owner’s name, then yours, with the letters POA.
| Owner | How it should read |
|---|---|
| A person | “John Q. Public by Jane C. Doe, POA” |
| A business | “Business Inc. by Jane C. Doe, POA” |
Do not sign just the owner’s name as though they had signed it themselves. That is the difference between a lawful signature and a false one, and RCW 46.12.750 treats forgery and false statements on a title transfer as a class B felony.
If there is a second owner on the title, your POA covers only the person who gave it. All legal and registered owners must sign, so the other owner still has to sign. See two names on the title.
What a POA cannot do
| Limit | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Changing a name | A POA cannot change a name unless specifically authorized. (DOL) |
| Adding or deleting an owner | That needs a title transfer. (DOL) |
| A guardian appointing a POA | When a court has declared the owner incompetent, only the court-appointed guardian releases interest, and that guardian may not appoint a POA. (WAC 308-56A-325) |
| The odometer statement | The seller cannot give the buyer or dealer a POA for the odometer statement, except under a federal note, and no one may sign both sides. (WAC 308-56A-640) |
The odometer rule matters in practice. If a buyer offers to “take care of everything” with a POA from the owner, stop and read this rule, and do not sign. A title or release for a model year 2010 or older car is exempt from the odometer statement under RCW 46.12.665, but the POA should still go to someone you trust, not to whoever is buying.
If the owner has died, a POA is not the route to rely on. DOL’s estate transfer rules in WAC 308-56A-335 apply instead. See selling an inherited car.
The sale, in order
Confirm with the owner, if you can
Even with authority, talk it over. If they are able, have them agree, and note the date. Agents act for the owner, so keep the owner’s interests first.
Check title, lien and plates
Find the title. If it is missing, see how to replace a lost title. If a lender is listed, it must release. Disabled parking and other special plates must be returned.
Ask the buyer about the POA first
Do not assume any buyer will accept your document. Call us, or whoever you plan to sell to, with the details first.
Sign, with the POA in hand
Bring the original, and keep a copy of the document for your records along with what you signed.
Report the sale
Under RCW 46.12.650, the report is due within five business days. Our Report of Sale guide covers it. Enter the owner’s name and current address.
Put the money where it belongs
It is the owner’s money. Keep a record of the amount, and deposit it as your authority allows.
Selling to us under a POA
A car sold under POA is not in the seller’s name, so please do not book until we have spoken. Call us at (206) 941-0612 and tell us what you have, and we will tell you whether we can take it. Have the owner’s name, the POA and the title ready. We recommend that the person with authority be present at the pickup, to hand over paperwork and get paid.
The how it works page explains the pickup, and the hulk hauler page explains why we need to see documents.
Common questions
Official sources
- RCW 46.70.021: Dealer license required; who may display a vehicle for sale
- Washington DOL: Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest
- RCW 46.12.750: False statements, forgery and title crimes
- WAC 308-56A-325: Guardians
- WAC 308-56A-640: Odometer statements and power of attorney
- RCW 46.12.665: Odometer disclosure
- WAC 308-56A-335: Transfer when an owner has died
- Washington DOL: Dispose of old plates
- RCW 46.12.650: Release of interest, report of sale and transfer
This post summarizes official Washington guidance as of November 2, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees can change, so check the sources above for your situation.
Keep reading
- Washington Junk Car Seller’s GuideEvery guide, sorted by where you are in the decision
- Washington Junk Car Paperwork GuideThe documents you need before pickup
- Selling a Parent’s Car When They Stop Driving
- Name Misspelled or Changed on a Car Title in Washington
- Junking a Car Owned by a Business in Washington
- Junking a Vehicle From a Closed Business
- You Only Have a Bill of Sale: Can You Sell the Car?
- Expired Tabs on a Junk Car in Washington
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They made it so easy and fast! I called them gave them all the details and they came within the hour towed the car and gave us cash on the spot will definitely recommend them :)
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If you have any questions please call us at 206-941-0612