Choosing a Buyer
How to Sign Over a Car Title in Washington When You Junk It
The driver is coming tomorrow and you have just found the title in a drawer. It has a lot of small boxes, and you only get one try. Pause before you pick up a pen.
Signing a title is simple if you know who signs and what not to do. A careless correction can cost you weeks. Here is what the Washington rules say, and where to get help if your title looks different from what you expected.
Short answer
Every legal and registered owner shown on the title signs the release of interest, using the name as printed. Fill in the buyer’s name, date and price rather than leaving them blank. Do not cross out or erase anything, because an alteration can void the title. If you make a mistake, stop and ask a vehicle licensing office before you write anything else.
Who has to sign
DOL says “All legal and registered owners shown on the title must sign the Release of Interest”. Use the table to find your situation.
| Situation | Who signs | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| One owner | That owner. | |
| Two or more owners | Everyone listed. No source we have read says one signer is enough, even with “or” on an older title. | Two names on the title |
| A bank or lender is listed | The lender has to release first. | Selling a car with a lien |
| A company owns it | Business name, the authorized person’s signature, and that person’s title (WAC 308-56A-270). | Business-owned cars |
| You hold a power of attorney | Write it the way DOL shows: “John Q. Public by Jane C. Doe, POA” (DOL). | Power of attorney |
| The owner has died | It depends on the estate. | Selling an inherited car |
| Your name has changed | The record may need to be updated first. Ask a licensing office. | Name problems |
A signature on someone else’s behalf with no authority is not a shortcut. Forgery is a class B felony under RCW 46.12.750.
How to sign it, step by step
Read both sides first
Title layouts can vary. Find the area for releasing interest. If you can’t tell which box is yours, ask a vehicle licensing office or your buyer before you write.
Check the owner lines
Confirm who is listed as registered owner and legal owner. If a lender is listed and has not released, stop here.
Wait until the buyer is in front of you
Sign when the car, the buyer and the money are all there. Here is why not to sign ahead of time.
Sign and print clearly
Use a pen, and write slowly. Match the owner’s name as printed on the title.
Fill in the buyer, date and price where the form asks
DOL requires a bill of sale signed by both parties unless the price and date are on the title. Use the real date and real price.
Do the odometer disclosure if it applies
See the section below.
Photograph both sides
Do this before you hand it over, and keep the photos with your receipt.
The odometer part
RCW 46.12.665 requires an odometer disclosure with each title application. Only one owner needs to complete each side. These are exempt today:
- Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 16,000 lb.
- Non-self-propelled vehicles.
- Vehicles of “model year of 2010 or older”. From Jan. 1, 2031, this changes to vehicles 20 years old or older.
If your car is newer than that, write the real reading. Take a photo if the dash still lights up. If the car is dead and you can’t read it, ask a licensing office how to handle that before you sign. WAC 308-56A-640 says the seller cannot give the buyer or dealer a power of attorney for the statement (apart from one federal exception), and no one may sign both sides.
Mistakes that can void or delay
| The mistake | Why it matters | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing out or using correction fluid | WAC 308-56A-215 says alteration or erasure voids a title unless satisfactory documentation is given. | Stop. Ask a licensing office. |
| Leaving the buyer line blank | You can’t file a complete report without the buyer’s name and address, and you lose track of who has your title. | Fill it in during the sale. |
| One owner signing for both | DOL says all owners sign. | Get the other owner there, or use a proper power of attorney. |
| Signing in the wrong place | The title may be rejected or need extra documents. | Read first. Ask if unsure. |
| Writing a false price or date | A false statement on a transfer is a class B felony under RCW 46.12.750. | Use the true amount and date. |
| Giving up the title with no bill of sale or receipt | RCW 46.12.650 says a report of sale alone may not prove the transfer for towing or storage bills. | Get a receipt with the date, price and VIN. |
If a signature can’t go on the title itself, WAC 308-56A-265 says a signature releasing interest that is not on the title must be notarized or certified.
If you already made a mistake
Do not try to fix it with more writing. Take the title to a vehicle licensing office, explain what happened and ask what they will accept. They may ask for documents or a replacement title. Our guide on replacing a title covers that process. DOL lists a replacement title at $39.50 regular and $89.50 Quick Title, and the fees can change.
If you can’t find the title at all, don’t panic. An Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest or an Affidavit in Lieu of Title can stand in at sale. See selling without a title.
Signing with us
We recommend you be there at pickup, so you can hand over the paperwork and get paid at the same time. If you are unsure about a line on your title, call (206) 941-0612 before the truck comes. For what comes after, see our paperwork guide and our Report of Sale guide.
Common questions
Official sources
- Washington DOL: Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest
- WAC 308-56A-270: Business signatures
- RCW 46.12.750: Title offenses and penalties
- Washington DOL: Sell a vehicle
- RCW 46.12.665: Odometer disclosure
- WAC 308-56A-640: Odometer disclosure rules
- WAC 308-56A-215: Altered or erased titles
- RCW 46.12.650: Report of sale and transfer
- WAC 308-56A-265: Release of interest documents
- Washington DOL: Replace a lost title or registration
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
- Who Should You Give a Signed Title To?
- How to Read Reviews for a Junk Car Buyer
- Junk Car Buyer or Charity Pickup: Which Fits Your Car?
- How to Choose a Junk Car Buyer in Washington
- 12 Questions to Ask a Junk Car Buyer Before Pickup
- Red Flags When Selling a Junk Car
How we can help
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Fast same day service. I just had to make sure we had the title and the truck was clean and we were good to go! Thanks for getting rid of our old truck for free.
If you have any questions please call us at 206-941-0612