Washington Title Words Explained: Legal Owner, Brand, Release

• Release of interest. Your signed statement giving up your claim to the car. RCW 46.12.650 requires a seller to release interest on the title or an approved form. See signing a title.
• Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest. A DOL form that can stand in for a lost title at sale.
• Affidavit in Lieu of Title. Another document that can stand in for a lost title at sale, per DOL. It is one of the three documents we accept.
• Junk Vehicle Affidavit. A DOL form used in the junk vehicle process for a car on private property. See the explainer.
• Power of attorney. A signer writes, for example, “John Q. Public by Jane C. Doe, POA.” See POA guide.
• Odometer disclosure. Required for each title application, with exemptions. Today a “model year of 2010 or older” is exempt, under RCW 46.12.665. That changes on January 1, 2031.

• Brand. A permanent mark on the title record. WAC 308-56A-530 says brands stay indefinitely and are removed only if made in error.
• “DESTROYED.” What a title is marked once a destroyed vehicle is reported (RCW 46.12.600).
• “WA rebuilt.” A label for a rebuilt Washington vehicle. DOL says Quick Title is not available for these.
• Market value threshold. A figure used in deciding brands for vehicles 6 to 20 years old. The current rule sets it at $12,220, effective August 20, 2026. Other published numbers differ, so confirm with DOL. See salvage title explained.
• Title washing. When a brand gets removed through state document transfers. It is on DOL’s fraud page.

• Report of Sale. The seller’s notice to DOL, due within five business days, under RCW 46.12.650. See our guide.
• Transfer. The buyer’s application for a new title, due “within 15 days of delivery.” This is separate from your Report of Sale.
• Notice of Cancellation. A letter that goes with the sale of a total loss, along with a notarized bill of sale, according to DOL.
• Bill of sale. A signed record of a sale. DOL requires one, signed by both parties, unless price and date are on the title.

• Duplicate or replacement title. As of this writing, DOL lists $39.50 regular and $89.50 Quick Title. Fees can change. See getting a duplicate title.
• Ownership in doubt. A route when ownership is uncertain. Its options under RCW 46.12.680 are registering without title for three years, a bonded title, or a court petition. Some cases do not qualify.
• Bonded title. One of those options, with a bond of 1.5 times the value, for three years.

If your title problem does not match any of these, ask at a licensing office. Selling without a title has its own page, and our paperwork guide covers what we need.