Two Names on the Title: “And” vs. “Or” in Washington

Two sources decide this.

• WAC 308-56A-056 says DOL has not used “and,” “or,” or “/” between owners since 1974. On older titles that have them, registered owners are “considered to have equal registered owner interest”.
• DOL’s Affidavit of Loss/Release page says “All legal and registered owners shown on the title must sign the Release of Interest”. Its buyer page says the title “must be signed by all owners”.

You may hear that “or” means either owner can sign alone. That idea may come from other states’ rules, which we did not research. No Washington source we read says it, so do not rely on it for a car titled here. If your title is from another state, ask that state’s agency, and read our out-of-state title guide.

If the other owner agrees but cannot be there, you have several options. Choose one before you book anything.

• Sign the title ahead of time

  Each owner signs the release on the title. We found no rule that they must sign at the same moment. Follow our title signing guide, and do not fill in anything you are unsure of.

• Use a notarized affidavit

  If the title is lost or the owner signs on a separate document, WAC 308-56A-265 says a signature that is not on the title must be notarized or certified.

• Use a power of attorney

  One owner can authorize someone to sign. DOL’s format is “John Q. Public by Jane C. Doe, POA”. See selling with power of attorney.

• Remove an owner first

  DOL says adding or deleting an owner needs a title transfer. This takes longer, so use it only when it fits your real situation.

The odometer statement is simpler. Under RCW 46.12.665, only one owner needs to complete each side. No one may sign both sides, however, and model year 2010 or older is exempt today.

1. Ask in writing

   Send a short text or email: the car, what you want to do, how the money will be split and what they would need to sign. Keep the reply.

2. Offer an easy way

   A pre-filled, unsigned document they can review, and a notary near them, can solve the problem. Let them read it first.

3. Look at your situation

   If you are divorcing, read our divorce guide. If they moved away, read when an owner moved.

4. Get legal help if it stays stuck

   WAC 308-56A-320 says a court order can transfer title. That is a job for an attorney, who can tell you whether it makes sense for a car of this value.

What you cannot do is sign their name, even if they said it would be fine. RCW 46.12.750 makes forgery or a false statement on a title transfer a class B felony.

Nothing we read tells co-owners how to divide what a car brings, so agree on it before the sale. A quick text is fine. Payment at our pickups is cash, so decide in advance who will hold it, and write down the amount for both owners’ records. Each owner should also know the Report of Sale has been filed, because both names stay tied to the record until it is.

Tell us about both names when you call. We recommend the seller be present at pickup, to hand over paperwork and get paid. If both owners are not coming, have the signed title or notarized document in hand first. Call us at (206) 941-0612 and tell us what you have, and we will tell you whether we can take it. Our how it works page has the steps, and how we work out an offer covers the five factors behind a price.