A Washington bill of sale is a written document that records the sale of a vehicle between a seller and a buyer. It states the sale price, the date of sale, and the vehicle’s identification.[3] Washington does not require a bill of sale to transfer a title. Signing the release of interest section on the certificate of title serves the same purpose.[2.2]
Last Updated: September 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Washington law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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The Department of Licensing also accepts a bill of sale as an alternative release document. In that case, all signatures on it must be notarized or certified, unless an exception applies.[2.1]
This template also covers other private sales, such as boats, firearms, and general property. In each case, a bill of sale gives both sides a signed record of the item, the price, and the date of the transaction.
| Document Name | Washington Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form |
| Other Names | Washington Car Bill of Sale, Washington Automobile Bill of Sale |
| DMV | Washington State Department of Licensing |
| Bill of Sale Required? | Not required for a title transfer[2.2] |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 7 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 24 |
Washington bills of sale differ according to the sale types and conditions under which the purchase is made. You will need the correct template for each transaction to be applied and recorded successfully within the state. You should not underestimate these bill of sale types and choose the one that fits the occasion best because each document contains specific terms and information to cover.
Washington bill of sale for a motor vehicle records the vehicle sale between a seller and buyer. The document verifies the accuracy of all vehicle details, including its make, model, identification number (VIN), and most recent mileage. Before the sale is settled, you may need to prove your vehicle condition by having it inspected to make sure both parties of the sale are aware of it.
| Alternative Name | Car Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Required |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
Washington boat bill of sale helps prove the transfer of ownership of a boat. The document should cover such information as boat registration numbers, make, model, year of manufacture, and any additional features making your boat stand out. In practice, a bill of sale is not always asked for when a vessel is registered, but keeping one for your records protects both parties if the transaction is questioned later.
| Alternative Name | Vessel Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Required |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
Washington bill of sale for a firearm allows recording when a firearm changes ownership. In this document, you have to specify the model, make, and caliber of the firearm, as well as the price, serial number, and individual information of the purchaser and seller (including the DLNs). All firearm sales or transfers in Washington are subject to a background check unless state or federal law specifically exempts them, and when neither party is a licensed dealer the sale must be completed through a licensed dealer (RCW 9.41.113).[4.1]
| Alternative Name | Gun Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Optional |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
Washington general bill of sale can be used for almost all private transactions where no specific bill of sale form applies. You will probably decide on going with a general bill of sale for you and the other party to be protected even in those events where it’s not necessary to have a bill of sale form. Consider using these bills of sale to record such transactions as equipment, supplies, or tools sales. Being less specific than other types, general bills of sale need to indicate all the purchase details accurately.
| Alternative Name | Generic Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Optional |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
To complete a Washington vehicle bill of sale, enter the vehicle’s description, then the sale price and payment method, then the seller’s and buyer’s information. Sign the form last, and have it notarized if you use it in place of the release of interest section on the title.
Step 1: Describe the vehicle
On page 1, fill in the vehicle’s description.[3] Provide:
Step 2: Enter the date and price
Enter the date of sale and the sale price.[3] On FormsPal’s template, also mark how the vehicle was paid for: in full, as a trade-in, with a deposit, or as a gift. Then add the payment method and whether the price includes sales tax.
Step 3: Specify the seller’s information
The following section is devoted to the seller. You are expected to specify such details as:
Step 4: Provide the buyer’s information
After identifying the seller, it’s necessary to provide the buyer’s contact information, including:
Step 5: Review the closing provisions
Page 3 states the ownership, as-is, and entire-agreement terms of the sale. There are no fields to fill in here, just read them before signing.
Step 6: Sign the form
The seller, the buyer, and a witness each sign, print their name, and date the form.
Step 7: Sign before a notary, where required
If you use this bill of sale instead of signing the release of interest section on the Washington certificate of title, all signatures must be notarized or certified.[2.1] Page 4 of the template has a space for this, in front of a notary public.
After a Washington vehicle sale, the buyer must apply for a new certificate of title within 15 days of taking delivery of the vehicle.[1.3] The seller must also sign the release of interest section and give the buyer the title or other proof of ownership.[1.1] Where the law requires an odometer disclosure for the sale, the seller must provide one too.[1.2]
Use FormsPal’s deadline calculator to count the 15-day title window from the delivery date. FormsPal’s Washington bill of sale template asks for the vehicle’s VIN, the sale price, and the date of sale.[3] This is the same information Washington’s own bill of sale form, DOL Form 420-065, requests.
In practice, sellers also remove their license plate at the time of sale. Many also submit a report of sale to the DOL, often at a Washington DOL office or online, noting the sale price, the VIN, and the buyer’s name and address.
To complete vehicle registration, the buyer typically brings the following to the Washington DOL:
A bill of sale is not the only route to a release of interest in Washington. Signing the release of interest section on the certificate of title works on its own, without a separate bill of sale.[2.2]
Within 15 days of taking delivery, the buyer must apply for a new certificate of title. This can be done with the Washington Department of Licensing, a county auditor, or an authorized subagent.[1.3] On the seller’s side, Washington’s own bill of sale form asks for both parties’ names and addresses, the vehicle’s VIN, the sale price, and the date of sale.[3]
Vehicle Title Application – Additional Owners is used if there are several owners or lienholders of the vehicle).
Needed to appoint another person to act on your behalf when registering your vehicle.
Vessel Title Application – Additional Owners (for several registered owners or lienholders).
Vessel Registration Exemption certifies why your vessel is exempt from registering in Washington.
Vessel Report of Sale notifies that the vessel is sold or traded.
Firearm Transfer Application (for pistols and semiautomatic assault rifles).
Firearms Record Certification Request is used to request a certification of a concealed pistol or a handgun purchase history.
Other Washington Forms
General information, not legal or tax advice.
