Washington Bill of Sale — Free Template & Generator
Washington’s Department of Licensing says buyer and seller must both sign a bill of sale before the buyer can apply for a new title — unless the sale price and date are written on the title — and it keeps that document separate from the Report of Sale the seller files within 5 days. Generate one with Washington pre-selected, then follow the steps below, each cited to the DOL.
- Free
- No signup
- Word & PDF
- Washington pre-selected
How it works
- 01 Washington is already selected
The governing-law clause names the state; change it only if the sale happens elsewhere.
- 02 Enter the item and the parties
Vehicle, boat or general item — VIN and odometer, or HIN — plus price, payment method, seller and buyer.
- 03 Review clause by clause
The as-is terms, the seller’s title warranty and, for vehicles, the federal odometer statement.
- 04 Download, then file Washington’s paperwork
Word & PDF on your device; the state steps and forms are listed below, each cited to the source.
What Washington actually requires
Washington rules for a private sale
Last verified September 4, 2026- Bill of sale Required — unless price and date are on the title
Before the buyer can apply for a new title and pay fees or taxes on the vehicle, you’ll both need to sign a Bill of Sale, unless the sale price and date are included on the title. It is not to be confused with a Report of Sale: the Bill of Sale includes information about the vehicle, the buyer and the seller, and each party should keep a copy.
- Official form TD-420-065, vehicle or vessel
The DOL form asks for the plate or registration number, the VIN or HIN, model year, make, model, date of sale and sale price, the seller’s and buyer’s names and addresses, whether the buyer is an immediate family member receiving a gift, and both signatures. Completing it does not transfer the title or act as a Report of Sale.
- Seller’s Report of Sale 5 days
As the seller you are legally obligated to submit a Report of Sale within 5 days of the sale date — online, in person or by mail — giving the plate number, the date, the sale price (zero if a gift), the new owner’s name and address and the VIN. Filing it protects you from towing charges and civil or criminal liabilities incurred by the new owner.
- Buyer’s deadline 15 days — late fee $50 to $125
The buyer takes the Certificate of Title and the Bill of Sale to any vehicle licensing office and pays all fees and taxes, applying within 15 days of acquiring the vehicle or vessel; late transfer fees start at $50 and increase to a maximum of $125.
- License plates Seller removes them
As the seller you are legally obligated to remove the license plates from your vehicle; they may be transferred to another vehicle of the same kind that you own or surrendered at a licensing office — the buyer can’t use them. The DOL recommends both parties meet at a vehicle licensing office to collect payment and sign over the title.
How this document fits Washington’s paperwork
Official form: TD-420-065 — Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale. One form for a vehicle or a vessel. Completing it does not transfer the title or act as a Report of Sale; the buyer takes it with the Certificate of Title to a vehicle licensing office.
The DOL’s one-page form records the identifiers, the price and the signatures; this generated bill of sale records the same and adds the seller’s title warranty, the as-is terms and the payment method, which the DOL form does not carry. Sign it, keep a copy each, and the buyer takes it with the signed title to a vehicle licensing office within 15 days while the seller files the Report of Sale within 5 days.
FAQ
Washington bill of sale questions
- Is a bill of sale required in Washington?
- Yes, unless the sale price and date are written on the title. The DOL says buyer and seller both sign a bill of sale before the buyer can apply for a new title and pay fees or taxes, and each keeps a copy — if you lose yours, the only copy is a public records request.
- What is the difference between a bill of sale and a Report of Sale?
- The bill of sale is the document between buyer and seller that the buyer takes to the licensing office. The Report of Sale is the seller’s notice to the DOL, due within 5 days of the sale, that releases the seller from towing charges and civil or criminal liabilities the new owner incurs.
- How long does the buyer have to transfer the title in Washington?
- 15 days from acquiring the vehicle or vessel. After that a late transfer fee applies, starting at $50 and rising to a maximum of $125.
- Does a Washington bill of sale need to be notarized?
- The DOL’s own Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale has signature lines for the buyer and the seller and no notary block, and the DOL’s selling steps do not mention a notary.
- Can I use the same form for a boat?
- Yes — TD-420-065 is a Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale with a box for either and a line for the VIN or hull identification number. Sellers of a boat file a Vessel Report of Sale rather than the vehicle one.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. Free Contract Generator provides self-help templates and general information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Vehicle-transfer rules are set by each state and change; confirm the current rule with the agency cited and consult a licensed attorney for advice about your situation.