Problems getting title to my vehicle
Various issues can cause problems getting title to your vehicle. This guide explains different ways to get title into your name. It has the court forms you need for an order to Quiet Title. If you need to an order to Quiet Title for a manufactured home or mobile home, use our guide for problems with mobile home titles.
Contents
1. Common ways to get title
How do I normally get proof of vehicle ownership?
A vehicle’s buyer and seller must both give paperwork that reports the sale to the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) within 5 days of the vehicle’s sale. The seller signs over the title to you. The DOL then issues you a new title.
If you are paying on the vehicle, the title lists you as the registered owner and the seller as the legal owner until you finish making payments.
What if the seller lost the title?
A seller who has lost or misplaced the title can apply for a new copy and sign it over to you. The seller should use the DOL’s Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest form.
What if the title is in some other registered or legal owner’s name?
You can ask the last registered or legal owner to sign and file an Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest form.
Example: You finished making your payments on the vehicle. You can ask the legal owner to sign and file a release of interest.
The court awarded me the vehicle in my divorce. My ex disappeared or refuses to give me title. What can I do?
It depends if your final divorce order clearly identified the vehicle. You need it to include all of these:
- Year, make, and model
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
If your divorce order has this information, you don’t need to go back to court. You do need a certified copy of the Final Divorce Order from the clerk of the court that issued it. There will be a small fee for that. Take the certified copy to your local DOL vehicle licensing office.
If your divorce order doesn’t have this information, you should file a Motion to Clarify Final Divorce Order to Identify Vehicle. Once the judge signs the clarifying Order, you can get a certified copy to bring to your local Department of Licensing vehicle licensing office. They will transfer the title into your name.
What if I live in my vehicle?
If you live in your vehicle you may have specific issues and special rights. If your vehicle is a camper, trailer or RV different title rules might apply to your situation depending on the type of vehicle you live in.
Do campers need their own registration and title?
Yes. Cab-over campers and other campers are living spaces that sit on your truck. Even if your camper is permanently attached to your truck, they each need their own title and registration. Even if the camper and truck were previously registered as one motorhome, now they have to be titled and registered individually. You will need to register and retitle them at the same time.