All vehicles and vessels that will be used within the State of Washington must be licensed. If you purchased your car, truck, boat, camper, or other vehicle or vessel from a dealer, the dealer may have already taken care of the licensing for you. Ask your dealer if this is so.
If the dealer did not do the licensing for you, or if you purchased your vehicle from a private party, you will need to license the vehicle yourself.
Washington-titled vehicles must be registered within fifteen (15) days after purchase to avoid penalty fees. A $25 penalty is charged on the 16th day with an additional $2.00 charge each day thereafter until a maximum amount of $100 penalty is reached.
You can register your vehicle by going to the main Auto Licensing center in downtown Vancouver, or better yet, you can license your vehicle at any of the county's 8 vehicle licensing agencies. See Listing of Locations for addresses and hours of operation.
Some items you will need
When you go to either the main office or to any of the agencies:
- The Washington title - properly released
- Current registration
- Notarized signatures
- Documentation of the purchase price
- Federal odometer statement on vehicles less than 10 years old
- Emission test may be required
- Picture ID
- Cash, check or money order (credit cards and debit cards are not accepted)
Location of Auto License Agents
What about special or personalized license
plates?
You can get information about special or personalized license
plates from the Washington State
Department of Licensing, including the ability to find out
whether a certain personalized license plate may be available.
