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Insurance Destroyed and Wrecker Destroyed Vehicles/Vessels
When your vehicle/vessel has been involved in an accident and your insurance company deems the vehicle/vessel a total loss, this information is reported to the Washington Department of Licensing. There may be a process you will need to go through to have your vehicle/vessel determined safe for use. Please visit the Department of Licensing website for more information.
Military Personnel
If you are currently serving in the military you can continue to title and license your vehicle/vessel in Washington. Please visit the Department of Licensing website for more information.
Name Changes
If your name changes, you will need to update your title and registration. Changing your name on one vehicle/vessel does not update all your vehicles/vessels. If you have a lienholder on your title, you will need to go through your lender for any changes you would like to make to your name. Please visit the Department of Licensing website for more information.
Removing a Lienholder
If you are financing your vehicle/vessel, your lender is holding your title. Once you have paid off the loan one of two things will occur:
- the lender will notify the State and have a new title issued and mailed to you at a cost to the lender.
- the lender will mail the signed off title to you. Once you receive the title from the lender, it is your responsibility to go into a licensing office and pay for a new title in your name only.
Vehicles Imported From Another Country
If you import a vehicle/vessel from a foreign country and want to register it in Washington:
It must clear U.S. Customs
and
You must have U.S. Customs or Department of Defense documents. These must:
- Include the year, make, and VIN of the vehicle or HIN of the vessel
- Be from U.S. Customs, not from a brokerage or foreign customs office
- Be signed and stamped by Customs
Helpful Links:
Importing a Motor Vehicle
Customs Entry Summary Form
Off-Road/On-Road All-Terrain Vehicles
All-Terrain Vehicles, or ATV’s, are required to be titled and licensed in Washington. These units can be for off-road use and modified for on-road use as well.
Please visit the Department of Licensing for more information on each type of unit.
Modified Off-Road ATV for On-Road Use