Washington Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Washington costs $15 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,286.25 in total, with $1,050 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Washington title fees
These are the title-related fees in Washington's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Title dealer from 10/01/2026 | $40 |
| Filing title and registration | $12.50 |
| Filing title only | $6.50 |
| Service title and registration | $29 |
| Service title only | $18 |
| Plates new | $104 |
| Plate transfer | $10 |
| Quick title | $50 |
- $50 per plate + $2 reflectivity per plate (two plates = $104)
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Washington
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Washington car tax calculator:
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $1,050 |
| Filing + service fees (if you register it now) | $41.50 |
| License fee (if you register it now) | $30 |
| Weight fee (if you register it now) | $45 |
| Plates (if you register it now) | $104 |
| License service fee (if you register it now) | $0.75 |
| Estimated total | $1,286.25 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Washington charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: plates new $104; plate transfer $10.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift | Use tax may apply unless donor paid tax or owned 7+ years in a sales-tax state |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance | No sales/use tax; fees still due |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Washington
| Out-of-state / new resident | Washington tax minus tax paid elsewhere |
|---|---|
| EV sales-tax exemption | Expired 2025-07-31 |
| Military | No automatic exemption |
How Washington works out what you owe
- Taxable base = price - like-kind trade-in (doc fee is not taxable)
- Tax = taxable base x (6.5% + 0.5% MVST + local rate)
- RTA tax (Sound Transit district only) = 1.1% x MSRP x depreciation percentage
- Fees = title + filing + service + license + weight fee + $10 additional weight fee + license service + arbitration (dealer) + plates
- Total = tax + RTA + fees + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Washington: dol.wa.gov, app.leg.wa.gov, dor.wa.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Washington?
The title fee is $15. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,286.25.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Washington?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Washington charges about $1,050. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Washington?
Yes. Plates new: $104; Plate transfer: $10.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Washington?
Gift: Use tax may apply unless donor paid tax or owned 7+ years in a sales-tax state.
What happens to a car title after a death in Washington?
Inheritance: No sales/use tax; fees still due.