Transferring a used car title interstate
August 7, 2020 12:20 PM Subscribe
I received a old used car with a street value of perhaps $3.5k as a gift from a family member and am trying to figure out the most efficient way to transfer the title. Car is in California, title (and family member) are in Washington, we plan to register it in Washington.
In looking at the WA DMV page and it seems to want the current owner to notarize or bring the title in person to the DMV. My family member seems to think that if they sign the title and mail it to us, we can "just" register it in California, no notarization required. Anyone with any insights? We're hoping to make the paperwork burden as light on my family member as possible.
In looking at the WA DMV page and it seems to want the current owner to notarize or bring the title in person to the DMV. My family member seems to think that if they sign the title and mail it to us, we can "just" register it in California, no notarization required. Anyone with any insights? We're hoping to make the paperwork burden as light on my family member as possible.
The wording of your question seems a bit contradictory
Car is in California, title (and family member) are in Washington, we plan to register it in Washington.
we can "just" register it in California,
Which state does the old owner (family member) have it titled and registered in now? In which state are you hoping to title & register it to for your use? Is part of your issue that the car is out of state and you need temp tags to legally drive it to your state? I don't know the answer to your question, but spelling things out will help get better answers. In general, if you have a signed title from state X, made out to you, you can title and register a car in your state whether your state is the same state as the title issuing state or a different state. But, some states may have more stringent anti-fraud measures which require jumping through extra hoops. Why not call the DMV in the state where you're hoping to register it, describe the scenario and ask what they need?
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 2:15 PM on August 7, 2020
Car is in California, title (and family member) are in Washington, we plan to register it in Washington.
we can "just" register it in California,
Which state does the old owner (family member) have it titled and registered in now? In which state are you hoping to title & register it to for your use? Is part of your issue that the car is out of state and you need temp tags to legally drive it to your state? I don't know the answer to your question, but spelling things out will help get better answers. In general, if you have a signed title from state X, made out to you, you can title and register a car in your state whether your state is the same state as the title issuing state or a different state. But, some states may have more stringent anti-fraud measures which require jumping through extra hoops. Why not call the DMV in the state where you're hoping to register it, describe the scenario and ask what they need?
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 2:15 PM on August 7, 2020
If it can pass California smog, and you have a signed Washington State title, the new owner (you) can register it in person in California (and at most AAA branches in the state if you're a member -- this alone is usually worth the cost of membership) The title does not need to be notarized.
The signature on the front of the Washington title releases interest in the car (it basically says "this car isn't mine anymore; whoever holds this document owns this car"). The signatures on the back (buyer and seller) certify the odometer reading.
Washington does not require the title to be notarized. Washington does require that the application for a NEW title be notarized or signed in person at the DMV by the NEW owner (you). California doesn't require either the title or the application to be notarized, but they make it very challenging to do the transaction by mail for out-of-state vehicles (and I would be reluctant to mail a signed title, but that's me.)
If the car is in California, and you are a California resident for voting and tax purposes (and/or the car spends more than 6 months in the state), it should be registered in California. It's the law, though it's loosely enforced in most cities/counties.
CHP is a different story. If you're pulled over on a highway with a CA driver's license and WA plates, and CHP thinks you kept your plates because you can't pass smog, your car can be impounded... at which point, you will abandon it because the fees will be more than it's worth. This is most likely to happen to a car with a modified exhaust or intake system, or an older car that doesn't appear to be running well (smelly/visible exhaust, etc.).
posted by toxic at 3:36 PM on August 7, 2020
The signature on the front of the Washington title releases interest in the car (it basically says "this car isn't mine anymore; whoever holds this document owns this car"). The signatures on the back (buyer and seller) certify the odometer reading.
Washington does not require the title to be notarized. Washington does require that the application for a NEW title be notarized or signed in person at the DMV by the NEW owner (you). California doesn't require either the title or the application to be notarized, but they make it very challenging to do the transaction by mail for out-of-state vehicles (and I would be reluctant to mail a signed title, but that's me.)
If the car is in California, and you are a California resident for voting and tax purposes (and/or the car spends more than 6 months in the state), it should be registered in California. It's the law, though it's loosely enforced in most cities/counties.
CHP is a different story. If you're pulled over on a highway with a CA driver's license and WA plates, and CHP thinks you kept your plates because you can't pass smog, your car can be impounded... at which point, you will abandon it because the fees will be more than it's worth. This is most likely to happen to a car with a modified exhaust or intake system, or an older car that doesn't appear to be running well (smelly/visible exhaust, etc.).
posted by toxic at 3:36 PM on August 7, 2020
It matters what county in Washington the car is going to be registered, the high population density counties require a smog check just like california, so you would have to take the car to Washington anyway. You didn't say whether you were going to live in washington or california. Or if the tags are currently good. Washington sells 3-day temp tags to move vehicles.
If you are registering the car in washington, use one of the private title services, they just get things through the system.
posted by 445supermag at 7:37 AM on August 8, 2020
If you are registering the car in washington, use one of the private title services, they just get things through the system.
posted by 445supermag at 7:37 AM on August 8, 2020
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I did this just last month and it was pretty painless.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 12:41 PM on August 7, 2020