When you transfer a vehicle in the State of Washington you need to complete the odometer reading on the front of the vehicle’s Certificate of Title, in the Assignment by Registered Owner section, for all vehicles model year 2011 or newer, self-propelled, and below 16,000 pounds. On older titles you will find the instruction to complete the odometer reading if the vehicle is less than 10 years old but this rule is no longer valid so please ignore it.
In the State of Washington these vehicles are exempt from odometer reading: all vehicles model year 2010 or older, all vehicles over 16,000 lbs., non-motorized vehicles (trailer-type), low-speed vehicles (LSV), mopeds, and scooters.
If you don’t have the Vehicle Title, you can get an Odometer Disclosure form at your local vehicle licensing office. However this secure form is printed on tamper proof paper and unfortunately can’t be downloaded (see details below).
Particularly if you purchase a vehicle from a licensed dealer from Washington state, the dealer will transfer the ownership into your name for you.
Please note that you must take an odometer reading in any private transaction, including to a family member.
More about the Odometer Disclosure Statement Form
So for a used vehicle, in a private transaction, you need the certification of the odometer mileage on the title (when it’s signed over) for a vehicle model year 2011 or newer, self-propelled, and below 16,000 pounds. Remember to never buy a vehicle without receiving the title signed by the previous owner with the odometer statement filled out!
Even though in the state of Washington a separate Disclosure Statement is not required you can find one below, for your peace of mind. Moreover we strongly recommend when you sell a vehicle to fill out an optional Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement form. By filling this optional federal form and a copy of the assigned title you are able to keep the odometer disclosure record and prevent future claims from the buyer.
Besides in the case you don’t have the vehicle title anymore for a vehicle that is a model year 2011 or newer you need to obtain a hard copy of a secure Washington Odometer Disclosure Statement. This form is printed on tamperproof paper and to obtain one you can visit a Washington Vehicle Licensing Office near you, or call: 360.902.3770.
Washington Odometer Disclosure Statement Federal
Below you can find the optional federal fillable PDF form for your use in the state of Washington.
The Washington Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement form contains three sections. Below you get exact instructions how to fill out this generic form:
Section 1
The first section includes the full name of the seller. So the name must pe PRINTED. This means to use only Capital Letters to write SELLER’S NAME. Then complete all the vehicle details starting with the current odometer reading. If the odometer reading is in excess of the mechanical limits of the odometer or is not the actual mileage please check the corresponding box:
Section 2
In the second section fill out the Seller (Transferor) Information. Here include the seller’s signature, name (write SELLER’S NAME using only Capital Letters), and address:
Section 3:
At the third section fill out the Buyer (Transferee) Information. First complete the buyer’s signature and name. Please write BUYER’S NAME using only Capital Letters. Lastly complete buyer’s address, and date of certification:
In Washington you can fill out the optional Washington Odometer Disclosure Statement Form.
If you want to know how to get an exact odometer reading you can find all the details here: Reading the Odometer – How to read an Odometer.
Tip: to complete the optional Washington Odometer Disclosure Statement Form on your device (computer / phone / tablet) open this PDF form in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Furthermore you can also fill out the form by hand. However don’t forget to use a pen with blue or black ink and not a pencil!
How to fill out the Odometer Disclosure Statement
When you complete the odometer reading in the Assignment by Registered Owner section found on the front of the Washington Certificate of Title you need to fill out the next details. Please remember to always use a pen with black or blue ink and not a pencil. Also be careful because any alterations or erasures will void the title! Therefore before you start to write on the title, read carefully all the instructions in advance.
First complete the signature(s) of the Legal Owner (seller or transferor) and the signing date. In most vehicle transactions you only need to sign here to release all interest in the vehicle. However in a financing agreement, the Legal Owner is also the individual or entity that provides the financing, if applicable.
Next, only if it’s the case, complete also the signature(s) of the Registered Owner and the signing date. The Registered Owner is the individual or entity listed in government records. In a financing agreement the Registered Owner is the individual or entity who benefits from financing and pays for the vehicle. Also the Registered Owner is responsible to be complaint with vehicle laws and regulations.
Next the seller certifies and completes the current odometer reading. Please use here only digits without tenths. On some older titles you will find the instruction to complete if the vehicle is less than 10 years old but this rule is no longer valid. Next complete the transfer date. After that the seller usually checks the first box if the odometer reading is the actual mileage of the vehicle. If not the seller may check the second box only if the Odometer reading entered is in EXCESS of the odometer’s mechanical limits. Or the seller may check the third box only if the Odometer reading entered is NOT the actual mileage.
After that complete transferee’s or buyer’s signature, PRINTED NAME, and address, city, state and ZIP code.
Finally complete transferor’s or seller’s signature, PRINTED NAME, and address, city, state and ZIP code. Please complete SELLER’S PRINTED NAME exactly as it appears on the title:
Odometer Fraud in Washington
If you suspect your vehicle’s odometer has been tampered with please try first to find a solution with the seller. If you cannot find a solution you can contact the Office of the Attorney General by phone at 206.464.6684. You may also submit here an Online Complaint Form.
Find more information about the Washington State Department of Licensing
For more information go to Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
With a strong commitment to great service, Washington State Department of Licensing advances public safety and consumer protection. Correspondingly it does that through licensing, regulation and education. It also collects revenue that supports the state’s transportation system.