# WAC 308-56A-020: WAC 308-56A-020. Application for certificate of ownership required

> Washington · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_020

## Section

- **Citation:** WAC 308-56A-020
- **Heading:** WAC 308-56A-020. Application for certificate of ownership required
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Administrative Code / Title 308 / Chapter 308-56A / Section 308-56A-020

## Text

When is an application for certificate of ownership required? In addition to the requirements set forth in chapter 46.12 and 46.16 RCW an application for certificate of ownership is required when:
(1) There is a change of vehicle ownership on a Washington certificate of ownership due to:
(a) Sale;
(b) Gift-donation;
(c) Inheritance;
(d) Trade;
(e) Addition or deletion of a registered owner;
(f) Proprietorship, partnership or individuals forming a corporation, whether or not the business name is changing;
(g) Proprietorship, partnership or individuals purchasing a corporation which will no longer be operated as a corporation, whether or not the business name is changed;
(h) Court order;
(i) Transferring vehicle to or from a trust;
(j) Repossession; or
(k) Adding/removing a lease on a vehicle.
(2) Applying for registration of a vehicle which has most recently been titled and/or registered in another jurisdiction and only registration is being established in Washington. If the vehicle will remain titled in another jurisdiction, no Washington certificate of ownership will be issued.
(3) There is a name change of the registered owner, whether individual(s) or a business entity.
(4) Adding a lien holder.
(5) The vehicle is assembled, homemade, has had a glider kit installed or is a street rod.
(6) The motorcycle engine has been replaced.
(7) The vehicle identification number needs to be corrected.
(8) The vehicle has been reported as salvage or wrecked by an insurer, owner, or wrecker and new certificate of ownership is requested. Title procedures are in WAC 308-56A-460 .

## Nearby sections

- [WAC 308-56A-006 WAC 308-56A-006. Quick titles — Issuance by subagents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_006.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-010 WAC 308-56A-010. Title purpose only and no title issued](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_010.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-020 WAC 308-56A-020. Application for certificate of ownership required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_020.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-021 WAC 308-56A-021. Assessment criteria for penalty fee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_021.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-024 WAC 308-56A-024. Stolen vehicle check required for certificate of ownership](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_024.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-030 WAC 308-56A-030. Owner name and address—Recorded on the vehicle record—Application for certificate of ownership](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_030.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-040 WAC 308-56A-040. Name and address—Change of address](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_040.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-056 WAC 308-56A-056. Names separated by the words "and," "or," or the slash symbol "/."](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_056.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-060 WAC 308-56A-060. Ownership in joint tenancy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_060.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-065 WAC 308-56A-065. Vehicles held in trust](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_065.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-070 WAC 308-56A-070. Leased vehicles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_070.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-075 WAC 308-56A-075. Multiple legal owners](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_075.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-110 WAC 308-56A-110. New vehicles—Manufacturer's statement/certificate of origin](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_110.md)
- [WAC 308-56A-115 WAC 308-56A-115. Vehicles from a state or country other than Washington](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_115.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_020. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.