# WAC 308-56A-021: WAC 308-56A-021. Assessment criteria for penalty fee > Washington · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_56A_021 ## Section - **Citation:** WAC 308-56A-021 - **Heading:** WAC 308-56A-021. Assessment criteria for penalty fee - **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-021 ## Text (1) What is the penalty fee? When a used Washington registered vehicle is sold, the purchaser has fifteen days from the date of delivery of the vehicle to transfer the vehicle ownership into their name. If they wait until the 16th day or later from the date of delivery, a penalty fee may be assessed as described in RCW 46.16.101 (6) unless the purchaser qualifies for exemption from penalty as set forth in subsection (2) of this section. (2) Are there exceptions to when a penalty fee may be assessed when applying for certificate of ownership on the 16th day from the date of sale or later as described in RCW 46.12.101 (6)? Yes, if: (a) The vehicle was delivered to the purchaser after the date of sale indicated on the supporting documents; or (b) There are conflicting dates on supporting documents; or (c) There is no date on the certificate of ownership or other supporting documents; or (d) The date on the certificate of ownership has been altered; or (e) The purchaser is incarcerated or sequestered by a judiciary system; or (f) The purchaser files a seller's report of sale thinking they have filed an application to transfer certificate of ownership; or (g) The purchaser of a vehicle sells it before transferring ownership into their name and the new purchaser can prove they purchased the vehicle within fifteen days of making application; or (h) The director, or their designee, determines other reasons are valid; or (i) The delay in making application is due to the department requesting additional supporting documents; or (j) Extended hospitalization or illness of the purchaser; or (k) Failure of the legal owner to release his or her interest in the vehicle; or e they purchased the vehicle within fifteen days of making application; or (h) The director, or their designee, determines other reasons are valid; or (i) The delay in making application is due to the department requesting additional supporting documents; or (j) Extended hospitalization or illness of the purchaser; or (k) Failure of the legal owner to release his or her interest in the vehicle; or (l) Failure due to an action of the department, auditor or subagent. Note: When an exception to the penalty fee requirement is made, an affidavit attesting to the actual date of delivery and the reason or reasons for exception to the penalty is required. (3) When are penalty fees for late application for certificate of ownership not assessed? Penalty fees are not assessed for late application for certificate of ownership under the following conditions: (a) The vehicle is not motorized; or (b) The vehicle is sold by a Washington dealer (dealer report of sale box on the application is completed); or (c) A Washington record cannot be found; or (d) Department of licensing records indicate the vehicle has been destroyed; or (e) The vehicle is being titled as home made or assembled for the first time; or (f) The vehicle is acquired as a result of: (i) Inheritance or community property; or (ii) Divorce settlement; or (iii) Other legal action affecting ownership of the vehicle; or (iv) Lease buyout; or (g) The vehicle is a snowmobile; or (h) The director, or designee, determines other reasons are valid. ## 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_021. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.