WAC 308-56A-265   Releasing interest.  (1) How does a registered or legal owner release interest in a vehicle? To release interest in a vehicle a registered or legal owner must:

     (a) Sign the release of interest section provided on the certificate of ownership; or

     (b) Provide a release of interest document or form approved by the department.

     (2) Do signatures releasing interest need to be notarized or certified? If the signatures releasing interest are not provided on the certificate of ownership, all signatures must be notarized or certified in accordance with WAC 308-56A-275.

     (3) When are notarized or certified signatures not required on a release of interest? Signatures releasing interest do not need to be notarized or certified when:

     (a) A signature releasing interest is provided on the certificate of ownership issued by the department or another jurisdiction;

     (b) An approved affidavit in lieu of title printed by a lending institution that is authorized by the department to participate in the electronic title program is provided;

     (c) A secured party is releasing interest; and

     (i) The secured party is a business; and

     (ii) Provide a release of interest document or form approved by the department; and

     (iii) Is submitted with the current certificate of ownership;

     (d) A release of interest or bill of sale from the registered owner when the vehicle is from a jurisdiction which does not title this type of vehicle;

     (e) A release of interest or bill of sale from a wrecker or insurance company.

     (4) When is a release of interest not required from a registered owner? A release of interest from the registered owner is not required when:

     (a) The registered owner is identified as a lessee or sublessee on an ownership document.

     (b) The vehicle is awarded to a different owner by legal action.

     (5) What other documentation may be used as a release of interest? Documents that may be used as a release of interest include, but are not limited to:

     (a) Bill of sale;

     (b) Affidavit in lieu of title with the release of interest portion properly completed;

     (c) Letter of release;

     (d) Affidavit of repossession;

     (e) Affidavit of sale on an abandoned vehicle report;

     (f) Chattel or landlord lien form;

     (g) Certificate of junk vehicle form; or

     (h) Other documentation approved by the department.

     These items may be subject to notary requirements.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. 03-08-055, § 308-56A-265, filed 3/31/03, effective 5/1/03; 99-08-065, § 308-56A-265, filed 4/5/99, effective 5/6/99; Order MV 208, § 308-56A-265, filed 7/31/74.]