Get a replacement title from the Washington Department of Licensing

If your car title is lost, stolen, or damaged in Washington State, you need to request a duplicate from the Department of Licensing (DOL). This is the only way to get a legal replacement — you cannot get a new title from your county, your insurance company, or your lender.

Washington offers three ways to request a duplicate: by mail, in person at a DOL office, or online through the DOL website. The online method is fastest if your vehicle record is current and you have a valid Washington driver's license or ID. By mail takes about two weeks. In-person service at a licensing office is when ready if you bring the right documents.

The replacement title costs $20 in most cases. If your title was lost due to a disaster (flood, fire, or similar event), you may not pay a fee, but you will need to document the loss.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington's Department of Licensing is the only source for a replacement title — contact them by mail, online, or in person.
  • You will need proof of ownership, proof of identity, and proof of residency; requirements vary slightly by method.
  • Online requests take about one week; mail requests take two to three weeks; in-person service is same-day.
  • If you cannot locate your title before selling or trading in your vehicle, the buyer or dealer can request it on your behalf with your signed consent.
  • A duplicate title is a legal replacement and works the same as an original for all purposes, including sale or refinancing.

What documents you need to request a duplicate title

The documents required depend on whether you explore online, by mail, or in person. All methods require proof that you own the vehicle.

For online requests, you need a valid Washington driver's license or ID number, your vehicle identification number (VIN), and your current vehicle registration number. The system will pull your ownership record from the DOL database. This method works only if your address on file matches your current address and your registration is current.

For mail or in-person requests, you need: a completed process for Duplicate Title (Form TD 100-107), a copy of your driver's license or ID, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days), and proof of ownership. Proof of ownership can be a registration certificate, insurance card, or loan documents showing your name.

If someone else will pick up your replacement title in person, you must sign a power of attorney form (Form TD 100-108) authorizing them to do so. Bring the original signed form with you or mail it with your process.

how the process works online through the DOL website

Go to the Washington Department of Licensing website and select "Order a Duplicate Title" under the vehicle services section. You will need your Washington driver's license or ID number, your VIN, and your vehicle registration number. The system will verify your ownership record in real time.

If your record is found and your address matches, you can complete the request when ready and pay the $20 fee by credit or debit card. The duplicate title will be mailed to the address on file, usually within one week. If your address has changed or your registration is expired, the online system will not process your request — use the mail or in-person method instead.

You will receive a confirmation number when your request is submitted. Keep this number in case you need to check the status of your order.

how the process works by mail to the Department of Licensing

read or request the process for Duplicate Title (Form TD 100-107) from the DOL website or call 360-902-3770. Fill out the form completely, including your name, address, VIN, and vehicle registration number. Sign and date the form.

Gather copies of your driver's license or ID, proof of residency, and proof of ownership. Mail everything to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order for $20 payable to "Washington State Department of Licensing." Do not send cash.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DOL receives your envelope. Mail your request to the address on the form, not to a county office. If you want to track your request, include a phone number or email address on the form.

how the process works in person at a DOL office

Bring your completed process for Duplicate Title (Form TD 100-107), your driver's license or ID, proof of residency, and proof of ownership to any Washington Department of Licensing office. You can find office locations and hours on the DOL website.

The staff will verify your ownership record, collect your documents, and process your request on the spot. You will pay $20 by cash, check, or card. Your duplicate title will be mailed to the address on file within one week, not given to you when ready — even though you applied in person, the title is still printed and mailed by the central office.

In-person service is useful if you need to correct information on your record (such as a name change or address update) at the same time, because staff can help you with both requests together.

What to do if you are selling or trading in your vehicle without the title

If you are selling your car to a private buyer or trading it to a dealer and cannot locate your title before the sale, the buyer or dealer can request the duplicate title on your behalf. You will need to sign a power of attorney form (Form TD 100-108) giving them permission to do so.

Some dealers handle this as part of the sale process and may charge a small fee to cover the DOL cost. Private buyers typically ask you to request the title yourself before closing the sale, because they want to be sure the title is in your name and free of liens.

If your vehicle has an outstanding loan, the lender's name will appear on the title. The lender must sign off on the sale before the new owner can register the vehicle. This is true whether you have the original title or a duplicate.

If your title was damaged, stolen, or lost in a disaster

A damaged title (water-stained, torn, or faded) can be replaced using the same process as a lost title. Submit your damaged title with your process if you have it, or explain the damage in a note with your request.

If your title was stolen, you do not need to report it to police unless you suspect fraud. straightforward request a duplicate through the DOL using the standard process.

If your title was lost in a disaster (flood, fire, earthquake, or similar event), you may not pay the $20 fee. Include a brief explanation of the disaster and the date it occurred with your process. The DOL will waive the fee if the loss is documented.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a replacement title in Washington?

Online requests take about one week. Mail requests take two to three weeks from the date received. In-person applications are processed same-day, but the title is still mailed to your address and arrives within one week. If you need the title urgently, explore in person and ask the staff if they can expedite mailing.

Can I get a duplicate title if I still owe money on the car?

Yes. If you have a loan, the lender's name will appear on the duplicate title just as it did on the original. You cannot remove the lender's name or sell the car without their consent. The duplicate title is a legal replacement and works the same way.

What if my name has changed since the title was issued?

You can request a duplicate title in your current name by providing proof of the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) along with your process. The DOL will issue a title in your new name. Bring the original document or a certified copy if you explore in person.

Do I need the original title to request a duplicate?

No. If your title is lost, you do not need to provide it. If you have the original and it is damaged, you can submit it with your request, but it is not required. The DOL will issue a duplicate based on your ownership record in their system.

Can someone else pick up my duplicate title for me?

If you explore in person, you can authorize someone else to pick up the title by signing a power of attorney form (Form TD 100-108). If you explore by mail or online, the title will be mailed to the address on file in your name, and only you can claim it at the post office if it requires a signature.