Wash. Admin. Code § 308-96A-096

Current through Register Vol. 25-01, January 1, 2025

Section 308-96A-096 - Registration requirements

(1)What is required when registering a vehicle in Washington?

(a) The name of each registered owner (natural person or business) of the vehicle and, if the vehicle is subject to a lien or other security interest, the name of each secured party;

(b) The registered owner's primary residence street address a mailing address if different from the residence address can also be given);

(c) The primary secured party's mailing address; and

(d) When initially registering the vehicle, each registered owner who is a natural person must meet one of the following requirements:

(i) Present an unexpired Washington state driver's license; or

(ii) Certify that he or she is:

(A) A Washington resident who does not operate a motor vehicle on public roads; or

(B) Exempt from the requirement to obtain a Washington state driver's license under RCW 46.20.025; or

(iii) Provide evidence that, in the department's view, satisfactorily demonstrates a valid and compelling reason for not being able to meet this requirement.

(2) For purposes of this section, "present" means:

(a) If registering in person, to bring and display the unexpired Washington state driver's license to the department or its agents and subagents and for each additional registered owner who is a natural person shown on the vehicle record, a photocopy of, or to provide in writing, the license number and expiration date from an unexpired Washington state driver's license.

(b) If registering by mail, to provide in writing the license number and expiration date from an unexpired Washington state driver's license.

(3) For purposes of this section, "valid and compelling" reasons include:

(a) Driving privilege has been withdrawn by the department or a court.

(b) A co-owner is not available. Circumstances to include, but not be limited to, being incarcerated or out-of-state due to work assignment or personal need.

(c) A co-owner is deceased.

(d) Persons who are divorced and the registered owner awarded the vehicle presents a divorce decree showing the vehicle was awarded to them.

(e) Active military stationed in a foreign country or otherwise not available to provide the information.

(f) Military personnel who are at least sixteen years of age, including a spouse or dependent, who have in their immediate possession a valid driver's license issued by the jurisdiction designated as their home of record.

(g) Other reasons determined by the director or his or her designee to be valid and compelling.

(4) For purposes of this section, a "natural person" may be a resident of this state even though that person has or claims residency in another state or intends to leave this state at some future time. The department will presume a natural person is a resident if he or she meets at least two of the following conditions :

(a) Maintains a residence in this state for personal use;

(b) Has a Washington state driver's license or a Washington state resident hunting or fishing license;

(c) Uses a Washington state address for federal income tax or state tax purposes;

(d) Has previously maintained a residence in this state for personal use and has not established a permanent residence outside the state of Washington (for example, a person who retires and lives in a motor home or vessel which is not permanently attached to any property);

(e) Claims this state as residence for obtaining eligibility to hold a public office or for judicial actions;

(f) Is a custodial parent with a child attending public school in this state;

(g) The department may consider factors other than those listed in this subsection to determine that a person intends to be located in or be a resident of this state. However, the department may not consider those factors alone to presume residency.

(5) A natural person who is a resident of Washington may not form a corporation, trust or other entity in another jurisdiction for the purpose of evading Washington vehicle registration.

Wash. Admin. Code § 308-96A-096

Amended by WSR 14-21-003, Filed 10/1/2014, effective 11/1/2014

Statutory Authority: RCW 46.16.010. 06-17-033, § 308-96A-096, filed 8/8/06, effective 9/8/06; 05-23-135, § 308-96A-096, filed 11/22/05, effective 1/3/06.