Kent Licensing Agency Inc. offers Complete Vehicle and Vessel Licensing, Title and Notary Public Services, as well as Pet Licensing.

Vehicle Services

Tab Renewals

Most registered owners or vehicles have to be renewed yearly. There are some that are exempt. You can renew:

  • In person, or
  • Online Renewal You may chose to pick up your renewal at our office or use our same day mail option.

Avoid waiting in line-by renewing online! Tabs are available for pickup at window 6

If you are unable to renew or pick them up yourself, you may designate a relative or a friend to do it for you. Please provide them with written authorization from the registered owner and either your check or cash payment.

Transfer of ownership for Washington vehicles/vessels

To transfer ownership of a vehicle or vessel the registered owner will need the following:

  • Certificate of Ownership (title) properly released by all parties listed, or
  • An Affidavit In Lieu of Title/Release of Interest form (if the Washington Title is lost). Form must be properly filled out, signed and notarized to be valid.
  • Odometer Statement for vehicles 10 years or newer. Both the buyer and seller must sign, print their name and address on the odometer section of the title. Separate odometers forms are available at our office if the title is lost.
  • Bill of Sale. If your vehicle doesn't meet Fair Market Value you may provide one of the following:
    • An estimate of repairs prepared by a registered mechanic.
    • An appraisal prepared by a registered dealer.
    • Documentation from another value source, such as National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) or Kelley Blue Book that cites a lower average fair market value for the vehicle or vessel. The purchase price will be accepted if it is within $2,000 of the value cited by the alternate source. Either photocopies of printed materials or a printout from the Internet are acceptable.
    • A completed Department of Revenue Declaration of Buyer and Seller Regarding Value of Use Vehicle Sold form stating the selling price and condition of the vehicle. Both the buyer and the seller must sign the form. These are subject to review (not intended to be used as a Bill of Sale).

    or

  • Gift letter (if received vehicle as a gift) - State law requires License plates be replaced at the time of each 7-year replacement cycle, no matter what the condition of plate. Vehicles and Vessels may be given as a gift. To qualify, the donor must have previously paid sales or use tax. Proof of the prior taxes is required, as well as a letter of gift if not noted on the title in the proper area.
  • Current Emission Test
  • Current Identification. All parties who wish to be listed on the title must be present.

Title must be transferred within 15 calendar days from the date of purchase. The penalty for incompliance is $25, on 16th day it increases by $2 per day, until it reaches a maximum of $100.

Transfer of ownership out of state vehicles

The registered owner will need the following:

  • Certificate of Ownership (title) properly released by all parties listed
  • Odometer Statement for vehicles 10 years or newer. Both the buyer and seller must sign, print their name and address on the odometer section of the title. Separate odometers forms are available at our office.
  • Bill of Sale. If your vehicle doesn't meet Fair Market Value you may provide one of the following:
    • An estimate of repairs prepared by a registered mechanic.
    • An appraisal prepared by a registered dealer.
    • Documentation from another value source, such as National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) or Kelley Blue Book that cites a lower average fair market value for the vehicle or vessel. The purchase price will be accepted if it is within $2,000 of the value cited by the alternate source. Either photocopies of printed materials or a printout from the Internet are acceptable.
    • A completed Department of Revenue Declaration of Buyer and Seller Regarding Value of Use Vehicle Sold form stating the selling price and condition of the vehicle. Both the buyer and the seller must sign the form. These are subject to review and not to intended to be used as a bill of sale.

    or

  • Gift letter AND proof that sales tax was paid in foreign jurisdiction if the vehicle was recieved as a gift.

    State law requires License plates be replaced at the time of each 7-year replacement cycle, no matter what the condition of plate. Vehicles and Vessels may be given as a gift. To qualify, the donor must have previously paid sales or use tax. Proof of the prior taxes is required, as well as a letter of gift if not noted on the title in the proper area.
  • Empty Scale Weight/Unladen Weight.
  • Current Emissions Test.
  • Current Identification. All parties who wish to be listed on the title must be present.
Out of state owner retained vehicles

You will need the following:

  • Out of state Certificate of Ownership. ( If you are still making payments on the vehicle, you will need to provide a photocopy of the title. It can be faxed to us for your convenience at 253-850-1269).
  • Odometer on vehicles 10 years or newer.
  • Empty Scale Weight/Unladen Weight (if not listed on the title).
  • Current Identification.
  • Current Emissions Test (see the chart for years being tested).
Out of state leased owner retained

You will need the following:

  • Original out of state Certificate of ownership.
  • Odometer disclosure on vehicles 10 years or newer.
  • Empty Scale Weight/Unladen Weight.
  • Current Emissions Test (see the chart for years being tested).
  • Current Identification.
  • Power of Attorney from the Lessor.
  • UBI number for the Lessor (Washington State Business License).
Name change

You will need the following:

Duplicate title
  • Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest form filled out, signed and properly notarized.
  • Title application filled out, signed and notarized by all owners on record.
  • Current Identification

Report Of Sale

Report of sale must be filed within 5 days of the date of sale, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state and federal holidays. Properly completed and filed sellers report protects the seller of the vehicle or vessel from certain criminal and civil liabilities. This can be done online.

You must have:

  • Date of sale and sale price
  • Name and address of seller
  • Name and address of buyer
  • Description of the vehicle or vessel, including VIN or HIN, and plate or registration number.

or

You may mail a completed report of sale to the following address (please include a $5 service fee) or you can file online at www.dol.wa.gov:

Kent Licensing Agency Inc.
331 Washington Ave S
Kent, WA 98032

Incomplete reports and reports not including the mandatory fee will not be processed.

Travel Permits

Trip permits / $30

Trip permits allow vehicle owners to operate their unlicensed vehicles for 3 consecutive days in the State of Washington.

Vehicle is considered unlicensed if the tabs are expired, or the current gross weight license is insufficient for the load being carried. A trip permit must be completed, signed and dated by the vehicle operator before using the vehicle. Any correction or alteration will invalidate the permit.

The State of Washington does not allow exchanges, refunds, or credits on 3 day trip permits.

Transit Permits / $5

Transit permits are valid for two days. The two days do not need to be consecutive. A vehicle transit permit may be used to obtain:

  • Washington State Patrol Inspection;
  • A Scale Weight Slip;
  • Emission Test; OR
  • Any other reasons determined by the Department of Licensing to be necessary

Disabled Parking

Disabled Placards or Plates

Link to an Application for Individual Disabled Placards or Plates

Permanent Disability

Permanent disability privileges must be renewed every 5 years. If a permanent disability is expired for more than 30 days, the individual must provide a new, completed application signed by a licensed physician.

Individuals who qualify for permanent disability have the choice of the following:

  • One placard, or
  • Two placards, or
  • One set of plates, or
  • One set of plates and one placard
Temporary Disability

Individuals who qualify for temporary disability parking privileges are entitled to receive a single placard, which can be valid for up to six months.

Organizations

Link to an Application for Organization

You can check the DOL website for detailed information on Disabled Parking Privileges

Pet Licensing

Our office also provides services for pet licensing. The King County website provides detailed information on requirements and costs associated with licensing your pet. Learn more about requirements and costs associated with licensing tra pet at the King County Pet Licensing website.

Notary Public

Our office also provides Notary Public services at a cost of $10.00 per seal. Please call for an appointment. (253-852-3110)

Important: All appropriate documents must contain notarial certificate. A Notarial Certificate is the language typed on documents that identifies the particular type of notarial act carried out. Click here for examples of Notarial certificates:

Notary is not allowed by state law to choose the certificate for a customer.

Emissions

The Department of Ecology requires Emission Testing on gasoline and diesel vehicles that are Five to Twenty Five years old. Counties in Washinton State that require emissions include Clark County, King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County and Spokane County.

Renewals:

    YEAR

  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2014

    Vehicles that require a test

  • 1987-1995 odd model years
    + 1996-2006 even year model years
  • 1988-1994 even model years
    + 1997-2007 odd model years
  • 1989-1995 odd model years
    + 1996-2008 even year model years
  • 1990-1994 even model years
    + 1997-2009 odd model years

The above chart also applies to out of state vehicles that are being registered in Washington.

Ownership transfers:

A current Washington Emission Test is required for title transfers, unless the transfer is between immediate family members or existing co-owners. (Note: An Emission form is only good for 365 days). This applies to instate or out of state titles.

The Department of Licensing cannot accept Emission Tests from other states. If your vehicle is not in the state at the time of transfer, complete the OUT OF AREA FORM and submit it with your documents.

Diesel Owners: An Emissions test is no longer required for diesel vehicles 2007 and newer or diesel vehicles that weigh less than 6001 pounds. You can find the weight of your vehicle under SCLWT on your registration.

Emission Test Stations Closest To Our Office:

Auburn
3002 A St SE
Auburn, WA 98002
253-939-1225

Renton
805 SW 10th St
Renton WA 98055
425-228-6453

Emission tests are $15, for full list of testing stations click here

Dealer Services

Our dealer services are outstanding!

In addition to having a designated dealer desk, we also have NEXT DAY delivery service. We will pick up and deliver your title work as needed, on your schedule. Our staff is knowledgeable and up to date with dealer requirements and training. We offer full service, from permits to title transfers. We triple check your work and take pride in our efficiency.

Fleet Services

Our office will be glad to assist you with setting up a fleet account for your Company's Vehicles and Equipment. If your business has 6 or more vehicles you may consider a FLEET. All renewals listed on a fleet expire the 31st of December. In the fall, a master sheet listing of all units is mailed out to the customer from the Department Of Licensing. This spreadsheet contains the vehicle information and alerts you about Heavy Use Tax and Emission requirements, and it also provides space for your notations. Once you have determined any changes you may simply fax it to our office and we will price it for you, most often the same day. We will provide you a breakdown cost per unit for your review, and finalize it when you are ready. Renewing all your vehicles this way saves you valuable time and worries.

Registered owners with multiple number of vehicles can apply for a fleet code. There are two types of fleets:

REGULAR FLEET: Must have a minimum of 6 vehicles registered to the same owner.

PERMANENT FLEET: Must have a minimum of 50 vehicles registered to the same owner.

Requirements for both types of fleets:

Registered owners name on record must be IDENTICAL on every vehicle included on the fleet. If the names don't match title is required to set it up on the fleet.

All fleet registrations expire December 31st of every year.