2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 46 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 46.12 - Certificates of Title. › 46.12.675 - Perfection of security interest—Procedure.

RCW 46.12.675
Perfection of security interest—Procedure.
(1) A security interest in a vehicle other than one held as inventory by a manufacturer or a dealer and for which a certificate of title is required is perfected only by:
(a) Complying with the requirements of RCW 46.12.660 or this section;
(b) Receipt by the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director of:
(i) The existing certificate of title, if any;
(ii) An application for a certificate of title containing the name and address of the secured party; and
(iii) Payment of the required fees.
(2) A security interest is perfected when it is created if the secured party's name and address appear on the most recently issued certificate of title or, if not, it is created when the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director receives the certificate of title or an application for a certificate of title and the fees required in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) If a vehicle is subject to a security interest when brought into this state, perfection of the security interest is determined by the law of the jurisdiction where the vehicle was when the security interest was attached, subject to the following:
(a) The security interest continues perfected in this state if the name of the secured party is shown on the existing certificate of title issued by that jurisdiction. The name of the secured party must be shown on the certificate of title issued for the vehicle by this state. The security interest continues perfected in this state when the department issues the certificate of title.
(b) If the security interest was not perfected under the law of the jurisdiction where the vehicle was when the security interest was attached, it may be perfected in this state. Perfection begins when the department receives the information and fees required in subsection (1) of this section.
(4)(a) After a certificate of title has been issued, the registered owner or secured party must apply to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director for a new certificate of title when a security interest is granted on a vehicle. Within ten days after creating a security agreement, the registered owner or secured party must submit:
(i) An application for a certificate of title;
(ii) The certificate of title last issued for the vehicle, or other documentation required by the department; and
(iii) The fee required in RCW 46.17.100.
(b) If satisfied that a certificate of title should be reissued, the department shall change the vehicle record and issue a new certificate of title to the secured party.
(5) A secured party shall release the security interest when the conditions within the security agreement have been met and there is no further secured obligation. The secured party must either:
(a) Assign the certificate of title to the registered owner or the registered owner's designee and send the certificate of title to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director with the fee required in RCW 46.17.100; or
(b) Assign the certificate of title to the person acquiring the vehicle from the registered owner with the registered owner's release of interest.
(6) The department shall issue a new certificate of title to the registered owner when the department receives the release of interest and required fees as provided in subsection (5)(a) of this section.
(7) A secured party is liable for one hundred dollars payable to the registered owner or person acquiring the vehicle from the registered owner when:
(a) The secured party fails to either assign the certificate of title to the registered owner or to the person acquiring the vehicle from the registered owner or apply for a new certificate of title within ten days after proper demand; and
(b) The failure of the secured party to act as described in (a) of this subsection results in a loss to the registered owner or person acquiring the vehicle from the registered owner.
[ 2012 c 74 § 14; 2010 c 161 § 316; 2007 c 96 § 2; 2002 c 352 § 5. Prior: 1997 c 432 § 5; 1997 c 241 § 5; 1994 c 262 § 6; 1979 ex.s. c 113 § 2; 1975 c 25 § 13; 1967 c 140 § 4; 1961 c 12 § 46.12.170; prior: 1951 c 269 § 4; 1947 c 164 § 5; 1939 c 182 § 2; 1937 c 188 § 7; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 6312-7. Formerly RCW 46.12.170.]
NOTES:
Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.
Effective dates—2002 c 352: See note following RCW 46.09.410.
Effective date—1967 c 140: See note following RCW 46.12.520.