PDFWAC 308-56A-040

Name and address—Change of address.

(1) If the registered owner's address changes, does the owner need to notify the department?
Yes.
(2) What information do registered owners need to provide to the department if their address changes?
The owner must provide to the department:
(a) The registered owner's name (natural person or business) as it appears on the vehicle record(s);
(b) The license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN) of each vehicle; and
(c) The street address for the primary residence and a separate mailing address if different from the primary residence address as defined in WAC 308-56A-030(2). The address must include a five digit zip code or the nine digit zip code if known.
(3) Who may file an address change or correction?
(a) The registered owner of the vehicle; or
(b) A public official, governmental agency, or taxing authority when proof of disputed residence is established; or
(c) A contractor who verifies or supplies correct addresses obtained from a public official or governmental agency.
This section does not relieve the registered owner of the responsibility to notify the department of an address change.
(4) Are there exceptions to the requirement to provide a primary residence street address on the department's change of address form?
Yes. Registered owners must meet one of the exceptions in WAC 308-56A-030(4) and complete and sign a form developed by the department indicating which exception they meet.
(5) Does the address need to conform to United States Postal Service (USPS) standards?
Yes. USPS address standards must be used on all vehicle records, registrations, and certificates of ownership.
(6) When is the registered owner required to certify the truth of the address information provided?
The registered owner is required to complete and sign a declaration under penalty of perjury if the department receives notice that there may be an error in the address information provided for the vehicle record. These records will be flagged to require the declaration be submitted before any transactions can be processed on that record.
(7) What is the penalty if the applicant or registered owner provides false address information when changing an address?
A person providing false address information is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable by a fine of five hundred twenty-nine dollars.
(8) Is my residence address subject to public disclosure?
The department of licensing complies with statutory standards for disclosure set out in chapter 46.12 RCW and the Driver's Privacy Protection Act set out in 18 U.S.C. Secs. 2721-2725.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. WSR 09-24-038, § 308-56A-040, filed 11/24/09, effective 12/25/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.16.010. WSR 05-23-135, § 308-56A-040, filed 11/22/05, effective 1/3/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. WSR 04-07-168, § 308-56A-040, filed 3/23/04, effective 4/23/04; WSR 03-05-081, § 308-56A-040, filed 2/19/03, effective 3/22/03; WSR 99-01-014, § 308-56A-040, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99; WSR 92-15-024, § 308-56A-040, filed 7/6/92, effective 8/6/92; Order MV 208, § 308-56A-040, filed 7/31/74.]