WashingtonOwners may sign vehicle transfer papers electronically after insurance payments
Since June 11, 2026, vehicle owners and insurers may use electronic signatures on documents to transfer ownership to an insurer after damages are paid.
What it does
After an insurer pays for vehicle damage, supporting documents to transfer ownership may be signed electronically without a notary and printed on paper.
Argument forOwners and insurers may complete vehicle transfers more easily because they can sign the supporting documents electronically without a notary.
Argument againstOwners could face a greater risk of an unauthorized transfer because the documents can be signed electronically without a notary.
More detail
Supporting documents used to transfer vehicle ownership to an insurer after payment of damages may be signed electronically and printed on paper without notarization. This applies to supporting documents for a transfer to an insurer after payment of damages, including a limited power of attorney. A limited power of attorney must be signed and dated solely to transfer vehicle ownership to the insurer after payment of damages. The law took effect June 11, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 18Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 18Chapter 101, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 18Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 12President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 6Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#17). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 5Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Mar 2Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 27TRAN - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 27Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 2:30 PM.
- Feb 16First reading, referred to Transportation.Minor
- Feb 12Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#7). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 11Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 9Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 5TR - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 5Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:00 PM.
- Feb 2Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 21First reading, referred to Transportation.Introduced
Transportation