{"data":{"id":"us-wa/rcw-46.16a.020","jurisdiction":"us-wa","citation":"RCW 46.16A.020","heading":"Registration year assigned—Registration month—Registration period—When registration does not expire.","body":"(1) The department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director shall assign a new registration year to a vehicle if:\n(a) The registered ownership of the vehicle is being transferred, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section. The renewed vehicle registration is valid for a full twelve-month period unless: (i) The vehicle changes ownership during the twelve-month period, in which case the registration expires; or (ii) a specific expiration date is required by law, rule, or program; or\n(b) The Washington vehicle registration has expired and the registered owner:\n(i) Is a member of the United States armed forces;\n(ii) Was stationed outside of Washington under military orders during the prior vehicle registration year; and\n(iii) Provides the department a copy of the military orders.\n(2) Each registration year may be divided into twelve registration months. Each registration month begins at 12:01 a.m. on a day of the month assigned by the department and ends at 12:00 a.m. on the same day the following month.\n(3) A registration period extends through the end of the next business day when the final day of a registration year or month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.\n(4) A vehicle registration does not expire when a change in vehicle ownership is the result of one or more of the following circumstances:\n(a) When adding a lienholder to the certificate of title or removing a lienholder from the certificate of title;\n(b) When a vehicle is transferred from one spouse or registered domestic partner to another;\n(c) When removing a deceased spouse or registered domestic partner from the certificate of title;\n(d) When a vehicle is transferred by gift or inheritance to one or more members of the registered owner's immediate family;\n(e) When a vehicle is transferred into or out of a trust in which the registered owner or one or more immediate family members of the registered owner is the beneficiary;\n(f) When a leaseholder buys out the leased vehicle; or\n(g) When a person changes his or her name.","path":["Title 46","Chapter 46.16A"],"source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.16A.020","current_through":"July 15, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T03:03:50Z","sha256":"3423d5860ce8dd35984f5d0912e2d84d918995a3808361eb716708ce7d478dad","source_id":"us-wa","stale":false,"prev":"us-wa/rcw-46.16a.010","next":"us-wa/rcw-46.16a.025"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}