Ballard Auto Vessel Licensing Agency — Local services in Seattle

I have a vehicle from out of state that was gifted to me by my father-in-law and I needed to get it titled and registered here in Washington. Called Ballard Licensing and explained about the vehicle, emphasized that it is registered in Oregon and asked what I needed to bring with me to get it titled in Washington. The lady (I won't reveal her name) said "You just need the title and your driver's license. I said "Really? That seems too easy. I thought I had to have a bill of sale for an out of state vehicle." She said "No. You just need your title and driver's license." I actually had a bill of sale but it had gotten wet in my backpack during a rain and the ink was smeared. I knew I could get another one from my father-in-law but it would take several days with the mail from Oregon. Since I was told I didn't need the bill of sale I thought that was great as I wouldn't have to bother him for another one.

The next morning I showed up and waited approximately 20 minutes in line and then it was my turn. I walked up to the clerk, told her I needed to register a vehicle and I had the title and driver's license ready. She said "Is it out of state?' and when I said "Yes" she said "You need a bill of sale". I explained that I had called the day before to ask specifically what I needed to bring to register the vehicle and was told, after asking specifically, that I did not need a bill of sale. She said "Oh no, we wouldn't tell you that." One of her co-workers was at the copy machine nearby and chimed in and said "Oh, yeah, we would never have said that." I didn't tell them the lady's name that I had talked to because I knew that I would still have to provide the bill of sale. Wouldn't have been a huge deal if I had known before I made the trip to their office but I wasted a Saturday morning, stood in line, and got nothing accomplished because I was given bad information, even though I asked the right...

Since I have read too many bad reviews about DOL services, I feel strongly about writing this good one. I went to get my auto title transferred into my name at Ballard. I arrived at around 3:15 p.m. on a Saturday and there was no line (only one group in front of me already being serviced.) The staff member, WANIDA, helped me through the whole process in about 10-12 minutes. I had not filled out the Vehicle Title Application when I arrived, but I didn't need to. She filled it out on the computer for me and I only needed to sign a couple of signatures and that was it. She was polite, patient with my questions, and personable throughout the whole experience. At the end, I got the registration paper and my new plates (with the tabs already affixed on them) and off I went. (The title would follow in the mail in 8-10 weeks.) I paid $2 for an hour of curbside parking near the place in anticipation for the long process, but ended up using less than 1/3 of it. Great work Ballard, and thanks so much WANIDA for your help and friendly attitude. I want to share this to encourage all other DOL places and staff members to raise your bar and match what I experienced today.

A bit of a reminder -- BRING YOUR CHEQUE BOOK to avoid the payment fee. I read some other reviews about the this fee but still forgot about it. If you pay by cheque, there is no fee. If you pay by a debit card, the fee is $2 flat. If you pay by a credit card, the fee STARTS at $2 and go up in tiers based on your payment amount (I read that someone paid like $46 in fees alone at another DOL place.) I think this payment fee has nothing to do with Ballard but set by the DOL itself. So, save yourself from this...

When I moved to Washington I discovered you did not have to wait in long lines at the DMV to register and license your vehicle. I would never have found Ballard Auto/Vessel Licensing otherwise.

This isn't a place you go unless you need to or have to. Let's be honest about that. But it was so refreshing to go there and see someone like Sarah who educated me, guided me through the process and then said I had to return once certain documents came in from my auto leasing company. I did as asked and had to call and ask for clarification. Sarah was out but she called me back - what? actual service and follow through? Remarkable!!

When I came in I had to accept a temporary license but she remembered me. And, she remembered what we were working on together. (We've all been to places like this where you get a new person every time and have to essentially start the process all over again which is so frustrating). On the 3rd visit I received my registration and Washington license plates.

This is not a governmental agency. It is a small business that cares, that is competent and knows what they are doing AND they will follow you thru the process until you are done. It is pain free, reasonable and excellent.

Support small business. Get your licenses here. You don't have to ask for Sarah - everyone I saw was nice and helpful but of course she's who I will ask for when I need to register and license my...