Vehicle and Vessel Licensing
Service Changes
The King County Licensing Office, located in the King County Administration Building in downtown Seattle, is closed to walk-in service. The office will re-open in a new location later this year. Please see the "How Do I..." section below for services available online. Licensing staff are available by phone at 206-477-4000.
License subagents, which are independent small businesses, set their own policies for walk-in service. Please call ahead before visiting a subagent office.
Need to license your car, truck, or boat? Or renew registration and tabs? King County partners with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) to issue and renew vehicle and vessel licenses. Through this partnership, King County also contracts with local businesses, called subagents, to offer convenient locations to conduct in-person licensing. Need even more convenient options? Visit dol.wa.gov to see the services that are offered online.
The exact amount of your vehicle title and registration fees depend on several factors:
- Vehicle type
- Vehicle weight
- Where you live
- License plate type
How Do I...
- Renew tabs
- Fees, taxes, and donations
- Note: emissions tests are no longer required in Washington before renewing tabs
