The Repossession Affidavit is the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) form that lienholders use to report the repossession of a vehicle or vessel. The legal owner, or a representative of the financial institution, declares under penalty of perjury that the vehicle or vessel is now in its possession because of a default on a security agreement. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The original is published by the DOL at dol.wa.gov, and the completed form is taken to a vehicle licensing office together with a title application.
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What is TD-420-042?
The Repossession Affidavit is the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) form on which a lienholder reports that it has repossessed a vehicle or vessel and states, under penalty of perjury, that it is the legal owner of the property.
The affidavit identifies the vehicle or vessel (license plate or registration number, vehicle identification number (VIN) or hull identification number (HIN), model year, make and model). It names the person signing, any title or position, and the company or corporation and its address. It then records the date of the repossession and the name and address of the registered owner from whom the vehicle or vessel was repossessed. The printed text says the legal owners now hold the property because of a default on a security agreement and that they repossessed it legally.
The form does not transfer ownership by itself. It states that a transfer of ownership is attached, either a Vehicle Title Application or a Vessel Title Application, based on the repossession. Both are taken together to a vehicle licensing office.
The form also has a Notarization/Certification block. A notary can complete it, or a Washington vehicle licensing agent can certify the signature when you sign in front of the agent. The revision printed at the bottom of the form is TD-420-042 (R/8/18)WA.
Who needs to file TD-420-042?
Lienholders use this form. According to the DOL, a lienholder who repossesses a vehicle or vessel completes the Repossession Affidavit to report the repossession.
- The legal owner of the vehicle or vessel, or a financial institution representative, makes the declaration and signs. The form asks for that person's name and, if applicable, title or position.
- A company or corporation completes the section that asks for the name of the company or corporation and its address, when the repossession is made on its behalf.
- The vehicle or vessel must be in the legal owner's possession because of a default on a security agreement. The form states that the legal owners repossessed it legally.
The form is for reporting a repossession and is submitted with a Vehicle Title Application or a Vessel Title Application. It does not replace either application. The signer may use a notary, or may sign in front of a Washington vehicle licensing agent who can certify the signature.
When to file TD-420-042
Complete the Repossession Affidavit after the vehicle or vessel has been repossessed, because the form states the date of repossession and says the property is already in the legal owner's possession. It is submitted together with the Vehicle Title Application or Vessel Title Application, so it is brought to a vehicle licensing office whenever that title application is made. The form prints no separate deadline.
Sign it only when you are ready to have the signature notarized, or when you will be in front of a Washington vehicle licensing agent who can certify it. The form has a place for the date and place (city or county) where it was signed.
Documents you need
- Vehicle Title Application, attached to the affidavit when the repossessed property is a vehicle; the form states a transfer of ownership is attached.
- Vessel Title Application, attached to the affidavit when the repossessed property is a vessel, in place of the Vehicle Title Application.
- Notarization or certification of your signature: a notary completes the Notarization/Certification block, unless you sign in front of a Washington vehicle licensing agent, who can certify the signature.
How to fill out TD-420-042
Enter the vehicle or vessel details
Under Vehicle/Vessel information, enter the license plate or registration number and the vehicle identification number (VIN) or hull identification number (HIN). Then enter the model year, make and model.
Identify the legal owner signing
In the declaration, enter the name of the legal owner or financial institution representative, and the title or position if applicable.
Add company name and address
Enter the name of the company or corporation, if applicable, and the individual, company or corporation address in the "located at" line.
Record the repossession date
Enter the date of repossession where the form says the vehicle or vessel was legally repossessed.
Name the registered owner
Enter the name of the registered owner and the address of the registered owner from which the vehicle or vessel was repossessed.
Confirm the attached title application
The form states that a transfer of ownership is attached. Prepare a Vehicle Title Application or a Vessel Title Application to take with the affidavit.
Print, sign and date
Print the completed form and sign it. Enter the date and place (city or county) signed next to the signature of the legal owner or financial institution representative.
Complete the notarization or certification
A notary or a Washington vehicle licensing agent completes the block: State, County, date and name of person signing, seal or stamp, signature, printed name, title, and notary expiration date or dealer or county/office number.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the VIN or HIN, the dates and the names, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit TD-420-042
Take the completed Repossession Affidavit and a Vehicle Title Application or Vessel Title Application to any vehicle licensing office in Washington. The DOL form states this as the way to submit it, and it names no other channel.
- In person at a vehicle licensing office: bring the printed, completed and signed affidavit together with the title application that matches your property (Vehicle Title Application for a vehicle, Vessel Title Application for a vessel).
- Signature certification: you do not need your signature notarized if you sign in front of a Washington vehicle licensing agent, who can certify it. In that case the agent completes the Notarization/Certification block.
- Notary: if you do not sign before an agent, have the signature notarized and make sure the notary fills in the State, County, date, name of the person signing, seal or stamp, signature, printed name and expiration date.
The DOL says its forms are free to get. The form does not describe any other charge, so ask the licensing office about costs of the title application. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Taking the affidavit to a vehicle licensing office without the Vehicle Title Application or Vessel Title Application that the form says is attached.
- Signing the affidavit without a notary or a Washington vehicle licensing agent present, leaving the Notarization/Certification block unfinished.
- Leaving out the VIN or HIN, or entering a VIN for a vessel instead of its hull identification number.
- Omitting the date of repossession or the name and address of the registered owner from whom the property was repossessed.
- Leaving the date and place (city or county) signed blank next to the signature.
- Submitting the form unsigned: the form says to print the completed form and sign it.
- Using a Vehicle Title Application for a vessel, or a Vessel Title Application for a vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
What is a repossession affidavit in Washington?
It is the Washington State Department of Licensing form, TD-420-042, that lienholders use to report the repossession of a vehicle or vessel. The signer declares under penalty of perjury that the legal owners hold the property because of a default on a security agreement.
Who uses the Repossession Affidavit?
Lienholders use it. The legal owner or a financial institution representative completes and signs it, giving a title or position and a company name and address where applicable, for a vehicle or vessel that was repossessed.
What do I take with the Repossession Affidavit?
Take the completed form and a Vehicle Title Application or Vessel Title Application to any vehicle licensing office. The affidavit states that a transfer of ownership is attached, based on the repossession.
Does the Repossession Affidavit need to be notarized?
Your signature needs notarization or certification. You do not need a notary if you sign in front of a Washington vehicle licensing agent, who can certify your signature. Otherwise a notary completes the Notarization/Certification block.
Can I fill out the Repossession Affidavit online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the DOL and does not file the affidavit; you take the signed form and title application to a vehicle licensing office.
Is there a deadline to file the Repossession Affidavit?
The form prints no deadline of its own. It goes with the Vehicle Title Application or Vessel Title Application, so it is submitted when you make that application at a vehicle licensing office.
Can I use this form for a boat?
Yes. The form covers vehicles and vessels. For a vessel, enter the registration number and the hull identification number (HIN), and attach a Vessel Title Application.
Is there a fee to get the Repossession Affidavit?
The DOL says all of its forms are free. The affidavit itself prints no fee, so ask the vehicle licensing office about any cost of the title application you submit with it.
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