Georgetown License Agency

Prior to moving to Seattle, I called a few licensing agency offices to figure out the process to register our foreign vehicle. This was the only office that answered the phone, and took the time to give us all the information that we needed.
Since this location had shown competence on the phone, we went out of our way to register our vehicle here. I visited this location at noon on a Thursday. We spoke with an agent immediately. Within 30 minutes, there were about 5 people in line.
Our vehicle registration was complicated since we were registering a Canadian vehicle in the USA for the first time. The representative was patient, and didn’t hesitate to ask her manager whenever she needed clarification. I would recommend this location to anyone registering a Canadian vehicle in Seattle.

This is the kind of service one expects when an institution has a monopoly on a government service.

Difficult to work with. The person serving me was completely confused about the process I needed to go through. She misspelled my name more than once on the paperwork and I had to correct her.

This place really made a turn around. They still are a little slow and talk with a line out the door but the customer service has really improved, maybe it is because they have new, younger people working there. Now if we can get them to move a little faster and stop talking…

Marsha is a GREAT manager! Extremely helpful and kind. I will continue to use this DMV satellite for all my business.

Worst. Experience. Ever.
I honestly think her deal is she tries to make things harder on everyone.

Easiest and best experience at the DMV ever! So glad, the staff here was so friendly and helpful, I was in and out in ten minutes! Thank you for the great assistance!

Let’s face it. It’s never going to be a fun experience to visit a licensing agency to get your tabs renewed, or to replace a lost title, or to handle any other paperwork related to cars. Somehow, the folks at Georgetown License find a way to go that extra step to make the experience even more unpleasant than it has to be. The clerks behind the counter combine that extra touch of contempt in their voices with a condescending manner to make a visit to Georgetown License memorable.
My visits are infrequent enough that I forget this sometimes and that’s why I went there yesterday morning to run an errand. With a better memory I would have gone somewhere else. When I walked in, each clerk was serving a customer and there was no one else in the place but me. It seemed pointless to take a number in that situation, so I didn’t. When my turn came, I was still the only customer in the store, and the clerk called out «Thirteen». I told her that I hadn’t taken a number. Here is where the folks at Georgetown License distinguish themselves. She might have said «How can I help you?» or «Let me get started on your paperwork while you grab a number.» Or «I’m sorry, sir, we only serve customers who have taken a number.» What she said was «Thirteen!» with a special smirk that I’m sure is reserved for just this situation. As I turned to go back to the number dispensing machine, a young couple walked in, took number 13 and were served ahead of me. It’s bad enough to be treated like a number rather than a person, but I had to take a number just to be treated that badly.
There are a lot of alternatives to this place. For myself, I rate this place «Avoid» and for the future will let one of its many competitors handle my limited needs for vehicle paperwork.

First I am from So Calif and the DMV there is horrible, so I am generally happy going to the DOL here in Washington. This branch though is bad. There are two trolls that work there and they cannot seem to have both working at the same time for aany length of time.
When I say trolls, I mean trolls.
Neither are friendly or helpful to most people and I always have a longer wait here. I would gladly go to the Kent office but this one is closer and I always get my hopes up thinking it will be better this time, and always let down.
If you can go to another office do so.

Horrible, Horrible, Horrible Service! Beware!!!
When I got there I was the fifth person in line. Didn’t think that would be an issue since there were two ladies working the windows. Soon after the one lady was done, she left the office, leaving only one to help the dozen waiting. Once it was my turn, the person helping was rude and stupid. I gave her my estimates receipt of repairs and she couldn’t figure out how to add all the difference things that needed to be done. Felt like she thought I was lying about the repairs. She even made a comment that Les Schwab (very reputable company) should have laid out the estimate better. I think a 3^rd grader could have figure it out! Really!!! So what should have been a quick process ended up being a long one and when I left I got a lot a comments and dirty looks as if it were my fault. I will NEVER go there again. I’ll go back to West Seattle Licensing thank you!
P. S. Like Mark P (below), I came prepared and laid out everything for her (the older lady) but that didn’t help apparently. Like I said STUPID.

Unpleasant experience all around at this location. I arrived early and with all necessary paperwork that I knew I needed (and then some – just in case). There was, thankfully, little waiting involved as just a few people were there and 2 women were working the counters. So far so good.
Things went downhill with the lady at the counter, who was extremely condescending about the entire process. This got worse when I was suddenly asked to explain the price I paid for the vehicle. Considering I paid fair market value for the car, I was clearly confused and started offering up receipts of repairs I had performed, the mileage of the car (which I was informed in a almost hostile manner, didn’t matter), ect. These were not sufficient, and a condescending explanation of car value resulted – they were classifying the car as being worth over 3k more than I had paid. I was then informed that it was MY responsibility to submit evidence and dispute what they consider to be the value of the car. I was given the options of getting in touch with the original seller and acquiring a list of repairs and their values, or print out a different value from a reputable source.
So I went with the latter and printed out values from both KBB and NADA – industry standards and the sources I used before I even bought the car.
Armed with the required data, I returned roughly 10 minutes later, but the place was a little busier and only 1 woman was working. Still, there was just 1 person ahead of me and they were about to be helped. In the course of waiting, 2 other people came in – making 4 people waiting total. When the last person walked in she mentioned to no one in particular about hoping people were taking tickets. Everyone in line kind of looked at each other – the person in front of me, and myself, had not – we were the only ones and were obviously standing in line; the 2 people behind us had grabbed some. And that meant suddenly myself and the fellow in front of me moved to the back of the line. Now, I know you’re supposed to take a ticket – I was just in the office, but realistically who takes a number when they’re the only ones in line? It’s wasteful and serves no point – it was painfully clear we were 2 people standing in line, and it was clear we were 4 people standing in line when the others arrived.
The person waiting in front of me ONLY got to be seen next because the person who was waiting behind me knew he and I had been waiting and swapped tickets with him – otherwise he would’ve been dead last in line.
When the other lady came back, she called for the next number and the last person who had entered went up. The person behind me was clearly confused as well and I made a comment about guessing that’s how that worked. When the person who was behind me spoke up about my having been waiting and how they had been waiting, the other lady at the counter piped up about us just being sour grapes because we didn’t get tickets right away. (I do not recall the exact phrase – but that was what was being implied). I was helped next as the person who had been waiting behind me allowed me to go first (which I am very thankful for). A patronizing repeat of my earlier conversation ensued with the other woman now helping me – but I was armed with the documentation to ‘prove’ the value they were assessing was outrageously inflated.
I will NOT be using this office ever again. I would also strongly urge everyone transferring a title to print out KBB or NADA values on their vehicles to avoid overpaying on taxes. My car was independently valued by them at over 5k. KBB/​NADA valued it at no higher than 3k – and I couldn’t find anything that assessed it any higher than that. Had I not disputed their self-​assigned value (which no one could tell me anything about), it means the taxes I paid would’ve been DOUBLE.

This Georgetown agency for the state has a bad reputation already, but I have tolerated and used patience as it is close to my work location and I put up with the two sour puss older large women who have worked at this business for years, Today one of the heavy set women with long stringy grey/​black hair went out of her way to be rude to me, it really is pathetic that these women hate their jobs (and life?) so much they go out of their way to ridicule and embarrass someone. Nope, I ain’t going to take it, I will not go to this state agency any more and not let these women spoil my day. By the way I am always prepared with my documentation, ID and paper work.

Don’t do it! Go anywhere else
I think 99% of the population would have to work very hard to find the combination of unfriendly and unhelpful attitude — combined with molasses like speed that is sure to greet you here. Interrogation at a Turkish prison is preferred

Okay people. Let’s keep in mind that this process is a one time a year and often painful process.
You don’t come to the Licensing or DOL without knowing you must bring your patience for who you are dealing with.
The truly best way to deal with any of this is to do it online. Renew your license & your tabs online. Please. I only came in person because I had to get an emission and I knew that it was better off to just come and get them vs. trying to wait for the online to mail to me.
I also hate how they love to tell you your tabs expired on ‘day’s of the month vs. the entire month. My tabs say «February» therefore I assume it’s ALL of February. Anyway, back to the story.
I arrived around 11:45 on a Wednesday afternoon. The line was to the door and I was dreading it based on the other reviewers. Reality was that there were 2 clerks and 2 folks being helped at the counter. There were a total of about 3 people waiting in line in front of me. Small lobby so I can see how it could quickly pile up.
The issues isn’t all with the people working there. It’s with the people bringing their PROBLEMS to the licensing place.
For example — first guy to step up had some sort of transferring his tabs from a personal to professional but didn’t have his paperwork. So then it required all this questioning and trying to get him the answer he needed.
Then second guy — he had to tell the whole place about getting a ticket from the WSP and how he didn’t ‘realize’ his tabs were expired and he’s having a bad day. Not my problem guy. Move it along. Pay or move out of the way. Naturally, he didn’t have his correct paperwork and was arguing with the ladies behind the counter. There are signs everywhere that say what you must have and if you don’t have it, don’t waste people’s time.
The final third guy ahead of me got his tabs done pretty quickly because shocker — he had his paperwork. The lady working the second counter I have no idea what her issue was as the lady who helped us moved along 4 people in the time it took her to try to help the lady with the sketchy looking hair.
When it was FINALLY my turn, the guy with the ticket had returned. He decided he HAD his paperwork and he wanted to cut in line. Thankfully the lady behind the counter made him wait because a) that’s how it should be — you stepped out of line and b) you don’t cut the pregnant lady who’s been waiting patiently to get her tabs. It was seriously the rudest thing I’ve experienced in a long time. He totally deserved that $ 260 ticket from WSP.
They have signs everywhere letting you know that they automatically add a $ 5 park fee to every tab renewal and you must verbally tell them to opt out. I chose to do this since they already tack on $ 40 worth of ‘random’ fees for being a Seattle resident (buses, etc etc).
What annoyed me is that they don’t take Visa. She was so quick and happy to tell me they take every other card (including Amex) but no Visa. So I had to use my debit card (which totally blows) as they all get charged a «$ 2+» fee but instead my checking account gets whacked instead of me earning points for this stupid $ 100+ fee.
In the end, I was in and out in about 12 mins which isn’t so bad considering how it could’ve been. But their cell reception is horrible and I had none the entire time as well as the whole «Non-​Visa» thing was strange.
I strongly suggest you just go online and save yourself the hassle and all the extra fees they tack on for being a ‘licensing’ agency.
But if you do go, please be kind to those around you and have your crap together. Paperwork or license plate or whatever else you need to get serviced. No one wants to hear your sob story or have to wait longer because you can’t figure out to license your car.

Yes, it’s a licensing outlet. I’m pretty good at doing things their preferred way, so I rarely get yelled at, but I’ve seen others served quite harshly. I never can understand why these places are so chronically understaffed and super slow. Sadly, the only licensing agency that I know as being great is way up on north Aurora.

horrible! why didn’t I read the reviews before subjecting myself to this place? there are two women on duty, and only one is attending to the line that is practically snaking out the door. the other woman is just fiddling around on the computer. so stupid. customers first!
eventually she stopped doing what she was doing and helped the long line that going out the door. and she was super sweet. but seriously, customers first!
whatever. ugh.

I experienced some of the same things others with have with this agency. When I got there, there was a line of about 6 people clear back to the door. There was only one lady working the counter and she was moving so… slow. She was chatting with everyone that came up to the counter, which isn’t a problem because you want to be personable and provide good customer service. However, you can be personable and keep the line moving.
By the time I got up to the counter another lady opened her window and the first lady took off to lunch or a break. The lady that assisted me did an ok job. However, she didn’t take the time to explain to me that she was going to have to charge me an extra fee for relocating from Snohomish to King County (higher tax bracket). It took a full 30 minutes for me to up to the counter for a less than 10 minute transaction. Thank goodness I wasn’t in a hurry.
Moral of the story: If you don’t mind a somewhat unprofessional, slow paced licensing agency, then this is the place for you.

I was a tiny bit anxious, after reading all the crap reviews, but I actually had a relatively good experience. I was already in a mood, and some lady just beat me to the line, along with her 4 annoying children. I ended up about 5^th in line, and there was only one lady helping ppl. I was in an out in under 15 mins., and she was nice.
And in case thise is all you read about this place, know that they do not do driver licenses, but they at least do registration and handicap placards.

On one of the busiest days of the month for registrations– the day after Labor Day– the line was about 10 deep, and the lady behind the counter was taking 10 minutes to explain– in excruitating detail– to the man why he should do blah, blah, blah to save himself $ 800 in fees.
While I appreciate the sentiment, that they seem to want to help people, it’s at their own SNAIL’S pace. Finally, the other woman got off her break or whatever and walks up to the other window– FINALLY!- I think that the line will get smaller as there will be two clerks working… no …
wait…
The other one goes on break.
Thanks. So much.

This place is fucking awful, I don’t know why you’re looking it up on Unilocal,You don’t need to go here, there’s no reason to. The real DOL office in West Seattle is infinitely better, and it’s worth going even if you need to walk.
The people here are rude and they don’t want to help you. They refused to accept my title transfer because I had written a 0 instead of leaving the price blank on a gift, and because the bill of gift wasn’t dated for the same day as the title, they treated me like a child. i went to the West Seattle DOL and they had no trouble at all, fuck the bitches in Georgetown.