What to do when something is stolen in Washington

Washington at a glance

Statute text checked on app.leg.wa.gov. Laws change; confirm the current version before relying on it.

Washington by the numbers

These figures count reports made to federal agencies, so they measure what was reported, not every theft. National context is on the theft statistics page.

Reporting a theft in Washington

Washington's felony line sits lower than in many states, at $750, so the value you list in a police report can decide whether the case is a misdemeanor or a felony. Report to the city police or county sheriff where the theft happened; the Washington State Patrol handles state highways and does not list an online theft report on its homepage.

In Seattle, the online crime reporting system takes theft, shoplifting, car break-ins, theft of auto accessories, credit card fraud and identity theft. The department sets clear conditions: the incident must be in city limits (identity theft excepted for Seattle residents), there must be no known suspect, and stolen vehicles, stolen plates and lost or stolen firearms cannot be filed online. Elsewhere, check your local department. Our stolen property guide lists what to have ready.

Washington theft law and the felony threshold

Washington grades theft in three degrees under chapter 9A.56 RCW:

• Third degree (RCW 9A.56.050): property or services worth $750 or less, a gross misdemeanor.
• Second degree (RCW 9A.56.040): more than $750 up to $5,000, a class C felony. Theft of an access device (such as a credit or debit card) and of public records is also second degree theft.
• First degree (RCW 9A.56.030): more than $5,000, or property of any value taken from another person, a class B felony.

The value tiers expressly exclude firearms and motor vehicles, which the Legislature treats as separate offenses. A stolen credit card is a felony in Washington regardless of what was charged to it, which is one more reason to report it and cancel it quickly; see our stolen wallet checklist.

Stolen vehicles and license plates in Washington

Under RCW 9A.56.065, theft of a motor vehicle is a class B felony, whatever the vehicle is worth. Report it by phone or in person to local police, since Seattle and many other departments do not take stolen vehicle reports online. Have the plate number and VIN (the 17-character vehicle identification number) ready.

The Washington State Department of Licensing states that lost, stolen or destroyed plates must be replaced and that a plate number reported stolen cannot be reused, so expect a new number. The state also funds auto theft prevention through the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority, which, according to a 2023 legislative bill report, reviews vehicle theft trends and grants money for enforcement, prosecution and public education. There is no state public stolen vehicle search; use the tools in our check if stolen guide and the stolen vehicles checklist.

Pawn shops and secondhand sales

Washington regulates pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers in chapter 19.60 RCW. Under RCW 19.60.055, a secondhand dealer with a permanent in-state store may not remove purchased or consigned property from that location for 30 days, and kiosk purchases must also be held at least 30 days. When police notify a dealer that an item may be stolen, RCW 19.60.045 holds it for 120 days unless the agency consents in writing or a court orders release, and the agency may renew the hold. Serial numbers and photos give officers what they need to place a hold.

Identity theft and fraud help in Washington

The Washington Attorney General's consumer protection pages accept consumer complaints and publish scam alerts and data breach resources. For identity theft, file at IdentityTheft.gov and with police; Seattle residents can report identity theft online even when it happened outside the city. Place credit freezes and review your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Our identity theft guide walks through each step, and stolen firearm covers Washington's 24-hour gun reporting rule.

Checklists for what was stolen

Each guide opens with a checklist in the order to act, with a free printable PDF.

• Domain names
• Identity theft
• Vehicles
• Social media and email
• SIM swap and phone numbers
• Stolen phones
• Bicycles and e-bikes
• Packages and mail
• Wallets, cards and checks
• Passports
• Firearms
• Art and collectibles
• Cryptocurrency

This page is general information about Washington, not legal advice. For your situation, consult an attorney licensed in Washington.