The repeal of the statutes listed in section 1 of this act does not affect any right accrued or established, or any liability or penalty incurred, under those statutes before their repeal.
Unless real property subject to the provisions of chapter 65.12 RCW on the effective date of this section is previously withdrawn from the registry system by its owner in the manner provided by section 4 of this act, the real property shall cease to be subject to the provisions of chapter 65.12 RCW upon the effective date of this section.
By July 1, 2023, the owner of real property registered under the provisions of chapter 65.12 RCW on the effective date of this section shall surrender their duplicate certificate of title for the real property or their certified copy of the original certificate of title for the real property, as the case may be, to the registrar of titles for the county in which the real property is situated. If such duplicate certificate or certified copy has been lost, mislaid, or destroyed the owner of the real property shall make affidavit before the registrar of titles or any other officer authorized to administer oaths wherein the owner shall state, to the best of his or her knowledge, the circumstances of the loss, the description of the real property, the name and address of each registered owner, and each such owner's interest in the real property.
Except as otherwise provided by subsection (3) of this section, the surrender of the duplicate certificate, certified copy, or the making of an affidavit under subsection (1) of this section shall be considered as a withdrawal of the real property therein described from the registry system in accordance with chapter 65.12 RCW.
The registrar of titles for the county in which the real property is situated shall:
Accept, without charging therefor, the surrender of such duplicate certificate of title, certified copy of the original certificate of title, or affidavit; and
Issue, without charging therefor, a certificate of withdrawal for the real property as required by chapter 65.12 RCW; and
Cause to be duly recorded in the office of the county auditor for the county, without charge, the certificate of withdrawal issued under (b) of this subsection and all instruments filed in the office of the registrar of titles that relate to outstanding interests in such real property and to outstanding liens, mortgages, and other charges upon such real property, referred to in or noted upon the original certificate of title to such real property on the date of the issuance of the certificate of withdrawal for such real property pursuant to (b) of this subsection.
On July 1, 2023, the registrar of titles for the county shall cause the volumes of the register of titles for the county and the accompanying alphabetical indices and tract indices and other files and records in the office of the registrar of titles to be closed and placed in the permanent deed records of the county. At this time all properties remaining in registration are automatically withdrawn according to section 4(3) (b) and (c) of this act.
By December 1, 2022, the registrar of titles for each county shall send to each owner of real property situated in the county that is subject to the provisions of this act a written notice containing the following:
A statement that the registry system has been discontinued by this act;
A statement that such owner's real property will cease to be subject to registration under this act on July 1, 2023;
A statement that such owner may withdraw, without charge, his or her real property from registration and the provisions of this act in the manner provided in section 4 of this act prior to such date;
A statement that the validity and priority of lien interest or ownership is not affected by this process; and
A statement that the registrar of titles for the county, upon completion of the required withdrawal procedures, shall cause the instruments described in section 4(3) of this act to be properly restored to the recording system without charge.
The registrar of titles shall send the notice required by subsection (1) of this section to each such owner at the most recent address indicated on the original certificate of title for the owner's real property contained in the volumes of the register of titles for the county.