Licensing

How to Verify a Licensed Mover in Washington State

Anyone can put “licensed and insured” on a website. Here’s how to actually check it yourself, rather than taking a mover’s word for it.

Ask Us for Our Licensing Details →
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Manifest · Move Details

What’s covered

  • Local moving — ✓ Included
  • Long distance — ✓ Available
  • Stairs / long carry — Quoted upfront
  • Packing materials — ✓ Included
  • Insurance — $100k coverage

NO SURPRISE FEES ON MOVE DAY — everything above is priced into your quote before we show up, not discovered after.

The Regulator

Washington regulates in-state movers through the UTC

Any company that moves household goods for pay within Washington State is legally required to hold a permit from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). This isn’t optional or a nice-to-have — a moving company operating without a UTC permit is operating illegally, and if something goes wrong with your move, the UTC’s ability to help you is very limited when the company was never permitted in the first place.

The UTC maintains a public companies lookup you can search yourself, rather than relying on a mover’s claim. It’s a five-minute check that can save a genuinely stressful situation.

What to Look For

What a legitimate mover is required to show you

  • Company name and UTC permit number on all advertisements, alongside their official business name, physical address, and phone number
  • USDOT number, required for any household goods carrier operating vehicles at 16,001 pounds or more, even for moves that stay entirely within Washington
  • Visible vehicle markings — commercial moving trucks are required to display the company name and “USDOT [number]” on both sides in lettering visible from 50 feet away

Newer Companies

New companies vs. established ones

If a company can’t produce a UTC permit number when asked directly, that’s not a minor omission — it’s a sign they may be operating illegally.

Washington issues new moving companies a provisional permit valid for at least six months before they can qualify for a permanent one. A provisional permit isn’t automatically a red flag — every legitimate company starts there — but it’s worth knowing the difference exists if you’re comparing a newer company to a long-established one.

Interstate Moves

If your move crosses state lines

The UTC only regulates moves within Washington. For an interstate move, the relevant authority is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) instead — check the company’s status through FMCSA’s system, or call their consumer complaint line directly if something seems off.

If Something’s Wrong

What to do if you suspect a mover is operating without a permit

Washington has a specific process for reporting suspected non-permitted transportation carriers through the UTC. If you’ve already been affected by an unlicensed mover — held belongings, unexpected charges — you can also file a formal complaint with the UTC.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The UTC maintains a public companies lookup specifically for this. Search the company’s name before you book, not after.

Washington requires USDOT numbers for household goods carriers with vehicles at 16,001 pounds or more, even for moves that stay entirely within the state — so yes, in most cases, even a local move.

The UTC regulates moves that stay within Washington State. FMCSA regulates interstate moves that cross state lines. Which one applies depends on where your move starts and ends.

You can report a suspected non-permitted carrier to the UTC, and file a complaint if you’ve already been affected. Documentation — your estimate, texts, and any contracts — matters here.

Ask Us for Our Licensing Details Before You Book

Ask us the same questions this page tells you to ask any mover — and check the answers yourself before you book.

Moving Services Bellingham · 1650 Birchwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

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