CONTACT: Mary Hall, Thurston County Auditor
tcauditor@co.thurston.wa.us 
360.786.5224 
711 Washington Relay 

OLYMPIA – For the fourth year in a row, the Thurston County Auditor’s Vehicle Licensing Office has passed its audit from the State Department of Licensing with no findings, showing zero errors or violations in its operations. 

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) recently finished its annual review of the office. This thorough check looked at nine different areas of the business, from how money and inventory are handled to how securely documents are stored and how staff are trained. In every category, the county met or exceeded state requirements. 

“I’m incredibly proud of the care and attention to detail our team brings to work every day,” said Mary Hall, Thurston County Auditor. “This achievement shows our commitment to serving the public with honesty and excellence.” 

“These high standards provide a vital layer of protection for every vehicle owner in Thurston County,” Hall said. By maintaining a perfect audit, the office ensures that car titles are processed accurately, preventing identity theft and protecting buyers from "title washing" or purchasing stolen vehicles. For residents, this means one of their largest investments, their cars, trucks, and boats, are backed by a secure, error-free system that keeps their ownership records safe and legally sound. 

 In recent years, the state has made these audits much more demanding. Inspectors now perform both in-person inspections and digital reviews of the office's computer records. These checks ensure that public money is being handled correctly and that all facility security measures are strictly followed. 

Jaime Grantham, an administrator at the state DOL, praised the Thurston County team for their high standards. “It is rare to find a team that is as professional and as close to perfect as it gets,” Grantham said. “Your commitment to excellence is an example for others to follow.” 

The Thurston County Auditor’s office was one of the first in Washington to undergo this more intense level of scrutiny. In addition to passing its own state reviews, the office is also responsible for auditing and inspecting the smaller licensing sub-offices throughout the county to ensure they also meet the same high standards.  

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