Washington State Patrol Inspection for title.. anyone gone through it?

[Rambow]

It appears that in Washington if the vehicle hadn't been re-registered in the last xx years, it falls out of the computer and it is then treated like a vehicle with NO title.

Went in to the DOL today after finally getting the 1987 divorce property settlement information for the previous owner that showed he received the truck (the 1991 registration from the glove box showed he & his ex were both listed as owners)... and they told us that the VIN & Licence plate were not in the system (last registered in 1991/92).

They told me the next step is to take it to the State Patrol for VIN inspection- then they will grant registration & I'll receive the title 3 years after that.

Anyone ever gone through this process in Washington before?
Is it a big deal?
I was worried before with the title, because the registration showed it had the engine stamping listed as the vin instead of the body tag... but now I guess that will be ok since the old title is gone/moot.

Just wish i didn't have to wait 3 years for it to be legit. Not that i was planning to sell, but nice to have that option.