How Do I Transfer an Auto Title & Registration in Oregon?

Transfer a title and registration in Oregon.

Oregon differs slightly from other states when it comes to the transfer of a vehicle--the Department of Motor Vehicles requires notification within 10-days of the ownership transfer. Titles cannot be transferred to another person while a lien is listed on the title. Registration must be pursued independently; the new owner will register the vehicle herself. Oregon's Department of Motor Vehicles website offers detailed directions, contact information and form access for simplified transactions.

Instructions

1. Review your title and make sure that there are no liens listed. Find your original lien release, if there is one present, to include with your title for the new owner--you cannot transfer a title with an active lien, it must be paid in full. Obtain an original lien release before a sale.

2. Fill out the section of the title that requests the seller information--older titles use a box labeled "Registered Owner". Print all of your information, date and sign, if there is a co-owner listed on the front of the title, she must do the same. The buyer must fill out the information in the "buyer" box, even if the vehicle is a gift.

3. Fill out the odometer disclosure on the title. Check the mileage to ensure accuracy. Skip this section if your vehicle is one of the following; a vehicle not manufactured with an odometer, a trailer or a camper, or is more than 16,000 pounds. Skip the odometer section if the person you are transferring to is already on the title.

4. Follow all above procedures even if the person you are transferring to is listed on the title. Make sure the co-owner also signs in the seller's and buyer's box--the two of you are proving agreement of a name removal from the title.

5. Notify DMV of your transfer of sale within 10 days of the transaction. Fill out the DMV required transfer form online, in person or by mail. Input the vehicle VIN (vehicle identification number), year, make, plate number and title number in "Step 1". Fill out "Step 2" with the new owner's information and "Step 3" for seller information.

6. Using the title and lien release (if applicable), the new owner registers the vehicle on his own. He must fill out the Application for Title and Registration form and pay all necessary fees to the DMV to register his car. Registrations were used before titles to transfer ownership--states across the nation have used titles from around the year 1980 and on for ownership transfers.

References

• Oregon DMV: Selling, Donating or Gifting a Vehicle

Resources

• Oregon DMV: Online Notice of Vehicle Sale/Transfer Form