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Titling and Registering Your Vehicle


You must title your vehicle in Oregon if you want to register it.  These instructions will help you prepare to title and register your vehicle.

To title your vehicle, mail or bring to DMV:

  1. A completed Title Application. 
    Passenger vehicle (car, pickup, SUV) – use our guided DMV2U application. 
  2. Original title or ownership document (certificate of origin if new vehicle);
         If the title is lost and:
      • The vehicle is 2011 or newer and needs an odometer disclosure, you must get a replacement title before you can transfer the title (see Duplicate Oregon Title below).  
      • The vehicle is 2010 or older, mark the Replacement Oregon Title box in the Certifications section of the application.
      • Was issued by another state, contact that state to get a replacement before applying for an Oregon title.
  3. Original lien releases from any previous security interest holders; 
  4. Original releases or bills of sale from any previous owners; 
  5. An odometer disclosure between you and the seller, if required (may be in the transfer area on the title or a separate disclosure form);
  6. If the vehicle has an out-of-state or foreign title, a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection for $9 (can be done during your title appointment at DMV);
  7. If you bought the vehicle from an out-of-state dealer and it is brand new or has 7,500 miles or less, you may need a Use Tax Certificate;
  8. Any other requirements based on your location, situation, or vehicle type (check sections below to see if you need more documents);
  9. The title fee and any registration and plate fees. 
    Passenger vehicle - Use our fee calculator (prepares your application too)!
Note: If you have a loan on the vehicle, contact your lien holder.  They will probably have you provide the documents to them and they will submit your application to DMV.


​If you want to register the vehicle and are in a DEQ area, most vehicles must pass a DEQ emissions test.  Newer vehicles​ are exempt.​

If your residential or business address is in Clackamas, Multnomah, or Washington county, you cannot get a title or registration for certain older diesel-powered trucks unless they are equipped with approved retrofit technology and certified by DEQ. The two truck categories are:
  • Medium-duty (gross vehicle weight rating is 14,001-26,000 pounds)
  • Heavy-duty (gross vehicle weight rating is 26,001+ pounds)

Timeline

Since January 1, 2023, DMV does not issue or renew registration for:
  • Medium-duty trucks powered by a model year 1996 or older diesel engine.
Starting January 1, 2025, DMV will not issue a title for:
  • Medium-duty trucks powered by a model year 2009 or older diesel engine.
  • Heavy-duty trucks powered by a model year 2006 or older diesel engine.
Starting January 1, 2029, DMV will not issue or renew registration for:
  • ​Medium-duty trucks powered by a model year 2009 or older diesel engine.

Exemptions

If your diesel-powered truck is exempt from diesel retrofit requirements, you must provide an exemption certification (Form 1403) when you apply for title and at every renewal.

These medium-duty vehicles are exempt from diesel retrofit requirements:
  • Antique vehicles (Definition: A vehicle older than one-half the number of years between the current year and 1900 that is maintained as a collector’s item. Antique vehicles can meet this definition even if they are not registered with “AQ” antique plates.)
  • Motor homes
  • Farm-plated vehicles and farm tractors
  • Vehicles used exclusively for training
  • Emergency vehicles
  • Ambulances
  • Vehicles used to transport logs, as defined in ORS 801.355

These exemptions are only for heavy-duty trucks:
  • Heavy-duty trucks operated for 5,000 miles or fewer on Oregon highways in one calendar year.
  • Carriers with a fleet size of five or fewer heavy-duty trucks.

Need more information?
For Diesel Retrofit Compliance Program requirements:

For title questions and medium-duty truck registration questions:
  • Call DMV Customer Assistance at 503-945-5000.

For commercial vehicle registration questions:

​When one or more owners are deceased, the additional documents you need will depend on whether survivorship is listed on the title and if the estate is being probated.

If your title shows Y/N or Y/Y in the SURVIVORSHIP box, the title has survivorship.

​​If your title shows N/N or N/Y in the SURVIVOR box, the title does not have survivorship between the registered owners.​

Survivor Title.JPG 

Title has Survivorship

  • Proof of death for each deceased owner (original, certified copy, or regular photocopy of death certificate, or documents produced by a municipal or state court that indicate an individual's death​​​​​​).
Title has Survivorship – All Owners Deceased
  • Proof of death for all deceased owners (original, certified copy, or regular photocopy​​ of death certificate, or documents produced by a municipal or state court that indicate an individual's death​​​​​), except owner who passed away most recently; and
  • Estate documents for the owner who passed away most recently. Document type will depend on whether or not the estate is being probated or has closed.  Check out the sections below to find out what other documents you need, based on the situation.
No Survivorship on Title – Estate NOT Probated
  • ​Notarized Inheritance Affidavit completed by each heir (separate forms can be used if there are multiple heirs).
  • If a simple estate affidavit was filed with the county: a copy of the court-filed affidavit, or a Simple Estate Certification​ completed by the affiant.
No Survivorship on Title – Estate Being Probated
  • ​​​A copy of the court-issued Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or other document appointing the personal representative of the estate; and
  • An original release or bill of sale from the personal representative of the estate (if there are multiple personal representatives, a release is required from each personal representative).
No Survivorship on Title – Estate Probated and Now Closed
  • A copy of the court-issued Decree of Final Distribution - the decree must show who was awarded the vehicle; and
  • Original releases or bills of sale from any previous owners, other than the deceased owner(s) (if you were not awarded the vehicle in the Decree of Final Distribution, you must provide a release from whomever was awarded the vehicle).

You will also need:

  1. ​​Proof the vehicle meets U.S. Federal Vehicle Standards; and
  2. ​​A completed Certification of Liens​; and
  3. A certified translation for documents written in any language that uses a different alphabet than English.

​You will also need proof that the recreational vehicle complies with the NFPA 1192 or 501C, or the ANSI A119.2​ standard based on the vehicle year:
  • New vehicle, it will either be on the MCO or a letter from the manufacturer.
  • Used vehicle, you will certify the vehicle complies by signing the application.​
         NOTE: DMV will NOT inspect certification labels on RVs.

Park model recreational vehicles must meet certain requirements to be eligible for a title.

You will also need:

  1. ​To review and complete the Park Model Recreational Vehicle (PMRV) Certification​ if the PMRV meets requirements.​   
         NOTE: DMV will NOT inspect certification labels on PMRVs.
  2. If it is a new PMRV, proof it complies with the ANSI A119.5 standard;
    • Statement on the MCO or letter from the manufacturer. 
  3. If it has an Oregon Manufactured Structure Ownership Document, you can search for the document online​.  Print the document to submit as the ownership document.

To register the vehicle, you will also need proof of compliance with U.S. standards if your vehicle was imported or is not one of the major manufacturers recognized by DMV.

Major manufacturers recognized by DMV:
Aprilia         Ducati                 Moto Guzzi Triumph
BMW         Harley Davidson Norton         Vespa
Bombardier Honda                 Piaggio         Victory
Buell         Kawasaki                 Suzuki         Yamaha

Proof of compliance may be:
  • DMV viewing the federal safety and EPA labels on the vehicle (done during VIN inspection);
  • A Dealer Certification​, completed by the Oregon dealer;
  • A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Form CF7501 or CBP7501;
  • A letter from the manufacturer stating the vehicle meets federal safety and emissions standards; or
  • For vehicles imported by the U.S. military or U.S. military personnel, a written notice or form issued by the U.S. military.
Note: Most off-road vehicles cannot be modified for use on Oregon highways and cannot be registered.​

These instructions are for vehicles being titled initially or an additional incident has happened to re-title the vehicle as assembled, reconstructed, or replica.  

If you are only transferring ownership of a vehicle already titled as assembled, reconstructed, or replica, you do not need these extra requirements. 

A junk vehicle cannot be titled in Oregon.  

You will also need:

Find out more about tow/recovery vehicle requirements and whether you need to register with DMV or the Commerce and Compliance Division (CCD) on our Tow/Recovery Vehicles​ page.​

To register your vehicle as a tow/recovery vehicle, you will also need:
  1. ​A completed Application for Tow or Recovery Vehicle Business Certificate​;
  2. A valid Certificate of Liability Insurance;
  3. Tow/Recovery fees:
Tow Business Certificate (no title) for Out of State Towers
  1. A completed Application for Registration​;
  2. A completed Application for Tow or Recovery Vehicle Business Certificate​; 
  3. A valid Certificate of Liability Insurance;
  4. All applicable fees:
    • ​​$17.00 Certificate fee; 
    • $100.00 Tow Board fee; and
    • $26 plate fee (not due if renewing previously issued certificate with or without registration).​​

​
To be eligible to register and renew vehicle registration in Oregon, you must either be a resident of, or domiciled in, this state. It is possible to be domiciled in Oregon even if you have an address outside of Oregon. 

It is also possible for a vehicle to be eligible for Oregon registration if you do not reside in Oregon, as long as the vehicle is primarily used and housed in Oregon. You can list the vehicle’s Oregon situs address in the space provided for a “vehicle address” on the Application for Title and Registration​.

Proof of Residency/Domicile
DMV will request proof of residency/domicile if you provide a residence address outside Oregon during vehicle registration/renewal and we don’t have an Oregon situs address listed for the vehicle. If you are domiciled in Oregon but are temporarily out of state for reasons related to military service, you can provide proof that Oregon is listed as your legal residence in military records. 

Acceptable forms of proof include: 
  • A copy of your military Leave and Earnings Statement.
  • A current Oregon tax return.
  • A currently dated letter from the military payroll office.
DMV requests this proof in addition to Form 7182, Certification of Oregon Residency or Domicile.

The types of proof listed above are also acceptable if you are the spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child of a military member and are registering or renewing your vehicle registration in Oregon.

For more information on proof of residency/domicile that does not pertain to military service, see Form 7182​.​

Use the instructions above, except if you need to:

To get a duplicate of the last title issued, mail or bring to DMV:

  1. A completed Application for Replacement Title; and
  2. The appropriate title fee​.
Other Situations

Mail or bring to DMV​:

  1. The original ​Oregon title signed by an owner (example below);
    • ​If the title is lost, mark the Replacement Oregon Title box in the Certifications section of the Title Application​.
  2. ​Original lien releases from all previous security interest holders; and
  3. The appropriate title fee. 
    Passenger Vehicle - Use our online fee calculator​ (creates your Title Application too)!
Sign this section of your title:
Sign_your_title.jpg​
​

Salvage title information:

  • ​​You must apply for a salvage title in some situations. Review the “Reason for Salvage Title” section at the top of the Application for Salvage Title​ for more information.
  • Registration is cancelled once a salvage title is issued.
  • If your vehicle has certain damage (a junk vehicle) an Oregon title cannot be issued.
Mail or bring to DMV:
  1. Completed Salvage Title Application;
  2. The original Oregon title, out-of-state title, or other ownership document;
  3. Original odometer disclosure​, if required;
  4. Original releases or bills of sale from all previous owners; 
  5. Original lien releases from any previous security interest holders; and
  6. The $27 salvage title fee.
​
Get more information about vehicle situations (abandoned, commercial, kei class…) and vehicle type definitions on our Vehicle Types page.  Learn how to check your vehicle history using NMVTIS.

How to Submit Your Transaction

  • Make an appointment at some offices or walk in to wait on standby.
  • Mail documents and fees to (keep images or copies of documents):
      • Oregon DMV
      1905 Lana Ave NE
      Salem OR 97314
Check title and registration process times at the end of our News page.


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