Title Transfers

Vehicle title transfer in Oregon is basically a matter of completing the Application for Replacement Title, and providing necessary documents, including a bill of sale or lien release. Each time the vehicle changes ownership, such as when you buy a vehicle, it must be re-titled. This includes when you pay off a loan and the lender has held the title―you must then get a title in your name.

A title replacement and transfer may only be done together if the vehicle is not subject to federal odometer requirements, or if one current registered owner is still listed on the title.

If a title is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can apply for a replacement title, provided someone can certify what happened to the title on the Application for Replacement Title. A stolen title is considered lost, but only if it was stolen by an unknown party with no ownership interest in the vehicle.

For title replacement and transfer in Oregon, you must do the following:

• Fill out an Application for Replacement Title, and ensure all owners on record have signed it.

• Complete an Application for Title and Registration, including new owner information.

• Provide a release of interest from the previous owner(s).

• Provide a bill of sale or Lien Release to the DMV along with the other above-listed forms.

If you are also registering the vehicle, make certain to certify proof of insurance on the application if one current owner remains on the title. If you opt for one of Oregon's specialty license plates, indicate your preference in the "remarks" section of the Application for Title and Registration.

Vehicle registration also requires Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) emissions test if you live in the Portland or Medford areas, a replacement title transaction fee, a separate title transaction fee, registration and renewal fees, and plate fees if applicable.

To replace an Oregon title, complete an Application for Replacement Title. Make sure all registered owners have signed. If it is the lien holder applying for the replacement title, the application must be signed and countersigned by the bank branch listed on the title.

For questions or to find out more about title transfers, customers may call the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Customer Assistance line at (503) 945-5000 during regular business hours.

Transferring a Title in the Event of a Death

In the case of a death, title and registration procedures vary depending on whether or not the deceased indicated survivorship on the title. Survivorship is simply a fancy way of saying the vehicle had more than one owner.

Title with Survivorship

You can submit the following if one of the owners is deceased:

• Copy of the death certificate. An obituary notice will also suffice.

• Completed Application for Title and Registration.

• If available, the Oregon title.

• Other documentation required for a title and registration transfer (see above).

• Appropriate fees. Typically a regular title fee is $55.

If all owners are deceased, call the DMV at (503) 945-5000 for instructions.

Title Without Survivorship

Transferring a title without survivorship is much more complicated. Various scenarios exist, and each scenario has different procedures. In all cases, you must present appropriate documentation required for a title and registration (see above), the required fees, and a completed Application for Title and Registration. Oregon's DMV Web site has more information, or you can call (503) 945-5000.

Transferring a Vehicle as a Gift

You must sign the title over to the recipient of the gift, following exactly the same procedures as a regular title transfer. The recipient will then apply for a new title as though he or she were the buyer.

Holding a Title Without a Driver's License

You do not need to have a driver's license to hold a title in the state of Oregon.

Adding or Deleting a Person from a Title

To add a person to a title, go to your local DMV office to fill out the appropriate forms. Adding a person to a title costs $55.

To delete a person from a title, have the second owner sign the title over to you as the primary holder. You can then go to your local DMV office to fill out the appropriate forms. It will cost $55 to transfer the title to you.

Changing Your Name on a Title

If you recently married, divorced, or otherwise legally changed your name, you must change the name on your title. To do so, the DMV requires the following:

• Oregon title.

• Payment of $55 for the title transfer.

• A completed Request for Correction of Title Records form. Note that on the form you should state that the new name on the title refers to you ("John Doe is the same person as John Smith because of a legal name change"). The DMV might want to see your current driver's license or some other form of identification.

You can take the completed form to your local DMV office or mail the complete package to:

• DMV

• 1905 Lane Avenue NE

• Salem, OR 97314-2250

• Attn: Corrections Desk