What is a Title Transfer?

Your title serves as legal evidence of vehicle ownership. Storing in a safe place is recommended, because you will need the title if and when you decide to transfer ownership.

After purchasing a vehicle, you must title within 30 days or you'll be penalized with a late fee ($25 if 31-60 days late, $50 for 61 days and beyond).

Typical title transfer situations involve:

• Buying or selling a vehicle

• Inheriting a vehicle

• Making name changes

• Paying off a loan

• Gifting or donating a vehicle

• Transferring to family

Selling a Vehicle

You can cut down on any buyer doubts about your price or hidden mechanical flaws by ordering a vehicle history report.

When you're ready to sell, here's what to do:

1. Sign over the title.
2. Record an odometer reading on the title, if applicable.
3. Notify the DMV within 10 days of selling by submitting a Notice of Sale form in the mail, or using the online form.

Though not required, creating a Bill of Sale for your own records is strongly encouraged.

Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

Your dealer will manage the title paperwork.

If you have yet to pinpoint a vehicle, save gas by shopping online for a new car.

Used Cars

Affordability, more so than looks, should be your top consideration when choosing a used car. Before putting a deposit down on the first vehicle you see, be sure to explore all of the financial options available to you. When figuring a budget, also include insurance costs. You can compare insurance rates from a variety of carriers at our Insurance Center.

Once you have finances worked out, protect yourself by studying a vehicle history report on your car of choice.

Here's what needs to happen to transfer the title in your name:

1. The seller must release his or her interest on one of the following: the title, Bill of Sale or Lien Release. Whichever document is used, must be also dated.
2. Complete an Application for Title and Registration.
3. Include an odometer disclosure (if required) either on the back of the title or on an Odometer Disclosure/Reassignment form (available at any DMV office).
4. Payment for $77.

Either deliver to a DMV office or mail to:

• Oregon DMV

• 1905 Lana Ave. NE

• Salem, Oregon 97314

Your new title will be mailed within three to five weeks.

You will need to register in addition to titling.

Removing a Lien

After paying off your loan and receiving a lien release, you must submit the following to remove the lien from your title:

1. The lien release.
2. A completed Application for Title and Registration.
3. Payment for $77.

You can either deliver in person to any DMV office or mail to:

• Oregon DMV

• 1905 Lana Ave. NE

• Salem, Oregon 97314

Transferring to Family

You can transfer a vehicle that's in your name to the following family members:

• Grandparents

• Grandkids

• Parents

• Spouse

• Kids

You need to submit the following:

1. A signed-over title.
2. A completed Application for Title and Registration.
3. An odometer disclosure (if required) either on the back of the title or on an Odometer Disclosure/Reassignment form (available at any DMV office.
4. Payment for $77.

You can deliver in person at any DMV location or mail to:

• Oregon DMV

• 1905 Lana Ave. NE

• Salem, Oregon 97314

Gifting a Vehicle

You'll need to mail to:

• Oregon DMV

• 1905 Lana Ave. NE

• Salem, Oregon 97314

Or take the following documents to any DMV location:

1. The title, which the seller, or giver, in this case, must have signed-off on.
2. A completed Application for Title and Registration.
3. Include an odometer disclosure (if required) either on the back of the title or on an Odometer Disclosure/Reassignment form (available at any DMV office.
4. Payment for $77.

Donating a Vehicle

Donating a car will free you from the selling process, and make you feel good about aiding a cause or charity of your choice. Learn more at our Car Donation page.

To help maximize your donation's tax credit, consider consulting with a tax attorney.

Inheriting a Vehicle

To help sort the legal rhetoric behind inheritances, you should give heed to consulting a probate attorney. This will help, given the circumstances, in meeting the state's 30-day window on titling before late fee penalties kick in.

Title With Survivorship

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

1. A copy of the death certificate or an obituary notice.
2. A completed Application for Title and Registration.
3. If available, the Oregon title.
4. An odometer disclosure, if required.
5. Payment of fees (a regular title fee is $77; a title replacement with a title transfer is $77 as well).

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

Title Without Survivorship

Estate of the Deceased is Being Probated

Submit the following to the DMV:

1. The Oregon title, if available.
2. A copy of the court-issued Letter of Testamentary or a similar document designating the personal representative of the estate.
3. Release of interest by the personal representative on either the title or a Bill of Sale.
4. A completed Application for Title and Registration.
5. An odometer disclosure, if required.
6. Payment of fees (a regular title fee is $77; a title replacement with a title transfer is $77 as well).

Estate is Not Being Probated

To complete the transfer, deliver the following documents:

1. The Oregon title, if available.
2. From each heir, notarized Inheritance Affidavits listing who is granted the vehicle.
3. A completed Application for Title and Registration.
4. If a security interest exists, provide proof that security interests in the vehicle have been met, or written consent from the security interest holder to transfer the title.
5. An odometer disclosure, if required.
6. Payment of fees (a regular title fee is $77; a title replacement with a title transfer is $77 as well).

Estate was Probated but has Been Closed

Here's what you need to hand in:

1. A copy of the court-issued Decree of Final Distribution, showing who is awarded the vehicle.
2. The Oregon title, if available.
3. A completed Application for Title and Registration.
4. An odometer disclosure, if required.
5. Payment of fees (a regular title fee is $77; a title replacement with a title transfer is $77 as well).

For all situations above, you may deliver the documents in person at any DMV location or by mail to:

• Oregon DMV

• 1905 Lana Ave. NE

• Salem, Oregon 97314

Keep in mind you that you will also need to register the vehicle. Residents in Portland and the Rogue Valley area, must also submit to emission tests. Visit our registration page for complete information.

And don't forget about insurance. You can shop for a carrier at our Insurance Center.

Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

If you recently married, divorced, or legally changed your name, you must amend your title. To do so, visit any DMV office with:

1. Your Oregon title.
2. A completed Request for Correction of Title Records form. Be sure to include an explanation of your name change, the date, and your license or ID number.
3. Payment of $77 for the title transfer.

You can also mail this information to:

• DMV

• 1905 Lane Ave. NE

• Salem, OR 97314-2250

• Attn: Corrections Desk

NOTE: A title change will automatically update your registration.

Consider ordering a vital record to back-up your name change claim. If you have more questions, visit our Changing Your Name page.

Deleting a Name

Either mail (to the address listed in Used Car section) or deliver to a DMV location the following:

1. The vehicle's title (it must be signed-off by the other involved party).
2. A completed Application for Title and Registration.
3. Payment for $77 title fee.

Your new title should arrive in the mail within three to five weeks.

Adding a Name

Mail to:

• Oregon DMV

• 1905 Lana Ave. NE

• Salem, Oregon 97314

Or drop off the following to any DMV location:

1. A completed Application for Title and Registration.
2. The vehicle's title.
3. Payment for $77 title fee.

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