First Time Vehicle Registration in Oregon

Oregon Vehicle Registration

Oregon drivers must title and register their vehicles with the Driver and Motor Vehicles (DMV) department. The process for titling and registering varies slightly based on whether you:

• Recently moved to Oregon from out-of-state.
• Purchased a vehicle in Oregon.
• The vehicle was inherited from a person who is now deceased.

Vehicle title transfer and registration is done by mail. It will take around 5 weeks to receive your plates and registration and 10 weeks to receive your title.

Instructions for each process are outlined below.

Title and Vehicle Registration for New Oregon Residents

If you’ve recently moved to Oregon or purchased a vehicle from another state, you’ll need to transfer your title and register your vehicle in Oregon.

If your vehicle does NOT have a lien, provide:

• The current title from out-of-state OR the manufacturer's certificate of origin.
• A completed and signed Application for Title and Registration (DMV-735-226).
• The completed Odometer Disclosure statement if the vehicle is less than 10 years old. Contact the DMV to obtain this form.
• Proof that a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection was completed at a licensed inspection center.
• Bills of sale from previous owners.
• Lien releases from previous interest holders if applicable.
• A tax certificate if the vehicle has less than 7,500 miles on it.
• A Declaration of Exemption From the Oregon Low Emission Vehicle Requirement (DMV- 735-7309) OR proof of compliance with Oregon emissions standards.
• A certificate that an emissions label check was completed (if the vehicle is more than 4 years old.
• A check made payable to “Oregon DMV” for the title and registration fees.

Mail your items to:

DMV Services
1905 Lana Ave NE
Salem, OR 97314

If your vehicle has a lien, send your lien holder the following:

• A printed copy of the application procedures.
• The Application for Title and Registration (DMV-735-226).
• Proof that a VIN inspection was completed at a licensed inspection center.
• A tax certificate if the vehicle has less than 7,500 miles on it.
• A Declaration of Exemption From the Oregon Low Emission Vehicle Requirement (DMV- 735-7309) OR proof of compliance with Oregon emissions standards.
• Certificate that an emissions label check was completed (if the vehicle is more than 4 years old.
• A check made payable to “Oregon DMV” for the appropriate title and registration fees.

The security interest holder should submit these items with the title to the DMV.

Title and Register a Vehicle Purchased in Oregon

Failure to transfer the vehicle title within 30 days of purchase will result in a late fee.

To transfer ownership of a vehicle and register it, you’ll need to mail the following items to the DMV:

• A completed and signed Application for Title and Registration (DMV-226).
• The current certificate of title. If the title is unavailable, provide a completed Application for Replacement/Duplicate Title (DMV-515).
• The Odometer Disclosure statement if the vehicle is under 10 years old. Contact the DMV to get this form.
• Bills of sale from all previous owners.
• Lien releases from previous lien holders if applicable.
• Proof that a VIN inspection was performed by a licensed inspection center.
• A tax certificate if the vehicle has less than 7,500 miles on the odometer.
• A Declaration of Exemption From the Oregon Low Emission Vehicle Requirement (DMV- 735-7309) OR proof of compliance with Oregon emissions standards.
• Certificate that an emissions label check was performed (if the vehicle is over 4 years old.
• A check made payable to “Oregon DMV” for the title and registration fees.

Mail these items to:

DMV Services
1905 Lana Ave NE
Salem, OR 97314

Transfer an Oregon Title and Registration When the Owner Has Died

This process varies slightly based on whether survivorship was listed on the title. Look on the certificate of title for the box labeled “Survivor.” If the box says:

• Y/Y or Y/N, then it has survivorship.
• N/Y or N/N, it does NOT have survivorship.

In all cases, you must provide:

• Certificate of Title (if available).
• Application for Title and Registration (DMV-226).
• Odometer disclosure if the vehicle is under 10 years old.
• Death certificate, obituary or proof of death of the owner(s).
• Bills of sale and lien releases from all previous owners (except the deceased).
• A Declaration of Exemption From the Oregon Low Emission Vehicle Requirement (DMV- 735-7309) OR proof the vehicle complies with Oregon emissions standards.
• Proof that an emissions label check was performed (if the vehicle is over 4 years old).
• Payment for the applicable registration and title fees.

Additionally, if the vehicle does NOT have survivorship, you must provide:

• A notarized Inheritance Affidavit (DMV-735-516) completed by all heirs if the previous owner did NOT leave an authorized will.

OR

• If the deceased owner’s will is being authorized, provide a copy of a document appointing the estate representative, such as the Letters Testamentary OR Letters of Administration.

OR

• If the deceased owner left a will that was already authorized, provide a copy of the decree of final distribution. If the decree does not name you as the inheritor of the vehicle you must ALSO provide a release from the person named.

Mail these items to:

DMV Services
1905 Lana Ave NE
Salem, OR 97314

Oregon Title and Registration Fees

Registration and title fees are based on the age and MPG of the vehicle.

Here are the registration fees for passenger vehicles with a model year of:

• 1999 or older: $122.
• 2000 or newer with an MPG of 0-19: $122.
• 2000 or newer with an MPG of 20-39: $132.
• 2000 or newer with an MPG of 40 or higher: $152.

Registering an electric vehicle costs $306.

There are additional registration fees for certain counties. Vehicles in:

• Multnomah County are subject to an additional county fee of $38.
• Washington or Clackamas County are subject to an additional county fee of $60.

Here are the title fees for passenger vehicles with a model year of:

• 1999 or older: $98.
• 2000 or newer with an MPG of 0-19: $98.
• 2000 or newer with an MPG of 20-39: $103.
• 2000 or newer with an MPG of 40 or higher: $113.

The title fee for all electric vehicles is $187.

Failure to transfer the vehicle title within 30 days of purchase will result in a late fee. Late fees depend on how far past the date you transfer the title:

• 31-60 days late: $25.
• 61 or more: $50.

The Oregon DMV has a fee chart that includes other vehicle classes as well as a fee calculator.