Registering and titling a vehicle in Oregon: new residents, purchases and renewals

How to title and register a vehicle in Oregon after buying it or moving from another state, the 30-day title deadline, DEQ emissions testing, renewal options, insurance minimums and plates, from Oregon DMV.

Guide · Oregon · Vehicle registration · Titles · updated October 29, 2026

Vehicle titles and registration in Oregon are handled by Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services (DMV), part of the Oregon Department of Transportation. The DMV's basic rule is that you must have an Oregon title in your name before you can register a vehicle, so titling comes first. This guide covers buying a vehicle, moving to Oregon with one, renewing registration and getting plates.

Where to apply

You can submit a title application in three ways:

• In person without an appointment, at offices that offer drop-ins.
• By appointment at a DMV office. The DMV says a title appointment covers a title, or a title with registration, and may include up to two transactions.
• By mail, to Oregon DMV, 1905 Lana Ave NE, Salem, OR 97314. Keep copies, send the originals, and do not send cash.

For a passenger vehicle (car, pickup or SUV), DMV2U has a guided title application that also calculates your fees. Oregon dealers can sign up to drop off transactions and pick up plates and stickers for their customers at DMV Dealer Service Centers.

For offices near you, see the Oregon DMV office list.

The 30-day deadline and late fees

The DMV says you have 30 days from the date of sale to apply for a title. If you apply later for an Oregon-titled vehicle, it charges a late title transfer fee: $25 between 31 and 60 days, and $50 after 60 days.

The DMV lists current processing times of 3 to 4 weeks for Oregon and out-of-state titles, and about 1 week for Oregon replacement titles.

What to send or bring for a title

The DMV's checklist (also printable as Form 6603) includes:

1. A completed Title Application (Form 226), or the DMV2U guided application for a passenger vehicle.
2. The original title or ownership document. For a new vehicle, this is the certificate of origin.
3. Original lien releases from any previous security interest holders.
4. Original releases or bills of sale from any previous owners. The DMV has a Vehicle Bill of Sale (Form 501).
5. An odometer disclosure, if required. When you buy, the DMV says one is needed for model year 2011 or newer vehicles under 20 years old, signed by you and the seller.
6. A VIN inspection, if the vehicle has an out-of-state or foreign title. The DMV lists the fee as $9 and says it can be done during your title appointment.
7. A Use Tax Certificate, possibly, if you bought a brand-new vehicle (or one with 7,500 miles or less) from an out-of-state dealer.
8. The title fee and any registration and plate fees.

If you have a loan on the vehicle, the DMV says to contact your lien holder: they will probably ask you to send them the documents and will submit the application for you.

Buying from a private seller

The DMV's buying tips say the seller should give you the title, with all owners and lienholders shown on it having released interest. If the seller's name is not on the title, get a bill of sale with at least the VIN, a statement releasing interest, the seller's printed name and signature, and the date of sale. Check the title for brands showing the vehicle was totaled or flooded. Some damaged vehicles cannot be titled in Oregon.

The seller should report the sale on DMV2U within 10 days. They stay listed as the owner until you transfer the title.

Moving to Oregon with a vehicle

The DMV says new residents must title and register their vehicle within 30 days, the same period as for getting an Oregon driver license. You follow the same title steps above, including the VIN inspection for an out-of-state title. If a lender holds your out-of-state title, you send the signed application and fees to the lender, who submits them to the DMV. The DMV then sends the Oregon title to the lender and the registration, plates and stickers to you.

For your license, see the Oregon driver license and ID card guide.

Emissions testing (DEQ areas)

If you live in a DEQ area (the Portland or Medford area), most vehicles must pass an emissions test by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality before registering. Newer vehicles are exempt. The DMV says the certificate is generally valid for six months after the test. Your renewal notice shows "Yes" in the DEQ box if you need a test. In Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, certain older medium- and heavy-duty diesel trucks also face retrofit rules.

Insurance

The DMV says it is illegal to drive in Oregon without liability coverage, and you must give your insurance policy number every time you register a vehicle. The minimums it lists are:

• Bodily injury and property damage liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per crash for bodily injury to others, and $20,000 per crash for damage to others' property
• Personal injury protection: $15,000 per person
• Uninsured motorist: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury

Fees

Title and registration fees depend on the vehicle's combined MPG rating. Regular passenger registration is valid for two years. A new passenger vehicle with a certificate of origin gets four years, at double the registration fee and any county fees. The DMV's fee page lists title fees of $101 to $116 by MPG band for passenger vehicles and trucks of 26,000 pounds GVWR or less, and $192 for all-electric vehicles. Two-year passenger registration is $126 to $216 depending on MPG, and $376 for all-electric vehicles; the fee is $86 for vehicles enrolled in the OReGO road usage charge program. County fees may be added. Use the DMV2U calculator for an exact figure.

Renewing registration

You can renew up to 120 days before your registration expires:

• Online at DMV2U, even if it has already expired. Your receipt is proof of registration for up to 30 days.
• At a DMV Express Kiosk, with your license or ID, insurance details and your renewal notice or current registration card.
• By mail, with the application (Form 268) or your renewal reminder, and a check or money order payable to "DMV", sent to DMV Services, Attn: Renewal, 1905 Lana Ave NE, Salem, OR 97314.
• At a DMV office, paying by card, cash, check or money order.
• At DEQ, if your vehicle needs an emissions test and passes, and you bring your renewal reminder.

In a DEQ area, pass the emissions test before renewing. After an online renewal, stickers typically arrive in about 3 business days (up to 1 week); by mail, issuing them can take 6 weeks.

Plates

Most vehicles get two plates, one for the front and one for the back. Mopeds, motorcycles, trailers, campers and antique or special interest vehicles get one rear plate. You may not alter plates or use a frame that covers the numbers, letters or stickers. You can check custom plate availability and order most plates on DMV2U.

You can transfer plates to another vehicle of the same type if they are a current style and readable. If you were not an owner of the vehicle they came from, the DMV charges a $30 plate transfer fee plus registration fees.