Oregon — quick answer
In Oregon, a bill of sale is recommended for a private vehicle sale and notarization is not required. No witnesses are required. The relevant state form is 735-501. Ownership is transferred through the Oregon DMV via the assigned title.
Is a bill of sale required in Oregon?
Recommended. A bill of sale (735-501) documents the sale; the seller files a Notice of Sale within 10 days.
Seller signs the title over; the buyer titles and registers at an Oregon DMV office.
Does a Oregon bill of sale need to be notarized?
Not required. No notarization required.
Witness requirements
No. Oregon does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
How to transfer a vehicle title in Oregon
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Fill in the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Both parties sign and date the document.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller signs the title over; the buyer titles and registers at an Oregon DMV office.
- 3File a notice of sale / release of liability.
As the seller, file Notice of Sale or Transfer (735-6890) — file within 10 days so you are not liable for the vehicle after the sale.
- 4Register with the Oregon DMV.
The buyer titles and registers the vehicle, bringing Vehicle Bill of Sale (735-501). Confirm the current fees and documents on the official Oregon DMV page.
Official Oregon sources
- Oregon DMV (ODOT Driver & Motor Vehicle Services) — buying & selling a vehicle
- NHTSA — federal odometer disclosure rule
We link to primary government sources and review this page regularly, but requirements change. This is general information, not legal advice.
Oregon bill of sale by type
Get requirements and a free template tailored to Oregon for each item type — the generator applies the Oregon notary and witness rules automatically:
Oregon bill of sale — FAQ
Is a bill of sale required in Oregon?
In Oregon, a separate bill of sale is recommended. A bill of sale (735-501) documents the sale; the seller files a Notice of Sale within 10 days.
Does a Oregon bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. No notarization required.
Do I need a witness for a bill of sale in Oregon?
No. Oregon does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
How do I transfer a vehicle title in Oregon?
Seller signs the title over; the buyer titles and registers at an Oregon DMV office. Titling and registration in Oregon are handled by the Oregon DMV (ODOT Driver & Motor Vehicle Services).
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.