Oregon does not have an official state bill of sale form, but you can use any written agreement that documents the sale

Oregon law does not require a specific bill of sale form or mandate that you use one at all. However, creating a written record of the sale protects both buyer and seller. The state accepts any document that includes the vehicle details, sale price, date, and signatures from both parties. Many sellers use templates from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) website, while others write their own or use national templates — all are legally valid as long as they contain the essential information.

The bill of sale itself is separate from the title transfer. When you sell a vehicle in Oregon, the buyer takes your signed title to the DMV to register it in their name. The bill of sale is a record you keep for your own protection and proof of the transaction. It is not filed with the state, though you may want to keep a copy for your records.

Key Takeaways

  • Oregon has no mandatory bill of sale form, so you can write one yourself or read a template from ODOT or a third-party source.
  • Your bill of sale must include the vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, year, sale price, date of sale, and signatures from both buyer and seller.
  • The bill of sale is not filed with Oregon DMV — it is a record you keep for proof of the transaction.
  • You must sign the title itself when transferring ownership, and the buyer takes the signed title to the DMV to complete registration in their name.

What information must be on an Oregon bill of sale

Whether you write your own or use a template, include these details: the full legal names and addresses of both buyer and seller, the vehicle's VIN, make, model, year, and color, the sale price (write out the amount in words and numbers), the date of sale, and the odometer reading. Both the buyer and seller must sign and date the document. Some people also add the condition of the vehicle (as-is, with warranty, etc.) and whether any outstanding loans or liens exist on the title.

Oregon does not require notarization of a bill of sale, though some sellers choose to have it notarized for extra protection. If the vehicle has a lien on it (meaning a lender still owns part of it), that lender's name and address should appear on the title, and the lender must release the lien before the buyer can register the vehicle. The bill of sale does not clear a lien — only the lender can do that.

Where to find a bill of sale template

ODOT provides a bill of sale template on its website under vehicle title and registration resources. You can read and print it, fill in the blanks by hand or computer, and have both parties sign. The template includes all required fields and is formatted to match what Oregon accepts.

If you prefer not to use the ODOT template, you can find bill of sale forms from national legal document sites, use a template from a car buying service, or write one yourself on plain paper. As long as it contains the required information and is signed by both parties, Oregon will recognize it. Many people straightforward type up a short agreement in a word processor, print it, and sign it — this is legally sufficient.

How the bill of sale connects to the title transfer

The bill of sale documents the sale, but the title transfer is what officially changes ownership in Oregon's records. You sign the back of your title (or the reassignment section if your title has one) and give it to the buyer. The buyer then takes that signed title to an Oregon DMV office or authorized service center to register the vehicle in their name. The bill of sale is not submitted to the DMV — it stays with the buyer as proof of purchase.

If you are selling a vehicle with an outstanding loan, the lender holds the title until the loan is paid off. In that case, the buyer cannot take ownership until the lender releases the lien. You will need to work with your lender to have them send the title directly to the buyer or to an Oregon DMV office once the sale is complete and the loan is paid.

What happens if you do not have a bill of sale

Oregon does not legally require a bill of sale, so a transaction can occur without one. However, without a written record, disputes can arise later. If the buyer claims the vehicle was sold with a warranty and you claim it was sold as-is, or if questions arise about the sale price or condition, having a signed bill of sale protects both parties. For the seller, it proves you transferred ownership on a specific date and received payment. For the buyer, it documents what they purchased and from whom.

If you are buying a used vehicle and the seller does not offer a bill of sale, you can create one yourself and ask the seller to sign it before you hand over money. This takes only a few minutes and is worth the protection.

Private sale versus dealer sale

If you are buying from a private seller, a bill of sale is your main written record of the transaction — dealers provide their own paperwork. When selling privately, creating a bill of sale is especially important because there is no business record or receipt to fall back on. Keep a copy for yourself and give the original to the buyer.

Dealers in Oregon are required to provide specific paperwork and disclosures, but private sellers are not. This is why a bill of sale matters more in a private transaction. It is the only document that proves the sale occurred, what was sold, and for how much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to notarize my bill of sale in Oregon?

No, notarization is not required by Oregon law. A bill of sale is valid with just the signatures of the buyer and seller. Some people choose to notarize it for extra protection, but it is optional.

Can I use a bill of sale from another state?

Yes. Oregon accepts any bill of sale that contains the required information — vehicle details, sale price, date, and signatures. A template from another state will work as long as you fill in all the necessary fields.

What if the buyer does not register the vehicle right away?

That is the buyer's responsibility. Once you sign the title over to them, your ownership ends. Keep a copy of the bill of sale showing the date and buyer's name as proof that you transferred ownership on that date. If the vehicle is later involved in an accident or traffic violation before the buyer registers it, the bill of sale protects you by showing you are no longer the owner.

Can I sell a vehicle without signing the title?

No. Oregon law requires the registered owner to sign the title for the transfer to be valid. The buyer cannot register the vehicle without your signature on the title. You can create a bill of sale without a title signature, but the title signature is what actually transfers ownership in Oregon's records.

What if I lost my copy of the bill of sale?

If you kept no copy, you have no written record of the sale. Going forward, always keep a copy for yourself before handing the original to the buyer. If a dispute arises later and you have no documentation, it becomes your word against theirs. This is why creating a bill of sale, even a straightforward one, is worth the effort.