What Oregon requires in a bill of sale
Oregon does not have a single official bill of sale form that the DMV requires. Instead, Oregon law sets out what information must be in any bill of sale document you create or use. The state accepts a bill of sale as long as it includes the seller's name and address, the buyer's name and address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the year and make of the vehicle, the odometer reading, the sale price, and the date of the sale. Both the seller and buyer must sign and date the document.
You can write a bill of sale by hand on plain paper, use a template you find online, or buy a pre-printed form from an office supply store. Oregon does not require a specific format or notarization. What matters is that all the required information is present and both parties have signed it. Keep a copy for your records — you will need to bring the original or a copy when you register the vehicle at the DMV.
The bill of sale serves as proof of ownership transfer and protects both you and the buyer. For the seller, it documents that you no longer own the vehicle and are not responsible for it after the sale. For the buyer, it proves they purchased the vehicle and from whom. This becomes important if there are later disputes about the sale or if the vehicle is involved in an accident or crime after the handoff.
Key Takeaways
- Oregon law does not require a specific bill of sale form, but the document must include both parties' names and addresses, the VIN, year, make, odometer reading, sale price, and date.
- Both the seller and buyer must sign and date the bill of sale; notarization is not required by Oregon law.
- You can handwrite a bill of sale on plain paper, use an online template, or buy a pre-printed form from an office supply store.
- The buyer will need to bring the bill of sale to the DMV when registering the vehicle in their name.
- The seller should keep a copy to prove the vehicle was sold and to protect themselves from liability after the sale.
Information that must appear on the bill of sale
Seller information: Write your full legal name and your current mailing address. If you are selling on behalf of a business or estate, include the business or estate name as well.
Buyer information: Write the buyer's full legal name and their mailing address. If the buyer is purchasing on behalf of a business, include that business name.
Vehicle details: Include the vehicle identification number (VIN), which appears on the dashboard on the driver's side and on the title document. Write the year, make, and model of the vehicle. Include the odometer reading at the time of sale — Oregon law requires this to prevent odometer fraud. Write the sale price in dollars. If the vehicle is being given as a gift, write "gift" or "$0" and note that it is a gift.
Date and signatures: Write the date the sale occurred. Both the seller and buyer must sign the document in ink. Printed or digital signatures are not accepted by Oregon law. Each party should sign in the presence of the other, though Oregon does not legally require this — it straightforward makes the document stronger if there is later disagreement.
When you need a bill of sale in Oregon
You need a bill of sale whenever you buy or sell a vehicle in Oregon, whether the vehicle is new to you or used. The buyer needs it to register the vehicle at the DMV. The seller needs it as proof that ownership has transferred and that they are no longer responsible for the vehicle.
If you are buying a vehicle from a private party, ask the seller to prepare the bill of sale before you hand over money. If you are selling a vehicle, prepare it before the buyer takes possession. Some buyers and sellers exchange the bill of sale at the same time they exchange the keys and payment; others complete it at the DMV office. Either way, both parties should have a signed copy before the transaction is considered final.
If you are trading in a vehicle at a dealership, the dealership will prepare the bill of sale as part of the sale paperwork. You do not need to create one yourself in that case. The dealership's paperwork serves the same purpose.
How the bill of sale connects to Oregon title transfer
The bill of sale is one of several documents the buyer will bring to the DMV to transfer the title into their name. The buyer will also need the current title document (signed by the seller in the signature box), proof of insurance, and a completed process for Title and Registration (Form 735-14). The DMV uses the bill of sale to verify the sale price and the odometer reading, which are recorded on the new title.
The seller does not typically go to the DMV for a private sale. Instead, the seller should sign the back of the title document where it says "Signature of Previous Owner" and give it to the buyer. The buyer then takes both the signed title and the bill of sale to the DMV to complete the transfer. If the seller does not sign the title, the buyer cannot register the vehicle.
If the vehicle has a lien (meaning a bank or lender owns it until the loan is paid off), the process is different. The lender must release the lien before the title can be transferred. This usually happens automatically when the loan is paid off, but the seller should confirm with the lender that the lien has been released before signing the bill of sale.
Protecting yourself as a seller
Keep a copy of the signed bill of sale for at least three years. This protects you if the buyer later claims they never received the vehicle, if the vehicle is involved in an accident or crime, or if the buyer fails to register it and the DMV tries to contact you. The bill of sale proves you sold the vehicle and when.
Do not sign the title until you have the bill of sale signed by the buyer and you have received full payment. Some sellers prefer to sign the title and bill of sale at the same time, in front of a witness or at a public location like a bank or police station. This creates a clear record of when the sale occurred and reduces the chance of disputes.
If you are selling a vehicle with an outstanding loan, contact your lender before the sale to find out how to handle the payoff. Some lenders allow the buyer to pay them directly at closing; others require the seller to pay off the loan before the title can be transferred. Clarify this in writing before you agree to sell.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not leave any required fields blank on the bill of sale. If you do not know the odometer reading, write "unknown" rather than leaving it blank — but Oregon law requires the odometer reading, so try to get this information from the seller before you buy. Do not use a bill of sale that is missing the VIN, sale price, or either party's address.
Do not accept a bill of sale that is not signed by the seller in ink. Printed signatures, initials, or unsigned documents are not valid under Oregon law. If the seller refuses to sign, do not complete the purchase.
Do not assume the bill of sale is complete just because it has both signatures. Before you leave, verify that all required information is filled in correctly. Check the VIN against the title document to make sure it matches. If you are the buyer, keep your copy and bring it with you when you go to the DMV.
Where to find a bill of sale form
Oregon does not publish an official bill of sale form on the DMV website. You can create your own by hand, read a template from a legal document website, or buy a pre-printed form at an office supply store. Common sources include Nolo, LegalZoom, and local office supply chains. Make sure any template you use includes all the information Oregon law requires: both parties' names and addresses, VIN, year, make, odometer reading, sale price, and date.
Some banks and credit unions offer bill of sale forms to their customers. If you are financing the vehicle through a bank, ask whether they have a form you can use. The form does not have to come from the DMV or a government agency — it just has to contain the required information and be signed by both parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oregon require the bill of sale to be notarized?
No. Oregon law does not require notarization of a bill of sale. Both parties must sign in ink, but a notary public does not need to witness the signatures. Notarization is optional and does not change the legal validity of the document.
What if I lost my copy of the bill of sale after the sale?
Contact the other party and ask for a copy. If you cannot reach them, you can request a copy of the title transfer record from the Oregon DMV, which will show the sale date and price. This is not the same as the bill of sale, but it serves as proof that the transfer occurred.
Can I use a bill of sale if the vehicle has a loan against it?
Yes, but the lender must release the lien before the title can be transferred. The bill of sale itself is still valid. The seller should contact the lender to confirm the lien will be released at or before closing, and this should be noted in writing in the bill of sale or in a separate agreement.
What if the buyer and I disagree on the sale price after we sign the bill of sale?
The bill of sale is a binding record of the agreed-upon price at the time of sale. If you both signed it, that price is what was agreed to. If there is a dispute, the bill of sale is the evidence of what was actually agreed. This is why it is important to make sure the price is correct before you sign.
Do I need a bill of sale if I am giving a vehicle as a gift?
Yes. Even if no money is exchanged, Oregon law requires a bill of sale for title transfer. Write "gift" or "$0" in the sale price field and note that the vehicle is being given as a gift. Both the giver and receiver must still sign the document.