How to Get and Fill Out Oregon's Bill of Sale Form

Oregon uses Form 735-2203 for vehicle bill of sale

Oregon's official bill of sale form is Form 735-2203, published by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). You can read it as a PDF directly from the ODOT website, or pick up a printed copy at any DMV office. The form works for buying or selling any vehicle — car, truck, motorcycle, or RV — and is the document the DMV will ask for when you transfer the title into your name.

The form is free and has no expiration date. You do not need to use ODOT's version specifically — Oregon law allows a bill of sale on plain paper as long as it contains the required information — but using the official form makes the DMV process faster because staff recognize it when ready and know all necessary fields are present.

You can also find the form through the ODOT Forms page by searching "735-2203" or "bill of sale." Some county DMV offices keep printed stacks at the front desk, so if you are transferring a title in person, you can ask for one while you are there.

Key Takeaways

Oregon's official bill of sale is Form 735-2203, available as a free PDF read from ODOT or in print at any DMV office.
The form requires the seller's and buyer's names and addresses, the vehicle identification number (VIN), odometer reading, sale price, and date of sale.
Both the buyer and seller must sign and date the form in front of a notary public for the DMV to accept it as proof of ownership transfer.
You will need the completed, notarized bill of sale when you submit your title transfer process to Oregon DMV, along with the original title and a completed process for Title and Registration (Form 735-2240).

What information goes on the form

Form 735-2203 has spaces for both parties' full legal names, mailing addresses, and phone numbers. The seller fills in their information in the top section; the buyer fills in theirs below. Do not use nicknames or shortened versions of names — match what appears on the seller's current title exactly.

The vehicle section requires the VIN (the 17-character number on the title and dashboard), the year, make, and model, the current odometer reading, and the sale price in dollars. If the vehicle is being given as a gift, write "gift" or "$0" in the price field — Oregon does not charge sales tax on gifts, but the DMV still needs to know the transaction type.

The date of sale is the day the buyer and seller agree the ownership changes hands. This does not have to be the day you sign the form, but it should be recent — the DMV may question a bill of sale dated months before the title transfer process.

Notarization is required before the DMV will accept it

Both the seller and buyer must sign the bill of sale in front of a notary public. The notary will watch both of you sign, verify your identification, and then stamp and sign the form themselves. This step is mandatory in Oregon — a bill of sale with only the seller's and buyer's signatures, even if witnessed by friends, will not be accepted at the DMV.

You can find a notary at most banks (often free if you have an account), credit unions, UPS stores, FedEx locations, and some libraries. Some notaries charge $5 to $15 per signature. Call ahead to confirm they are available and what ID they require — a driver's license or passport is standard.

If the seller lives out of state or out of the country, you may be able to use a notary in their location and mail the signed form to yourself, or use a remote notary service (though Oregon DMV staff should confirm they will accept remote notarization before you pay for it). The safest approach is to call your local DMV office and ask what they will take.

How to submit the bill of sale to Oregon DMV

You cannot submit the bill of sale by itself — it is one of three required documents for a title transfer. You will also need the original title (signed by the seller in the assignment section) and a completed process for Title and Registration (Form 735-2240).

You can submit all three documents in person at any Oregon DMV office, by mail to the address listed on the ODOT website, or through an authorized third-party agent (some title companies and DMV service centers offer this). If you mail the documents, include a check or money order for the title transfer fee (currently $96 for most vehicles, though fees vary slightly by vehicle type) and keep a copy of everything for your records.

Processing time is usually 5 to 10 business days if you submit in person, or 2 to 3 weeks by mail. You will receive your new title in the mail once the transfer is complete.

What to do if you cannot find the seller to notarize

If the seller has moved, is unreachable, or refuses to notarize the bill of sale, you have limited options. Oregon does not have a process to transfer a title without the seller's signature on the bill of sale or title assignment. You cannot proceed with the transfer until both parties have signed in front of a notary.

If you purchased the vehicle and the seller is now unavailable, contact your local DMV office to ask about your specific situation. Some offices may direct you to small claims court or suggest you consult a lawyer about your purchase agreement, but the DMV itself cannot override the notarization requirement.

Filling out the form on a computer vs. by hand

Form 735-2203 can be filled out on a computer before printing, or by hand with black or blue ink. If you fill it out digitally, print it on standard white paper and make sure all text is legible — the DMV will reject forms with smudged, faded, or illegible entries.

If you fill it out by hand, use a pen (not pencil) and write clearly in the boxes provided. Do not cross out mistakes — if you make an error, print a fresh copy or ask the notary if they can initial a small correction. Some notaries will accept a single-line correction initialed by both parties, but it is cleaner to start over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a bill of sale from another state?

No. Oregon DMV requires Form 735-2203 or a bill of sale that contains all the same information (VIN, odometer, sale price, both signatures notarized). A bill of sale from another state may not have Oregon's required fields and will likely be rejected. read the Oregon form and have both parties sign it in front of an Oregon notary.

What if the vehicle has a lien on it?

The bill of sale should still be completed the same way. However, the seller's lender must release the lien before the title can be transferred to you. The seller is responsible for paying off the loan and getting a lien release from the bank or finance company. You cannot register the vehicle in your name until the lien is removed from the title.

Do I need the bill of sale if I inherit a vehicle?

No. Inherited vehicles use a different process — you will need a death certificate, the original title, and a completed process for Title and Registration. Contact your local DMV office for the specific forms and steps for inheritance transfers.

Can I notarize the bill of sale myself if I am a notary?

No. Oregon law prohibits a notary from notarizing a document to which they are a party. If you are the buyer or seller, you must use a different notary. This rule exists to prevent fraud and may support the notarization is impartial.

How long is the bill of sale good for after it is notarized?

There is no official expiration date, but Oregon DMV expects the bill of sale to be recent — typically within 30 days of when you submit the title transfer process. If more than a few months have passed, the DMV may ask questions about the delay. Submit your title transfer process as soon as possible after the bill of sale is notarized.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.