• You paid for the vehicle at sale but the dealer did not give you the title, or
• You finished making payments to the dealer but they did not give you the title with their release, or
• You were making payments to the dealer but you cannot locate them to finish payment.

• Fill out and sign an Application for Title and Registration, Form 226.  Include the name and address of your lender on lines 13 and 14, if you borrowed money to purchase the vehicle from the dealer.
• Fill out and sign a Certification of Ownership Facts, Form 550. Contact DMV for this form. Completion of this form does not guarantee issuance of a certificate of title.
  • Fully complete and sign the form or it will not be accepted. Pay close attention to the middle section and provide as much information as possible.
  • Attach all documents for consideration in your claim of ownership, such as a bill of sale from the dealer; a copy of your purchase agreement, loan contract, cancelled check, receipts, etc.
• Previous owners must release their interest.  If you are unable to locate the individual or business, you should document your attempt on the Certification of Ownership Facts.  A release of interest from a flooring company (someone who loaned money to the dealer) is not required.
  • If you are requesting a release of interest through the mail, we suggest you send your request by certified mail, restricted delivery.  If the envelope is returned unclaimed, you may submit it with your application to support your claim that you are unable to locate the previous owner.
  • A returned certified mail envelope is not acceptable in lieu of a release of interest if the individual or business is located. 
• Include the title, if one was provided to you.
• If the vehicle is not currently titled in Oregon, it will need to have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection performed by DMV. The vehicle is probably not titled in Oregon if the plates on the vehicle are from another state or if the vehicle doesn’t currently have plates.  You may contact DMV to see if the vehicle is titled in Oregon. You will need to provide the vehicle identification number.
• If the vehicle needs a VIN inspection you will need to take it to a regular or full service DMV office. A $7 fee will be charged for the service. Take all of your documents with you.
• If applying for registration and you live in the Portland Area or the Rogue Valley (Medford), you must either provide proof that the vehicle passed DEQ or get an emissions test at DEQ. You may be able to get your vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection performed while at DEQ.
• Calculate fees. DMV will not charge fees if you have proof they were already paid to the dealer. You must submit proof of payment with your application. (Make checks or money orders payable to “Oregon DMV”):
  • Title 
  • Registration and plate fee, if no plates are on the vehicle.
• Send in your title, documents, and fees.
  • Mail to the address below:

Oregon DMV
Vehicle Processing Unit 3
1905 Lana Ave NE
Salem, OR 97314, or

• Take to any full-service DMV office.