Deal with a vehicle in Oregon
You need to continue regular car payments, maintain vehicle registration, and then transfer the car's ownership. You cannot drive the car unless you have proper registration, and penalties will be charged if this is not done on time.
Title has Survivorship
Survivorship indicates the vehicle is under co-ownership (the title is in the name of multiple people). If two individuals have a title under survivorship and one of the co-owners dies, the living co-owner may apply for a new title under their name alone.
The following must be provided to the DMV:
A completed Application for Title and Registration
The Oregon title, if available
Proof of death for the deceased owner (copy of the death certificate, funeral notice, or obituary)
If all owners are changing, an odometer disclosure (if required)
Original releases or bills of sale from previous, living owners
Original lien releases from previous security interest holders
The appropriate title fee
Title Does Not have Survivorship and Estate is Not Probated
In the case the deceased individual does not have survivorship on the vehicle title and the estate is not probated, the following must be provided to the DMV for title transfer:
A completed Application for Title and Registration
The Oregon title, if available
Notarized Inheritance Affidavit(s) completed by all heirs (all heirs do not have to be on the same form)
If all owners are changing, an odometer disclosure (if required)
Original releases or bills of sale from previous, living owners
Original lien releases from previous security interest holders
The appropriate title fee
Title Does Not have Survivorship and Estate is Being Probated
In the case the deceased individual does not have survivorship on the vehicle title and the estate is being probated, the following must be provided to the DMV for title transfer:
A completed Application for Title and Registration
The Oregon title, if available
A copy of the court-issued Letters of Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or other document appointing the personal representative of the estate
If all owners are changing, an odometer disclosure (if required)
An original release or bill of sale from the personal representative of the estate
Original releases or bills of sale from previous, living owners
Original lien releases from previous security interest holders
The appropriate title fee
Title Does Not have Survivorship and Estate is Being Probated but is Now Closed
In the case the deceased individual does not have survivorship on the vehicle title and the estate is being probated but is now closed, the following must be provided to the DMV for title transfer:
A completed Application for Title and Registration
The Oregon title, if available
A copy of the court-issued Decree of Final Distribution (must show who was awarded the vehicle)
If all owners are changing, an odometer disclosure (if required)
Original releases or bills of sale from previous, living owners
Original lien releases from previous security interest holders
The appropriate title fee
Registration
In addition to the requirements listed for each of the above sections, the following must also be provided to the DMV:
Proof of compliance, or exemption from the Low Emissions Vehicle requirement (if the vehicle does not already have plates)
A Certificate of Compliance for passing an emissions test at DEQ if your vehicle is required to be tested and you live in a DEQ area
Plate choice (if the vehicle does not have plates or if you want a different plate)
The appropriate registration fee based on the plate choice