Oregon does not publish a single DMV release of interest form. Instead, the DMV accepts the signed back of the title, a bill of sale, or a plain written statement, as long as the document identifies the vehicle, carries an original signature from every person giving up ownership, states that interest is being released, and shows the date of sale. The release travels with the buyer’s title application; it is never submitted on its own.
Oregon law gives the buyer 30 days from the transfer date to apply for a new title. Before the DMV issues that title, every prior owner and lienholder listed on the record has to release their interest in writing. Miss one signature and the transaction stops until the paperwork is fixed.
What Counts as a Release of Interest
You have several options, and none of them require a DMV-specific form:
- The current Oregon title itself, signed in the release or assignment section on the back.
- A bill of sale. The DMV publishes Form 735-501, but any bill of sale works if it contains the required elements.
- A written statement or letter releasing interest in the vehicle.
- A completed Secure Odometer Disclosure that meets Oregon’s requirements.
- A court order or repossession certificate in contested situations.
Invoices, purchase agreements, and purchase orders are not accepted, even when they name the vehicle and the price. The document has to be an original with a wet signature. Photocopies and carbon copies are rejected, with narrow exceptions for Secure Odometer Disclosures and Secure Powers of Attorney. Notarization is not required.
What the Release Must Include
Oregon Administrative Rule 735-020-0075 requires four elements on any release, whichever document you use:
- A vehicle description with at least the license plate number, VIN, or title number. Adding the make and model year helps.
- The full name and original signature of every person releasing interest.
- The date of sale or transfer.
- Language showing that ownership was transferred or interest released. “I release all interest in this vehicle” is enough.
Including the buyer’s name is recommended but not mandatory.
Signature Rules
Signature problems are one of the most common reasons paperwork comes back. The rules depend on who is signing.
Individuals. The signature must match the name printed on the title. Cursive is not required; a hand-printed signature is fine, and a mark such as an “X” is accepted. A signature is rejected only when it clearly belongs to a different person.
Businesses and dealerships. The document has to show the business name together with the signature of an authorized representative, formatted along the lines of “Auto World by [signature]” or “[signature] for Auto World.” Listing a title such as Manager or Agent is not required, though it can help establish authority.
Lienholders. A security interest holder should sign the release directly on the title when the title is available. Financial institutions must include their unique line stamp where one exists. If the title is unavailable, the lienholder can submit a Statement of Lien Satisfaction (Form 735-524) or an equivalent letter on company letterhead that identifies the vehicle by VIN and states the lien has been satisfied.
Special Situations
Partial Release: Adding an Owner Without Leaving
If you are staying on the title and simply adding another owner, no separate release document is needed. You authorize the change by signing the new title application that lists the additional owner, or by signing a written document that identifies and permits adding that person. This is the typical route for adding a spouse or family member.
Lost or Destroyed Title
When the title is missing, the seller cannot sign the release section on a document that no longer exists. The process runs in two steps. First, the registered owner applies for a replacement title using Form 735-515. That application does not itself release interest, and the form says so on its face. Second, the owner provides a separate written release of interest that meets the standard content and signature requirements. If the vehicle falls under federal odometer disclosure rules (Model Year 2011 or newer, for 2026), the replacement title has to be issued first so that the seller and buyer can complete the odometer disclosure on it before transferring.
After an Owner Dies
When the owner has died and the estate is not being probated, the DMV requires an Inheritance Affidavit (Form 735-516) signed by all heirs, along with the title if available, an application for title, and the transfer fee. A guardian signing for a minor heir must attach a copy of the court papers establishing guardianship. Who counts as an heir is determined by ORS Chapter 112; the DMV will not make that call and the form recommends consulting an attorney if there is any doubt. For probated estates, the executor or administrator signs on behalf of the deceased owner and provides letters testamentary or letters of administration from the probate court.
How to Submit It
The release goes in with the buyer’s full title packet: the completed Application for Title and Registration (Form 735-226), the release document, the old title if available, any lien releases, and the fees. You have two ways to submit:
- By mail to DMV Headquarters, 1905 Lana Avenue NE, Salem, OR 97314. Do not send title paperwork to a local field office by mail; it will not be processed there.
- In person at any local DMV field office. Headquarters in Salem does not handle in-person transactions.
Processing currently runs about two to three weeks, though the timeline shifts with volume. Check the DMV’s titling and registration page for current wait times before following up.
Title Fees and Late Penalties
The title fee for passenger vehicles and trucks 26,000 pounds or less is tied to fuel economy:
- 0–19 MPG combined: $101
- 20–39 MPG combined: $106
- 40 MPG or higher: $116
- All-electric vehicles: $192
These same amounts apply to original, duplicate, and replacement titles. Filing more than 30 days after the sale of an Oregon-titled vehicle adds a late transfer fee: $25 between days 31 and 60, and $50 after day 60.
Penalties for False Information
Signing a release or supporting document with information you know to be false is a crime. Under ORS 162.085, knowingly making a false written statement to a public servant in connection with an application for any benefit is unsworn falsification, a Class B misdemeanor. Submitting a false application for a replacement title is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $6,250, up to one year in jail, or both. The heavier charge attaches when the false statement is on the title application itself rather than on a supporting document such as the release.