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A Motor Vehicle Registration — or more simply, a car registration — connects a car to its owner for identification purposes, and is proof that the car owner has paid the required taxes and obtained the minimum auto insurance coverage required in their state. Each state requires you, by law, to register your car with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or transportation agency.
The vehicle registration process involves providing some personal information and details on your car and paying a registration fee. If you fail to register your car or renew your registration, you could face penalty fees, a ticket and possibly impoundment.
The most common scenarios wherein you’d need to register a car are:
The Oregon Transportation Department’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) oversees vehicle registration in the state. Find out more about car registration on the Oregon DMV page here.
In Oregon, you must register any cars or motor vehicles you own or operate with the Oregon Transportation Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
The first time you register your car in Oregon, you’ll receive a license plate for your vehicle and a registration card. Additionally, you will receive a registration sticker that needs to be attached to your vehicle’s license plate.
When you renew your registration, you’ll receive a new registration card. In Oregon, drivers are required to keep the registration card with them when operating a vehicle. If you drive a commercial vehicle, you can carry the digital version of the card.
To register a car in Oregon, you must:
Find out more about the requirements to register a vehicle and the personal information requirements here.
The main difference between a car title (or pink slip) and a car registration is that while the first proves your legal ownership of a vehicle, the second allows your vehicle to be driven on public roads. Both documents are mandatory in all 50 U.S. states.
Unlike the car title, which does not need to be renewed, the car registration has to be renewed every one or two years, depending on the state. In Oregon, registrations have to be renewed every year.
The car title only needs to be changed when the vehicle is sold and the owner changes, or if you have finished paying the car loan and the vehicle is now officially yours. In these cases, you must complete a transfer of ownership by transferring the title.
Learn more about your car title in Oregon here.
If you purchase a new or used vehicle at a car dealership in Oregon, the dealership will handle the vehicle registration on your behalf but will charge the applicable registration fees.
If you purchased a used car from a private seller or are a new resident of the state, you will need to obtain a car registration yourself.
To register your car in Oregon, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need here.
In Oregon, you cannot title or register your vehicle in person.
To register your vehicle, you must mail the Application for Title and registration found here along with the registration and titling fees to the following address:
DMV Services
1905 Lana Ave NE
Salem, OR 97314
The cost to register a vehicle in Oregon will depend on the age, type and weight of the vehicle, as well as your county of residence. You can pay the DMV fees as a check or money order addressed to the Oregon DMV. You can use the fee calculator found here to determine your fee amount.
If you have questions about the car registration process or require assistance, contact the Oregon Transportation Department by phone at 1 (503) 945-5000.
Or, you can send an inquiry through the DMV contact form here.
To renew your car registration in Oregon, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the documents needed to renew your registration here.
To renew your registration online, click here to access the Vehicle Registration Renewal Portal.
To renew your registration by mail, you must have received a renewal notice in the mail from the Oregon DMV or fill out a renewal application form found here. Send your notice/application along with your fee amount (in the form of a check or money order) to the Oregon DMV at the following address:
DMV Services
1905 Lana Ave NE
Salem, OR 97314
Note: If you are in a DEQ area, you will need to pass the emissions test found here before you can renew your car registration.
In addition to standard fees, you will need to pay an online service charge if you choose to renew your registration online.
If you have further questions about the vehicle registration renewal process or require assistance, contact the Oregon DMV by phone at 1 (503) 945-5000.
Or, you can send an inquiry through the DMV contact form here.
If you applied for a new vehicle registration or requested a vehicle registration renewal for your car, check the status of your application or request with the Oregon Vehicle Registration Status Check tool here.
Your registration will take 10 to 12 weeks to arrive, so do not contact the Oregon DMV with any questions before that time.
Any missing or stolen vehicle title or registration must be replaced and reported to the local authorities immediately. This includes license plates. You can replace lost or stolen title and registration documents in person or by mail.
To replace documentation online in the Oregon DMV services portal here.
To replace documentation by mail, print and complete the Duplicate Oregon Title Application here and send it to the following address:
DMV Services
1905 Lana Ave NE
Salem, OR 97314
After requesting your replacement title or registration, you can check the status of your request on the Oregon Transportation Department website.
If you move to a new address within the state, you will need to update the address on your vehicle registration within 30 days of relocation.
You can complete an address change online with the DMV here.
However, you will not receive a replacement registration card with your new address unless you request a replacement. To request a replacement registration with your new address fill out the replacement registration form here and mail it to the DMV with the $5 replacement fee in the form of a check or money order. You can mail all your documents and fees to the DMV’s main office or to your local DMV found here.
You may also request a replacement registration online here.
If you need to update your name on your registration, you must change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first. Learn more about how to change your name with the SSA here.
After changing your name with the SSA, you must visit a local DMV office in person to update your registration. Find your nearest office location and contact information here. You will need documents that confirm the legal name change, such as a marriage or divorce certificate or a court order.
Learn more about changing your name with the Oregon DMV here.
If you have recently moved to Oregon, you will need to register and title your car with the Oregon DMV within 90 days of moving to the state. Follow the same car registration steps outlined above to complete the process.
If you have not yet obtained an Oregon-issued driver’s license or ID card, you will need to provide your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number with your legal name and address to submit your car registration application.
Learn more about what to expect as a new Oregon resident here.
If you move out of Oregon, you will need to register your vehicle in your new state. Your new state may have different requirements for vehicle services. Click here to access your new state’s official DMV website for more information.
The total cost to register or renew your vehicle depends on:
Other registration and title fees include:
You will also need to pay $24.50 for vehicles that do not already have an Oregon License Plate.
To learn more about Oregon fees and penalties in 2020, click here.
For help with the car registration process, or for any further questions about your car registration, call the Oregon DMV by phone at 1 (503) 945-5000.
Or, you can send an inquiry through the DMV contact form here
You can also call the Department of Motor Vehicles at the following customer service phone numbers Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Or, visit or call a local DMV Office for further assistance. Find your nearest office location and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the car registration process and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get familiar with the process by providing useful information.
Our free Car Registration Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
