Chapter F
Chapter F
Ownership Documents
Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)
DMV requires a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) to be submitted with all title
applications for new vehicles. An MCO is also required for any reconstructed motor truck
built using a component (glider) kit, which has not previously been titled or registered in
Oregon or another jurisdiction. If a vehicle is built in more than one stage (for example,
most motor homes), DMV requires all MCOs to be submitted when initial title is applied for.
NOTE: An approved car rental company may submit an application to register a vehicle
through EVR without an MCO in order to be issued plates and stickers. The car rental
company must be an Oregon licensed dealer and must have communicated with DMV
concerning this process. All transactions submitted by a car rental company that are not
submitted through EVR must have the MCO with the transaction.
What MCO must include
• The year, model, make, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle,
• The manufacturer of the vehicle with the manufacturer’s signature, and
• An assignment of ownership from the manufacturer (notarization not required).
Low Emissions Vehicles (LEV)
Beginning with model year 2009, Oregon requires passenger vehicles registered under
ORS 803.420(1) with 7,500 miles or less on the odometer, to prove compliance with the
low emissions vehicle (LEV) requirement to obtain registration, unless they are otherwise
exempt. These are regular passenger vehicles, not government-exempt, electric, hybrid or
other vehicles registered under different sub-sections of ORS 803.420. Certain statements
on MCOs prove LEV compliance. Acceptable LEV language on the MCO includes any of
the statements listed below.
• This vehicle conforms to (or with) U.S. EPA and State of California regulations.
• This vehicle conforms to (or with) U.S. EPA regulations and is certified for sale in
California.
• This vehicle has a California emission system.
• This vehicle meets/satisfies California emission standards.
• This vehicle is certified/legal for sale in California.
• This vehicle is certified/legal for sale in all 50 states.
Also acceptable on the MCO is a similar statement that clearly indicates the vehicle
complies with California emission standards or Oregon LEV Program standards.
For other ways to prove LEV compliance, exemptions from LEV compliance, and related
information, see these Chapters:
• Chapter D, Miscellaneous Title Application Information
• Chapter K, Registration
• Chapter L, Vehicle Types
Who can issue an MCO
The manufacturer of the vehicle must issue the MCO, unless the manufacturer has
authorized someone else to issue it.
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Oregon titles
An Oregon Certificate of Title, Form 410, must be obtained or applied for before DMV can
issue registration.
The VIN on a certificate of title follows the frame of the vehicle and not the body or motor.
The frame is basic to a vehicle, but a motor and body are interchangeable. A certificate of
title does not need to accompany the sale of a motor.
DMV mails the Oregon title to the security interest holder, or lessor, if there is one, to keep
until the security interest or lease has been satisfied. If there is no security interest holder
or lessor, DMV mails the title to the primary registered owner.
An Oregon title is valid until:
• A later title is issued by Oregon DMV, or
• A later title is issued by another state or jurisdiction, or
• It is cancelled by Oregon DMV.
When a vehicle has been totaled, destroyed, dismantled, or substantially altered, the
Oregon title must be surrendered to DMV.
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Middle section
The middle section can be used by the registered owner to apply for a new title, without
completing a separate application, when the only change is to remove a security interest
holder. Only one registered owner is required to sign this section and send the title to
DMV with the title fee. The title will be mailed to the address on the customer’s file. (See
section titled, “Customer Name, Number, and Address,” Chapter A.)
This section does not release interest in the vehicle. To release interest and disclose
odometer, the registered owner must use the reassignment area on the back of the title.
Bottom section
The name and address of security interest holders are printed in this section. The security
interest holder indicates their release in this section.
Back
Contains application instructions, odometer instructions, seller notice requirements,
survivorship information, and title brand information.
Reassignment
There is one reassignment area which must be completed by the owner(s) shown on the
title (seller) and the buyer of the vehicle. The seller must provide the buyer’s printed
name, address, and date of sale or transfer. If the vehicle is subject to odometer, the
seller must complete the odometer disclosure area. Not all owners are required to provide
their release on the title itself, but may sign a separate release or bill of sale. At least one
buyer must print and sign their name to indicate they are aware of and agree with the
odometer disclosure provided by the seller.
Lien
The security interest holder to be recorded and shown on the new title may be indicated in
this space and must also be listed on the Application for Title.
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(Front)
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(Back)
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Lavender color
Size is 7” X 8”. DMV discontinued issuance in January 1992. There are still valid titles of
this design in circulation.
Green border
Size is 7” X 8”. There are still valid titles of this design in circulation.
Out-of-state titles
Oregon requires submission of the current out-of-state certificate of title, salvage title, or
salvage certificate with an application for Oregon title for a vehicle from another state.
The only exception is if the state does not issue certificates of title, salvage titles, or
salvage certificates. If the state does not issue these ownership documents, DMV requires
other acceptable proofs of ownership.
Security interest holders and releases
All titles list the registered owner. Most list liens or security interest holder information. All
titles provide a place for the registered owner(s) to release interest and most titles provide
a place for the security interest holder(s) to release interest.
Each state may differ in its ownership structure. Some of the ownership structures you
may see are as follows:
• John Doe and Mary Doe • John Doe/Mary Doe
• John Doe and/or Mary Doe • John Doe and Mary Doe JTRS
• John Doe or Mary Doe • John Doe and Mary Doe JTWROS
(JTRS and JTWROS both mean Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship.)
In addition to these varied formats, the release of ownership varies from state to state.
Some states have an additional form for the security interest holder’s release.
Some states issue a non-negotiable title to the registered owner and a negotiable title to
the security interest holder. Oregon DMV requires submission of the negotiable title.
Certificates for vehicles that are junk or non-repairable, etc
Some states also issue “Non-Repairable Vehicle Certificates,” “Junk” certificates, and/or
titles that carry some other brand that indicates the vehicle is not to be retitled or that the
vehicle has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap.
When an ownership document for a vehicle from another jurisdiction contains a word,
term, brand, or notation indicating the vehicle is not intended to be retitled, DMV will not
issue an Oregon title.
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The following are some terms that indicate that DMV cannot issue a title:
• Destroyed, • Non-repairable,
• Dismantled, • Parts only,
• Hulk, • Scrap,
• Junk, • Wreck, or
• Non-rebuildable, • Wrecker only
NOTE: DMV will not title a vehicle if the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System
(NMVTIS) shows a disposition of “SCRAP” or “CRUSHED” in the vehicle history unless the
vehicle was subsequently sold by the reporting party.
To purchase an NMVTIS report go to: https://www.vehiclehistory.gov/index.html.
Bonded titles
When an applicant has possession of a vehicle but is unable to provide adequate
documentation to establish ownership, some states issue titles with a “Bonded” brand that
includes an expiration date. The state requires a bond, which will remain in effect for a
specific period. If, during that time, no claim is made to recover the bond, the brand can
be removed from the title.
Oregon DMV does not have authority to issue a branded title when receiving an
application for title for a vehicle with a bonded title. Oregon DMV accepts bonded titles as
valid ownership documents and issues an Oregon title with no brand or indication of a
bond. However, a Certification of Ownership Facts, DMV Form 550, must accompany an
application for Oregon title when a bonded title is submitted as the ownership document. If
additional evidence of ownership is available, it must be submitted with the application and
certification forms.
Other states’ requirements
Oregon DMV MAY follow the requirements specified by other states for their titles if
DMV can determine what those requirements are. You may contact DMV Customer
Assistance (see contact information in the Foreword), or the individual state that issued the
title for information regarding releases and forms required to process your documents.
See Chapter E, Releases of Interest, for California Certificate of Title or separate lien
release requirements. The laws followed must be from one state; for example, Oregon
DMV will not accept half of the transaction documents from California and half of them
from Oregon. If DMV cannot determine the other state’s requirements, the customer will
be asked to obtain a title in the other state first. Then they may apply for Oregon title. See
the “Reference Sources” section below for publications that provide information on title
requirements for various states.
Reference Sources – requirements in other states
There are publications that provide information on title requirements in various states.
Oregon DMV is aware of manuals published by R.L. Polk, Peck, and N.A.D.A. (there may
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be others). These manuals contain information for each state in the U.S. In addition to
driver license and miscellaneous information for each state, the manuals contain
information regarding:
• Titles and supporting documents
• Application for title and transfer of ownership
• Application for registration
• Registration fees and taxes
• Security interest and repossession
• Operation of law
All three of these manuals list addresses and telephone numbers for each state’s DMV.
Contact information for ordering the publications is below.
Formerly Polk’s Motor Vehicle Registration Manual
World Data Corporation
214 South Broadway, Suite 210
Lake Orion, MI 48362
(248) 693-3900
http://www.worlddatanow.com
Peck’s Title Book
Stephens-Peck, Inc.
Publishers of Peck’s Title Book
PO Box 1199
Kamus, UT 84036-1199
1-801-562-0843
http://www.peckstitlebook.us
N.A.D.A. Title and Registration Textbook
NADAguides.
PO Box 7800
Costa Mesa CA 92628
1-800-966-6232
https://www.nadaguides.com
AAA Digest of Motor Laws contains general information about motor vehicle laws and lists
the DMV addresses and telephone numbers for each state. You may buy the AAA Digest
of Motor Laws from your local AAA.
Imported vehicles
Imported vehicle transactions have the same basic requirements as other vehicles, plus a
few additional requirements.
Requirements to title a vehicle imported from out of country, including Canada, are:
• Ownership document
• VIN inspection
• Odometer disclosure (if applicable)
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Military
Personnel stationed overseas may have had an ownership document issued to them by
the military, the country where they were stationed, or may have the original title from
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another state. It is possible for them to have more than one type of ownership document
at one time. If this is a trade-in vehicle, ask your customer if they (or their lien holder) have
additional ownership documents.
Other countries
Ownership documents on used vehicles imported from different countries vary
substantially. An applicant must provide whatever evidence of ownership they may have
including any foreign registration or title documents, or import papers.
DMV may not be able to read enough of a foreign document to determine ownership. If
DMV cannot interpret the documents, the customer or dealer will be asked to provide an
interpretation. The interpretation must include a certification from the interpreter that it is a
true and accurate interpretation of the ownership document.
If the ownership documents are submitted but not all title requirements are met, DMV will
not accept the transaction unless there is a security interest holder on the application.
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registration. This means that dealers, brokers and/or individuals may have to register the
vehicle in Canada before applying for title in Oregon. If they are unable or unwilling to do
so, DMV will not issue an Oregon title.
DEQ
Oregon DEQ requirements should not be confused with EPA requirements. Even if DMV
has received information that federal vehicle emission standards have been met, if the
vehicle is registered in a DEQ testing area, DMV must also have a current Oregon DEQ
Certificate of Compliance. New vehicles are exempt from DEQ requirements.
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MCO, the release of interest must be from the party named on the front of the MCO, as
well as any interim owners listed on the back of the MCO.
Fees
The fees for a vehicle imported from out of country are the same as for any vehicle that is
new to Oregon.
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The letter must be accompanied with a certification that the vehicle has been
modified and complies with federal vehicle standards. A Certification of Compliance
with Federal Emission and Safety Standards, Form 7286, can be used for this
purpose.
5. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Form CF7501 or CBP7501, Entry Summary,
that contains:
• A vehicle description that includes the year, model, make, and vehicle
identification number, and
• An approval stamp or signature of an authorized U.S. Customs and Border
Protection agent.
Forms CF7501 or CBP7501 are not required for imported vehicles that do not need
proof of compliance with federal safety and emissions standards.
The CF7501 or CBP7501 forms are not acceptable as proof of compliance if the
vehicle was imported on a temporary basis. A temporary import can be identified by
use of the term “Chapter 98,” “TIB,” or the number 23 as the entry type code in Box
2 or anywhere in the body of the document. These vehicles are only authorized to
remain in the U.S. for a period not to exceed 1 year and must be exported at the
end of the approval period. They are not eligible for an Oregon title or registration.
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Motorcycles/Mopeds
If an MCO for a motorcycle/moped contains a VIN beginning with a digit other than 1, 4, or
5, that is only an indicator that the vehicle was manufactured by a U.S. manufacturer and
proof of compliance with federal vehicle standards (both federal safety and federal
emissions standards) is still required, unless the transaction is accompanied by a dealer
certification form, a letter from the manufacturer, or an MCO from a major manufacturer.
DMV recognizes the following major manufacturers:
Aprilia, BMW, Bombardier, Buell, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki,
Moto Guzzi, Norton, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, Victory, Yamaha.
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DMV will not issue registration for imported motorcycles or mopeds unless proof of
compliance with federal safety and emissions standards is submitted with the application
(unless recognized as a major manufacturer). If proof of compliance is not submitted,
DMV will only issue a title for these vehicles.
Note: If the MCO includes a statement that indicates the vehicle does not meet
federal standards or was manufactured for off-road use, DMV must receive an
original letter from the manufacturer indicating the motorcycle or moped can be
modified to meet federal safety and emission standards for on-road use. For more
information about proofs of compliance for motorcycles/mopeds, see section titled
“Acceptable forms of proof,” in this chapter.
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Example B
BRITISH COLUMBIA REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
Example C
ONTARIO REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
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