Title to a car is the official record and proof of ownership of the car. Transferring the title to a car is necessary when a seller sells the car to a buyer—or when divorcing spouses are transferring the title from both spouses to one spouse. Your state’s department of motor vehicles will usually make the forms necessary to transfer the title/change vehicle ownership available on its website—with some additional information to guide you through the process.
In Oregon, the title to a car is a legal document that establishes a person or entity as the legal owner of the vehicle. When a car is sold, given as a gift, inherited, or if there is a change in ownership due to divorce, the title must be transferred to the new owner. The Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV) provides the necessary forms and instructions for transferring a title on its website. The process typically involves filling out an Application for Title and Registration, paying a title transfer fee, and submitting any additional required documentation, such as a bill of sale or a release of interest from the previous owner. Both the seller and the buyer must complete the appropriate sections of the title to document the transfer. If the transfer is due to divorce, the divorce decree may need to be presented to show the change in ownership. It's important to complete the transfer promptly to avoid potential legal issues and to ensure that the vehicle's ownership records are up to date.