Oregon Boat, RV & Powersports Guide

Private-party title transfer, registration, lien search, sales tax, and USCG documentation rules for Oregon.

Title Required

✅ Yes

State issues boat title

Bill of Sale

✅ Required

For all transfers

Sales Tax

None

On boat purchases

State Agency

Official Site ↗

Title & Registration in Oregon

Oregon requires a certificate of title for boats and personal watercraft. When you purchase a vessel, the seller must sign the title over to you. You then have a limited window to apply for a new title in your name.

Oregon has no sales tax. Apply for an Oregon title at a DMV office within 30 days with the out-of-state title and registration application.

Lien Search in Oregon

Before completing any private-party purchase, run a lien search to confirm the vessel has no outstanding loans or encumbrances.

Oregon Official Lien Search ↗

For USCG-documented vessels, also search the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC).

Bill of Sale Requirements

Oregon requires a bill of sale to transfer title. Your bill of sale should include:

Hull Identification Number (HIN) or VIN
Make, model, and year of the vessel
Full legal names and addresses of buyer and seller
Purchase price and date of sale
Odometer reading (motorhomes/RVs)
Signatures of both parties
Notarization if required by Oregon

Sales Tax on Boats & Powersports in Oregon

Oregon has no state sales tax on boat or powersports purchases. This makes it a popular state for large vessel transactions.

USCG Documentation in Oregon

Oregon's Pacific coastline means USCG documentation is common for offshore recreational and commercial vessels.

USCG-documented vessels carry a Certificate of Documentation (COD) issued by the National Vessel Documentation Center. This is recognized internationally and is preferred by lenders for boats over 26 ft. Even with USCG documentation, Oregon may still require state registration for operation on in-state waters.

Apply for USCG Documentation →