Oregon Revised Statutes

Or. Rev. Stat. § 803.097 (2026)

Perfection of security interest in vehicle; rules

✓ current as of May 2026
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      803.097 Perfection of security interest in vehicle; rules. (1) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, the exclusive means for perfecting a security interest in a vehicle is by application for notation of the security interest on the title in accordance with this section. The application may accompany the application for a title or may be made separately at any time prior to issuance of title and must be accompanied by evidence of ownership as defined by the Department of Transportation by rule unless the department is in possession of evidence of ownership when it receives the application. If title to the vehicle has been issued in a form other than a certificate, and the title reflects a security interest, the application for perfection shall include authorization from the previous security interest holder for the new security interest to be recorded on the title. Authorization under this subsection is not required if:

      (a) A release of interest is submitted by the prior security interest holder or the department is otherwise satisfied that the prior holder no longer holds an interest or is otherwise not entitled to title to the vehicle;

      (b) The security interest is being added to the title in conjunction with the cancellation of previous title or other action the department takes to correct ownership information reflected on a title; or

      (c) Title is being transferred by operation of law.

      (2) When the department processes an application for a security interest the department shall mark on the application or otherwise indicate on the record the date the application was first received by the department. The department shall determine by rule what constitutes receipt of an application for purposes of this subsection.

      (3) If the department has the evidence required by subsection (1) of this section and if the application contains the name of each owner of the vehicle, the name and address of the secured party and the vehicle identification number of the collateral, the security interest is perfected as of the date marked on the application or indicated in the record by the department. If the application does not contain the information required by this subsection, or if the department does not have the required evidence, the department shall indicate on the application or on the record that the date placed on the application or the record pursuant to subsection (2) of this section is not the date of perfection of the security interest.

      (4) The security interest remains effective until released or terminated by the secured party.

      (5) A security interest in a vehicle may not be perfected as described under this section but is subject to the perfection provisions under ORS chapter 79A if:

      (a) The debtor who granted the security interest is in the business of selling vehicles and the vehicle constitutes inventory held for sale or lease; or

      (b) The vehicle is exempt from titling requirements under ORS 803.030. [1987 c.750 §2; 1989 c.148 §13; 1993 c.233 §31; 2001 c.445 §184; 2001 c.675 §11a; 2003 c.655 §104; 2012 c.12 §23]

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases, 1993–2002 · leading case: Schultz v. Bank of the West, C.B.C., 934 P.2d 421 (Or. 1997).
Schultz v. Bank of the West, C.B.C., 934 P.2d 421 (Or. 1997). · cites it 8× “See also ORS 803.097(1) and (4) (except when "the debtor who granted the security interest is in the business of selling vehicles and the vehicle constitutes inventory held for sale," "the exclusive means for perfecting a security interest in a vehicle is by application for…”
Schultz v. Bank of the West, 897 P.2d 1204 (Or. Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 5× “1 Bank was assigned the security interest in the Sportscoach, which it perfected by notation on the certificate of title pursuant to ORS 803.097. On March 7, 1992, Muirs entered into an agreement with Gateleys’ Fairway Motors (Gateleys) whereby Gateleys agreed to sell the…”
Roost v. Green Tree Fin. Servicing Corp. (In re Stoerck), 227 B.R. 548 (Bankr. D. Or. 1998). · cites it 2× “ORS 803.097 provides that: The exclusive means for perfecting a security interest in a vehicle is by application for notation of the security interest on the title in accordance with this section.”
Long v. Joe Romania Chevrolet, Inc. (In Re Loken), 156 B.R. 660 (Bankr. D. Or. 1993). “100 provides that “rights and remedies of all persons in vehicles subject to security interests established under ORS 803.097 shall be determined by the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.”
Roost v. Gen. Motors Acceptance Corp. (In Re Boyer), 212 B.R. 975 (Bankr. D. Or. 1997). · cites it 2× “§ 803.097(1). If the application contains all the necessary information, and is accompanied by all the required documentation, ‘the security interest is perfected as of the date marked by the division on the application.”
McKinley v. State Dep't of Motor Vehs., 39 P.3d 920 (Or. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 3× “See ORS 803.097 (1999) (discussed below). On June 19,1997, Brian forged a bill of sale and tendered it to DMV.”
Bankamerica Hous. Servs. v. P.D.N. & Assocs., Inc., 977 P.2d 396 (Or. Ct. App. 1999). “ORS 803.097. When property is subject to the Oregon Vehicle Code, “[t]he filing of a financing statement otherwise required by ORS 79.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 803.097(1) — 3 cases
Schultz v. Bank of the West, C.B.C., 934 P.2d 421 (Or. 1997). “See also ORS 803.097(1) and (4) (except when "the debtor who granted the security interest is in the business of selling vehicles and the vehicle constitutes inventory held for sale," "the exclusive means for perfecting a security interest in a vehicle is by application for…”
Schultz v. Bank of the West, 897 P.2d 1204 (Or. Ct. App. 1995). “1 Bank was assigned the security interest in the Sportscoach, which it perfected by notation on the certificate of title pursuant to ORS 803.097. On March 7, 1992, Muirs entered into an agreement with Gateleys’ Fairway Motors (Gateleys) whereby Gateleys agreed to sell the…”
Roost v. Gen. Motors Acceptance Corp. (In Re Boyer), 212 B.R. 975 (Bankr. D. Or. 1997). “§ 803.097(1). If the application contains all the necessary information, and is accompanied by all the required documentation, ‘the security interest is perfected as of the date marked by the division on the application.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 803.097(3) — 1 case
Roost v. Gen. Motors Acceptance Corp. (In Re Boyer), 212 B.R. 975 (Bankr. D. Or. 1997). “§ 803.097(1). If the application contains all the necessary information, and is accompanied by all the required documentation, ‘the security interest is perfected as of the date marked by the division on the application.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 803.097(4) — 1 case
Schultz v. Bank of the West, C.B.C., 934 P.2d 421 (Or. 1997). “See also ORS 803.097(1) and (4) (except when "the debtor who granted the security interest is in the business of selling vehicles and the vehicle constitutes inventory held for sale," "the exclusive means for perfecting a security interest in a vehicle is by application for…”
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