What county is Salem in, and which office handles title transfers?
Salem is in Marion County. Title transfers are handled by the Oregon DMV – Salem Office at 1905 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (503) 945-5000.
City release page
Salem, Oregon Truck Bill of Sale
Use this bill of sale when selling a truck in Salem, Oregon. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.
Salem, OregonTruckPopulation rank #141
What to include
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Truck VIN and vehicle details
- Sale price and date
- Signatures from both parties
Next step
Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.
Local Requirements — Marion County
DMV / Title Office
Oregon DMV – Salem Office
Address
1905 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Phone
(503) 945-5000
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Transfer Fees & Taxes
Title Transfer Fee
$77.00
Sales Tax Rate
0.00%
Base Registration Fee
$122.00
Oregon has no sales tax. No tax on used private-party sales.
Notarization: NOT REQUIRED
Oregon does not require notarization.
Salem Transfer Checklist
- No sales tax on used vehicle purchases
- Title transfer within 30 days
- DEQ emissions testing required in Salem area
- Seller must sign title assignment
County Information — Marion County
County Clerk / Recorder
Marion County Clerk
Phone
(503) 588-5225
Private party vehicle sales in Marion County may be exempt from sales tax — verify with the county clerk before completing your transaction.
Truck market data and safety information
The most common truck makes in private-party sales are Ford, Chevrolet, RAM, Toyota, GMC. Average private-party truck prices range from $8,000–$55,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent truck models is 4 out of 5 stars. Trucks average 3.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Power Train, Fuel System, Steering.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used truck
Before completing a truck bill of sale in Oregon, verify these safety items:
- Inspect frame for rust — trucks used in salt-belt states often have hidden corrosion
- Check 4WD/AWD transfer case engagement and operation
- Verify towing package wiring and hitch receiver condition
- Test tailgate mechanism and bed liner condition
Truck insurance and depreciation in Oregon
Full-size trucks cost 10–20% more to insure than sedans. Lifted trucks or diesel modifications may increase premiums further. Trucks hold value better than cars — full-size pickups retain 60–70% of value after 5 years. Diesel models retain the most. Peak season for private truck sales is late spring through summer when construction and outdoor activity demand rises, with an average of 18 days on market.
Truck registration and titling
Trucks are classified as "Light truck (under 8,500 lbs) or Medium truck (8,500–26,000 lbs)" for registration purposes. Trucks under 16,000 lbs GVWR follow passenger rules. Over 16,000 lbs GVWR triggers commercial vehicle requirements and federal odometer exemption. Federal odometer disclosure is required for trucks under 20 years old.
Truck sales in Salem, Oregon
Salem residents completing a truck bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Oregon state rules. The state sales tax rate is 0%, no sales tax; 0.5% statewide transit tax on new vehicles only. The most popular truck makes in Oregon include Ford, Chevrolet, RAM.
Oregon bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,038 bill of sale documents for Oregon transactions, with 28 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.
Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price
45% faster sale
Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.
Source: Experian / AutoCheck
$4,000 avg loss
NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.
Source: NHTSA
17.5M private sales/yr
About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.
Source: Cox Automotive 2024
1 in 3 buyers
Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.
Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate on a truck sale in Salem?
The combined rate is 0.00%. Oregon has no sales tax. No tax on used private-party sales..
Is notarization required for a truck bill of sale in Salem?
No. Oregon does not require notarization.
What fees should I expect when transferring a truck title in Salem?
Title transfer fee: $77.00. Base registration fee: $122.00. Sales tax at 0.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.