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Oregon Residency & Domicile
Overview
This page provides links that pertain to Oregon residency.
 
Use the links below to go directly to any section:
Are You a Resident of Oregon?
To be eligible for Oregon vehicle registration or to obtain an Oregon Driver License, Identification Card, or Driver Permit, you must be a resident of or domiciled in Oregon (see ORS 803.355).
 
To be domiciled in Oregon, a person's primary home is in Oregon and the person intends to remain in Oregon or, if absent, to return. If a person's home has never been in Oregon, they cannot be domiciled.
 
Note: Simply owning property in Oregon doesn't necessarily mean that you are domiciled in Oregon.
Establishing Residency
Residency may be established by a number of actions, described in the list below and in ORS 803.200 and ORS 807.062. Once you have become a resident of Oregon, you are required by Oregon law to obtain Oregon vehicle title and registration and to obtain an Oregon Driver License or Instruction Permit. Failure to register a vehicle once residency has been established is a Class D traffic violation. Failure to obtain an Oregon Driver License or Instruction Permit once residency has been established is a Class B traffic violation.
 
If you are uncertain whether you qualify for an Oregon Driver License, ID Card, or Oregon Vehicle Registration, ask yourself the following questions:
  • Do I remain in Oregon for a consecutive period of six months or more each year?
  • Have I enrolled my children in an Oregon public school without payment of nonresident tuition fees?
  • Do I pay Oregon resident tuition fees at an educational institution maintained by public funds?
  • Have I made a declaration to be a resident of Oregon for the purpose of obtaining, at resident rates, a state license (other than an Oregon Driver License)?
  • Is Oregon listed as my home of record in my military records?
  • Do I pay resident income taxes to the state of Oregon?
If you answered "yes" to any of the above, you may be eligible to register your vehicle in Oregon and/or obtain an Oregon driving privilege or Identification Card.
Oregon Vehicle Registration
In addition, a vehicle may qualify for Oregon registration even if the owner is not a resident of Oregon or domiciled in Oregon if one or more of the following applies:

  • The owner is a business that maintains a main office, branch office or warehouse facility in Oregon and operates motor vehicles in Oregon;
  • The vehicle is usually left in Oregon when the owner is away from Oregon, is used primarily for personal transportation in Oregon, is a private passenger vehicle or a vehicle having a loaded weight of less than 10,000 pounds, and is not a motor home or a camper; or
  • The vehicle is operated in intrastate transportation for compensation or profit for other than seasonal agricultural work.
Residency Certification
Whenever a vehicle is registered or renewed in Oregon the owner must certify to one of the following statements.
  • The owner is domiciled in Oregon (see definition above);
  • The vehicle is required to be registered because the owner has established Oregon residency (see ORS 803.200); or
  • The vehicle meets all of the following qualifications for Oregon registration:
    • The vehicle is usually left in Oregon when the person is away from Oregon;
    • It is used primarily for personal transportation in Oregon;
    • It is a private passenger vehicle or a vehicle having a loaded weight of less than 10,000 pounds; and
    • It is not a motor home or a camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What address do I need to provide to DMV? 
Oregon law requires that you provide DMV your residence address. The residence address is the actual address at which you reside.
 
My mail is forwarded to me by a mail forwarding service. Can I provide DMV with their address? 
You may use the address of a mail forwarding service provider as your mailing address. However, you are also required to provide DMV your residence address.
 
Will I be required to submit proof to DMV that I am an Oregon resident?
Yes, you may be required to submit proof. Proof may be one or a combination of items that shows sufficient proof of your eligibility. These items vary:
What if I'm in the military?
If you are in the military, you may provide a copy of your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) showing Oregon as your home of record. You must still provide your actual residence address, even if it is in another state. Visit our Military Personnel homepage for more information.
 
What will happen if I illegally register my vehicle in Oregon?
A person commits the offense of false application for vehicle registration if the person knowingly makes any false statement or representation with respect to any facts required in any application for registration. The offense of making a false application for vehicle registration is a Class A misdemeanor.
 
Your Oregon registration will be canceled and Oregon DMV will notify the Department of Licensing in the state in which you reside. No refund of any unused portion of your Oregon registration will be refunded. You may be subject to fines as well as civil and/or criminal penalties.
 
If you determine that you are eligible for Oregon registration you will find instructions and the application at Titling Vehicles.
 
What will happen if I have an Oregon Driver License (driving privilege) or ID Card and DMV finds out that I am not a resident or domiciled? 
A person commits the offense of false application for driver license or ID card if the person knowingly makes any false statement or representation with respect to any facts required in any application. The offense of making a false application for a driver license or ID card is a Class A misdemeanor.
 
DMV may question your residency or domicile at any time and ask for a certification and proof.  If you cannot submit acceptable proof, your driver license or identification card will be canceled and Oregon DMV will notify the Department of Licensing in the state in which you reside. No refund of any unused portion of your Oregon license or ID Card will be refunded. You may be subject to fines as well as civil and/or criminal penalties.
 
If you determine that you are eligible for an Oregon Driver License or ID Card, you will find instructions and applications at:
Related Information
Additional information that may be relevant includes:
 
Page updated: November 24, 2009

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