In the automotive retail world, paperwork is huge — titles, registrations, odometer disclosures, lien releases, power of attorney forms, and more. For dealers in Oregon, the ability to use electronic signatures (e-signatures) can streamline operations, reduce delays and improve the customer experience. But it’s not completely free-form: there are specific laws, rules and limitations to handle.
Legal & Regulatory Framework
ORS 84: Oregon’s Electronic Transactions Act
Under Oregon Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) at ORS 84.001-84.061, electronic records and electronic signatures are given legal effect. Specifically, an electronic signature cannot be denied legal effect solely because it is electronic. The term “electronic signature” is defined in ORS 84.004.
ORS 803.206 – “Electronically transmitted documents for title, registration or odometer disclosure”
This statute gives the Oregon DOT (ODOT) the authority to receive documents electronically — including titles, registration applications, transfers, odometer disclosures. OregonLaws
Key provisions:
- “Electronic signature” is as defined in ORS 84.004. OregonLaws+1
- Documents necessary to issue or transfer a certificate of title, register a vehicle or transfer registration, issue a registration plate, or comply with odometer disclosure may be electronically submitted. OregonLaws
- Except where affidavits are required under ORS 803.094 (release or assignment of title interest) or ORS 803.205 (proof of ownership or security interest), a notarized acknowledgement is not required for an electronically transmitted signature. OregonLaws
- For those exceptions (affidavits), ODOT may accept a scanned copy of the person’s signature and a scanned notary acknowledgement of the signature, if it accurately reproduces the originals. OregonLaws
- ODOT is required to adopt administrative rules allowing dealers and financial institutions (and possibly other entities) to electronically transmit the documents described above. OregonLaws
- Note: Some of the statute’s amendments become operative on January 1, 2027. OregonLaws+1
OAR 735-018-0060 – Signature Rule
The Oregon Administrative Rules include a provision that “For any transaction that is required under Oregon law to be in writing and have a signature, an electronic signature shall have the same legal force and effect as if the person or organization had submitted the transaction in hard copy with a handwritten signature in ink on paper.” OregonLaws
What This Means for Car Dealers
✅ What you can do
- If you are a licensed dealer in Oregon, under ORS 803.206 you may electronically transmit documents necessary for titles, registration and odometer disclosures — provided you do so under the rules adopted by ODOT.
- You can use electronic signatures on the necessary paperwork (title assignment, registration forms, etc) and have those signatures treated the same as handwritten ones — according to OAR 735-018-0060.
- You can reduce reliance on paper in many cases, making the transaction more streamlined for your customer.
⚠️ What you must watch out for / limitations
- Just because the statute permits electronic transmission doesn’t automatically mean every county clerk or ODOT branch is currently capable of processing all documents electronically. Some forms may still require traditional signatures or original paper.
- For forms that require affidavits (e.g., where a release or assignment of title interest is needed; proof of ownership or security interest on title transfer) then extra care is required: even with e-signatures, if a notarization is required, ODOT may require original or properly scanned documents with the notary acknowledgement.
- For certain forms, the ODOT form instructions may still list “must be original certificate of title…” or “no photocopies” or “signature required” language. For example, Form 735-6603L states: “Oregon DMV is not currently able to accept electronic titles or digital signatures.” Oregon
- You must stay apprised of the new rules that ODOT will adopt under ORS 803.206 — those rules will govern exactly how electronic transmission and e-signatures work for dealers.
- Even though e-signatures are legally equivalent, you still must ensure the signature is valid: the signer must be properly identified, the signature must be attributed, securely stored, tamper-proof, etc. This is especially important in a dealership environment where fraud risk is higher.
- For the customer side, ensure any e-signature process you use is compliant with legal standards (adoption, consent, intent, record retention, etc).
Why This Matters for Your Dealership
- Efficiency: Reducing paper, manual signing, scanning and mailing means faster deal closure, less risk of lost documents, fewer return forms.
- Customer Experience: Buyers increasingly expect digital workflows. Being able to complete more of the transaction electronically enhances satisfaction.
- Fraud Risk & Compliance: Electronic processes, when properly executed, can reduce errors and provide better audit trails—helping protect your dealership from liability or regulatory issues.
- Competitive Advantage: Dealers who adopt e-signature and digital submission workflows early will be ahead of those still relying heavily on paper and may be better positioned for fully digital retailing (including home purchase, remote delivery models).
Final Thoughts
For dealers in Oregon, the legal landscape now supports electronic signatures and electronic submission of many vehicle title, registration and odometer disclosure documents. The key laws — ORS 84 (UETA), ORS 803.206, and OAR 735-018-0060 — establish that electronic signatures have full legal effect, and that ODOT may accept electronically transmitted documents for key vehicle transactions.
However, the transition to full electronic workflows is not automatic or universal yet. You’ll still need to navigate which forms or transaction types still require traditional wet signatures or paper originals, confirm local practices, implement compliant e-signature tools, and train staff accordingly.
By proactively adopting e-signature workflows and staying in front of regulatory changes, your dealership can reduce paperwork, accelerate deal flow and deliver a more modern experience to customers — while still maintaining compliance with Oregon’s statutes and rules.
How TapToSign Helps Oregon Dealers
TapToSign makes e-signing on DMV and vehicle forms simple, compliant, and dealership-friendly.
- Instantly converts Oregon DMV PDFs into secure, tappable signature fields.
- Ensures every signature is timestamped, attributed, and stored with an audit trail.
- Integrates seamlessly into your deal jacket workflow — in-store or remote.
- Updates automatically to comply with ODOT and state regulations.
With TapToSign, dealers can stay ahead of Oregon’s 2027 e-signature transition while cutting down on paperwork, improving compliance, and speeding up every deal.
For more information CLICK HERE
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