Deed Recording Requirements in Oregon
Oregon deeds must be signed by the grantor and acknowledged before a notary or other authorized officer, and there is no state transfer tax; state law bars new local transfer taxes but grandfathers local taxes in effect on March 31, 1997.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Oregon at a glance
- Notary acknowledgment
- Required to record
- Witnesses
- None
- Transfer tax
- Local taxes only
The rules in Oregon
Does a deed need to be notarized in Oregon?
Oregon requires a deed to be acknowledged (or, where the statute allows, proved) before it can be recorded.
How many witnesses does a deed need in Oregon?
None. Oregon does not require witnesses to sign a deed.
Is there a real estate transfer tax in Oregon?
Not at the state level. In Oregon, transfer taxes are set locally, for example by counties or cities.
Where do the Oregon rules for deeds come from?
They come from ORS 93.410 Execution and acknowledgment of deeds and ORS 306.815 Tax on transfer of real property prohibited; exceptions. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Oregon compares
Oregon is one of 2 jurisdictions that leave transfer taxes to local governments.
What this means in practice
Record the signed deed with the county recorder, register of deeds or land records office where the property is located. Recording puts the world on notice of the transfer and generally protects the new owner against later claims.
Recording offices often have formatting rules (margins, paper size, a return address, a parcel number) and charge a fee. Check the county's requirements before you sign.
A deed does not pay off a mortgage. If the property is mortgaged, the loan usually stays in place after the transfer.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.