ORS 86.030: Absolute deed as a mortgage.

When a deed purports to be an absolute conveyance in terms, but is made or intended to be made defeasible by a deed of defeasance or other instrument, the original conveyance shall not be thereby defeated or affected as against any person other than the maker of the defeasance, or the heirs or devisees of the maker, or persons having actual notice thereof, unless the instrument of defeasance is recorded with the recording officer of the county where the lands lie.