Selling or buying a vehicle in Louisiana? The seller must sign the Certificate of Title before a notary — and the bill of sale must also be notarized if the selling price is not included on the notarized title assignment.
This free template is formatted for Louisiana’s requirements and works alongside the notarized Certificate of Title at an OMV office or Public Tag Agent location.
Click Get This Template below to open it in Google Docs, then click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive.
For templates for all 50 states, visit the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Templates →
On this page:
- What Is a Louisiana Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
- Is a Bill of Sale Required in Louisiana?
- Louisiana-Specific Requirements
- Free Louisiana Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
- How to Fill Out the Template
- How to Transfer a Car Title in Louisiana
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Louisiana Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A Louisiana motor vehicle bill of sale is a written record of a private vehicle sale.
Louisiana uses Parishes instead of counties — enter your Parish name in the location field of Section 1. Title transfers are processed through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) or at a Public Tag Agent (PTA) location.
Is a Bill of Sale Required in Louisiana?
A notarized bill of sale is required when the selling price is not included on the notarized title assignment. If the title is assigned before a notary and includes the selling price, the bill of sale may not be separately required — but it is strongly recommended as additional documentation.
The OMV requires proof of purchase to process a used vehicle title transfer. A notarized bill of sale or a notarized title assignment showing the actual consideration (sale price) satisfies this requirement.
Louisiana-Specific Requirements
1. 40-Day Deadline
The buyer must file and pay sales/use tax and apply for title registration within 40 days of the date of sale to avoid penalty and interest. New residents moving to Louisiana must register their vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency.
2. ⚠️ Notarization Required
Louisiana requires the seller to sign the Certificate of Title before a notary public. Both buyer and seller must sign the bill of sale before a state-recognized notary public if the bill of sale is being used as the primary proof of the sale price.
Do not pre-sign before the notary appointment. Bring unsigned documents and sign in the notary’s presence.
3. Parishes Instead of Counties
Louisiana is divided into Parishes — not counties. Enter your Parish name (e.g., “Orleans Parish,” “East Baton Rouge Parish,” “Jefferson Parish”) in the location field of Section 1 of this template.
4. State Sales Tax + Parish Tax
Louisiana charges a 5% state sales/use tax plus applicable local parish tax on the purchase price. Parish tax rates vary — refer to the Parish Rate Report on the OMV website for your specific parish rate. Tax is paid at the OMV or PTA at the time of title registration.
5. Title Fee
The Louisiana title fee is $68.50 plus an $8.00 handling fee per title transaction. Registration fees and plate costs depend on the vehicle type and plate selected.
6. Seller: File Notice of Vehicle Transfer
After the sale, the seller should file a Notice of Vehicle Transfer online through the Louisiana OMV to protect against post-sale liability. Remove your license plate before handing over the vehicle — Louisiana plates stay with the seller.
7. Odometer Disclosure
If the vehicle is not exempt from odometer requirements and the back of the title does not contain an Odometer Disclosure Statement, a supplemental Odometer Statement must be submitted separately.
Free Louisiana Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
This template opens in Google Docs. Click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive, fill it out digitally, or print and complete by hand.
How to Fill Out the Template
In Section 1, enter your Parish name instead of a county. Enter the seller’s name exactly as it appears on the Certificate of Title. Enter the buyer’s name exactly as they want it on the new title.
In Section 3, copy the VIN character by character from the dashboard plate and the title. Enter the full agreed purchase price in Section 4 — Louisiana calculates 5% state tax plus parish tax on this figure.
Both parties sign Section 11 and Section 13 (Notary Acknowledgment) in the presence of a notary. Do not pre-sign. Bring the unsigned form to the notary and sign there.
For a complete field-by-field walkthrough of every section, see: How to Fill Out a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale →
How to Transfer a Car Title in Louisiana
For the Seller
Sign the Certificate of Title before a notary, assigning it to the buyer with any lien properly released. Use black ink and avoid cross-outs. Remove your license plate before the buyer leaves — Louisiana plates stay with the seller.
File a Notice of Vehicle Transfer online through the Louisiana OMV to protect against post-sale liability.
For the Buyer
Within 40 days of purchase, visit an OMV office or Public Tag Agent location with the notarized title assignment, this notarized bill of sale, completed Form DPSMV 1799, odometer disclosure (if required), proof of Louisiana insurance, valid ID, and payment for the $68.50 title fee, $8.00 handling fee, 5% state tax, and applicable parish tax.
Lost Title
Apply for a duplicate title through any OMV office or Public Tag Agent before proceeding with the sale. Contact the Louisiana OMV at expresslane.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The seller must sign the Certificate of Title before a notary public. If the selling price is not included on the notarized title assignment, a separate notarized bill of sale is also required. Both buyer and seller sign the bill of sale before a notary.
40 days from the date of sale to file, pay tax, and apply for title registration. New residents moving to Louisiana must register within 30 days of establishing residency.
Louisiana is divided into Parishes rather than counties — it is the only US state that uses this term. Enter your Parish name (e.g., Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish) in the location field of Section 1.
The Louisiana title fee is $68.50 plus an $8.00 handling fee. State sales/use tax is 5% plus applicable parish tax. Registration fees and plate costs depend on the vehicle type.
Louisiana plates stay with the seller. Remove your plate before handing over the vehicle. The buyer receives new plates when they register at the OMV or Public Tag Agent.
Yes, as long as it is notarized and includes the actual sale price and a full vehicle description. The OMV will accept a notarized bill of sale or invoice showing the actual consideration as proof of the transaction price.
This template and all information on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles at expresslane.org to confirm current requirements before completing your transaction.