A Louisiana bill of sale is a written document that records the sale of a vehicle, boat, firearm, or other personal property between a private buyer and seller. It shows the sale date, the price, and a description of the item, and it becomes the buyer’s proof of ownership.
Many people use a bill of sale to show that an item was sold as is, so a buyer cannot later claim it was defective. It also documents that the property changed hands, which is why sellers often keep a copy for their own records. You will need to pick the bill of sale that matches what you are selling. An official bill of sale form is also used for boat sales.
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| Document Name | Louisiana Vehicle Bill of Sale Form |
| Other Names | Louisiana Car Bill of Sale, Louisiana Automobile Bill of Sale |
| DMV | Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles |
| Bill of Sale Required? | Yes[3] |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 7 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 15 |
Louisiana bill of sale proves that one party transfers ownership of a specific personal property to another. Depending on the type of transaction, particular bill of sale forms may be more or less suitable. Here are some of the most common bills of sale that can be useful in Louisiana. Below you will also find the official bill of sale for vehicle title transfers.
Louisiana bill of sale for a motor vehicle should contain the vehicle’s detailed description, including make, model, odometer reading, year, color, body type, and VIN. After the sale, the buyer files the application for a new certificate of title within five days of delivery of the vehicle, and the bill of sale that goes with it has to be notarized and state the actual price paid.
| Alternative Name | Car Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Optional |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
Louisiana boat bill of sale asks for the HIN, make, year, motor serial number, and other information. In practice, motorized boats and larger sailboats are registered with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the registration is renewed periodically, and a change of owner is reported to the department after the sale.
| Alternative Name | Vessel Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Required |
| Notarization | Required |
| Download | PDF Template |
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Louisiana bill of sale for a gun is a valuable document that includes identifying details about the firearm, buyer, and seller. In practice, both parties keep a copy as their record of the transfer.
| Alternative Name | Gun Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Optional |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
In a general bill of sale, the parties can outline the transaction details involving any personal property type. All you need to do is to fill out the sections devoted to the parties’ personal information, property description, and selling price and place the parties’ signatures.
| Alternative Name | Generic Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Optional |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
Louisiana law requires a bill of sale, or similar proof of ownership, before a vehicle can be titled in the buyer’s name.[3] The document must also be notarized and must state specific information about the sale.[2]
If there is a lien on the vehicle, the lienholder must file a termination statement to release it before the title can transfer free and clear.[1]
The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles provides drivers with an official bill of sale template for private vehicle sales. The bill of sale is typically signed in front of a notary public.[2]
The official bill of sale is used for any type of transaction of a movable vehicle between private parties. Follow the steps below to complete the form.
Step 1. Enter the sale date and the seller’s information
Write the date of the transaction, then the seller’s full legal name, address, and contact information.
Step 2. Name the buyer
Write the full legal name of the person who is buying the vehicle.
Step 3. Describe the vehicle
Fill in the details that identify the vehicle being sold. The form asks for:
Step 4. Specify the price and payment method
Indicate the sale price of the motor vehicle, the date of the transaction, and how the buyer is paying.
Step 5. Confirm the signature dates
Note the date when each party signs the document.
Step 6. Seller and buyer sign the document
Both the seller and the buyer must sign and print their names on the lines provided.
Step 7. Witness signs the document
The form also includes a witness line below the parties’ signatures. Have the witness sign, print their name, and date the line.
Step 8. Complete the acknowledgment before a notary
Sign the acknowledgment section in front of a notary public, who will fill in the parish and complete the notarization.
Buyers must file an application for a new certificate of title within five days of taking delivery of the vehicle.[3] Registering typically means visiting the nearest Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) office and bringing the required documents. These include:
The previous owner completes the assignment section on the back of the title to sign the vehicle over to the new owner. If the vehicle has a lien, the lienholder must file a termination statement to release it.[1]
License plates generally stay with the owner rather than the vehicle in Louisiana, so registration typically includes a new plate for the buyer.
Form DPSMV 1799, known as a Vehicle Application Form, is used if the original certification of title is lost.
Form DPSMV 1606 or Odometer Disclosure Statement must be attached to a bill of sale when recording the transfer of ownership.
Notice of Vehicle Transfer (Form DPSMV 1697) is required to be submitted by the owners who sell, donate, or trade their vehicles.
This Application should be used by the owners who want to register their boats at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Affidavit for Boat Inspection is used if you have a homemade boat or the identification number of the boat is incorrect or hard to read.
Form DPSSP 4645 or Concealed Handgun Permit Application is used if a person wants to obtain a permit to carry a firearm in Louisiana.
Other Louisiana Forms
Last Updated: September 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Louisiana law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
A Louisiana bill of sale can fail to serve its purpose if it cannot act as proof of ownership for the title application. It also falls short if the buyer misses the five-day window to file for a new certificate of title after taking delivery of the vehicle.[3]
The Louisiana OMV requires an original notarized bill of sale or invoice when you register a used vehicle. Without notarization, the document may not be accepted as valid proof of the sale, which can delay the title transfer and registration.[2]
Yes. The Louisiana OMV requires an original notarized bill of sale or invoice that states the actual sale price and fully describes the vehicle before it will process a used vehicle’s title transfer.[2]
General information, not legal or tax advice.
