When you sell or buy a motor vehicle in the State of Louisiana, you need a Bill of Sale also if the Certificate of title assignment does not reflect date of sale, selling price and buyer/seller signatures. The Bill of Sale Form serves as a legal receipt from the seller to the buyer documenting both the change in ownership and the purchase price and it’s recommended you write one for your safety.
The following information should appear on the Louisiana Bill of Sale Form:
- Name and address of the seller.
- Name and address of the buyer.
- Motor vehicle description, including Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), make, model, year.
- Vehicle odometer reading at the time of sale.
- Purchase price.
- Date of sale.
- Signature of the seller or of the authorized representative.
- Notary public seal identifying the seller and his signature.
Louisiana Bill of Sale Form
Click here to download and print a generic Louisiana Bill of Sale Form
As a seller the current certificate of title must be assigned before a notary public to purchaser. We suggest you keep a copy of the front and back of the title. Also a copy of the Bill of Sale Form and of any other documents pertaining to the sale. Automobile license plates are not transferable.
So you need to remove the license plates and surrender to the local Office of Motor Vehicles PRIOR to cancelling automobile insurance. Additionally you can notify the Department of the sale by accessing the Notice of Vehicle Transfer page and entering the required information.
As a buyer the current certificate of title must be submitted with the assignment completed and notarized. If a lien was recorded it must be properly released. Vehicles model year 2011 or newer must have the federal odometer disclosure completed on the title. Otherwise, a separate odometer statement must be submitted. The original or a copy of the financing statement or of the security agreement must be included (if applicable).
Please note that a Notarized Bill of Sale or Invoice with full description of vehicle must be submitted. This is required particularly if the title assignment does not reflect the date of sale, selling price and buyer/seller signatures. All files with a date of sale on or after August 1, 2012, must include a copy of the vehicle owner’s current and valid photo identification. The photo identification provided should be a driver’s license or identification card issued by this state, another state, or by the United States military. Proof of liability insurance coverage is required, unless the vehicle was purchased from a dealer.
How to complete the Louisiana Bill of Sale Form
This Louisiana Bill of Sale is composed of three sections and below you’ll see you how to fill out this form:
Section 1
The first section contains the vehicle information. Here you’ll need to fill out the Make, Model, Year, Style (Body type), Color, VIN or Vehicle Identification Number. Also the Odometer Reading at the time of transfer (use only digits, no tenths), seller registration number, and to answer if you previously filed an application for title of this vehicle:
Section 2
In the second section you will have to fill out first the Seller information. First complete the full name of the seller. The name must be PRINTED. So this means to use only Capital Letters to write SELLER’S NAME. Then seller’s street address, seller’s city and state. Further you will need to fill out the Buyer information – the full name of the buyer. The buyer’s name must be PRINTED. Again this means to use only Capital Letters to write BUYER’S NAME. Additionally fill out buyer’s street address, buyer’s city and state. After these details you will have to write the sum of the transfer price of the vehicle, to indicate if this vehicle was a gift and to indicate the relationship with the buyer (e.g. parent, spouse, friend):
Section 3
The last section represents the seller’s statement about the details contained in this Bill of Sale. Lastly, seller’s signature and date:
Please note that you can fill out this Bill of Sale form by hand. However don’t forget to use a pen and not a pencil. If you are filling out this form on your device (phone, tablet, computer) this form is a fillable PDF that works best with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Details about the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
For more information go to Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) performs functions of the state relative to the examination and licensing of operators of motor vehicles. Also it operates the suspension and revocation of motor vehicles licenses, issuance of vehicle title and registration certificates. It records liens against vehicles, and the collection of sales/use tax and other appropriate fees, all in accordance with applicable laws.