Louisiana Title Transfer

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

A Louisiana vehicle title is the legal document that establishes ownership. Transferring it correctly between buyer and seller takes a few specific Louisiana-only steps — most notably a notarized bill of sale and a $68.50 title fee — but the process is straightforward when both parties show up with the right paperwork.

Seller's responsibilities

If you're selling a vehicle titled in Louisiana, you need to:

Sign and date the back of the original title in the seller's section.
Complete the odometer disclosure on the title, exact to the mile.
Print the buyer's full legal name and address in the buyer's section.
Hand over the assigned title and a notarized DPSMV1697 Bill of Sale at delivery.
Remove the license plate (Louisiana plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle).
Cancel insurance only after the buyer has registered or you have a notarized release of liability.

If the title has a lien still recorded, the lienholder must release it in writing before transfer. For lost titles, the seller must obtain a duplicate title first; Louisiana doesn't accept transfers from "lost title" affidavits in private-party sales.

Buyer's responsibilities

The buyer must title and register the vehicle within 40 days of purchase. Bring the following to any OMV office or Public Tag Agent:

The properly assigned original title with seller's signature and odometer reading.
The notarized DPSMV1697 Bill of Sale signed by both parties.
A completed DPSMV1799-A Application for Vehicle Title.
A completed DPSMV1606 Vehicle Registration Application.
Proof of Louisiana liability insurance in the buyer's name (15/30/25 minimum).
Your Louisiana driver's license or state ID.
Funds to cover sales tax, title fee, plate fee, and handling.

The notarized bill of sale

Louisiana is one of the few states that requires a notarized bill of sale on most private-party vehicle sales. The notary verifies both signatures and stamps the document. Banks, UPS Store locations, and most credit unions offer notary services for $5-$10. The bill of sale needs:

Both parties' full legal names and addresses.
The vehicle's year, make, model, and full VIN.
The actual sales price.
The odometer reading at the time of sale.
Signatures of both parties witnessed by a notary public.

Sales tax

Louisiana charges a 4.45% state sales tax plus parish and municipal taxes — averaging 9.55% combined statewide as of 2025. The OMV calculates tax on the higher of the bill-of-sale price or the state's vehicle valuation guide. Selling for $1 to a relative does not avoid sales tax unless the transfer qualifies as a documented gift between immediate family members (parents, children, spouses, siblings) supported by an Affidavit of Donation.

Title fee and other costs

Beyond sales tax, expect:

$68.50 title fee — one of the higher in the U.S.
$8 handling fee.
$20-$82 license plate fee for new plates.
$3 lien notation fee if the vehicle is financed.
$10 for the brake tag inspection.

Gift transfers

Vehicles transferred between immediate family members can avoid sales tax if both parties complete an Affidavit of Donation in front of a notary. Louisiana defines immediate family for this purpose as parent, child, sibling, spouse, grandparent, or grandchild. The affidavit, the original title, and a $68.50 title fee are still required. Cousins, aunts, uncles, and unrelated friends do not qualify and must pay sales tax on the fair market value.

Dealer transfers

When a Louisiana dealer sells a vehicle, the dealer typically files the title and registration paperwork on the buyer's behalf as part of the sale price. The dealer collects sales tax, title fee, and plate fee at closing and submits everything to the OMV electronically through the Louisiana Dealer Online Title program. The buyer drives away with a temporary tag valid for 60 days while the permanent title and plate are mailed.

Out-of-state titles

If you're titling a vehicle that's currently titled in another state, the OMV requires a VIN inspection at any Louisiana state trooper post or sheriff's office before issuing a Louisiana title. The inspection is free. After that, follow the same buyer's checklist above. Louisiana credits sales tax already paid to another state up to its own combined rate. See also the broader Louisiana registration page for the full new-resident checklist.