Free Louisiana Boat Bill of Sale

A Louisiana boat sale answers to two traditions at once: the state's civil-law formality (a titled boat's reassigned title must be NOTARIZED) and its split agency map (vessels title through the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, not the OMV that handles cars). The practical bright spot: an OMV representative is at LDWF headquarters in Baton Rouge on Monday mornings, so a boat and its trailer — which registers separately through OMV — can be handled in a single visit. Dealer sales are taxed at 5.0% state plus the parish rate, and the seller must notify LDWF within 15 days of the sale.

Louisiana Requirements: A notarized title or bill of sale is needed. The 40 days is the sales-tax due date after the sale; the tax is paid when applying for title and registration. 5% sales tax.

Seller Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Buyer Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Boat Details

Year *

Make *

Model *

Hull ID Number (HIN) *

Length (ft) *

Engine Type *

Color

Trailer Included *

Trailer VIN (if included)

Sale Information

Sale Price ($) *

Payment Method *

Date of Sale *

County of Sale (if known)

Applicable Taxes Paid By

Condition & Warranty

Sold AS-IS (no warranty)

Warranty Details (if applicable)

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Boats are sold with undisclosed liens far more often than cars. Our guide covers running a title search, decoding the HIN, separating boat and trailer titles, and what a Coast Guard document means for the transfer process. Read: Boat Bill of Sale: Complete Guide →

Louisiana Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form

LDWF Application

Vessel Registration Application

Agency

LDWF

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Primary ID Field

HIN (Hull ID Number)

Sales Tax

Title Required

Yes

LDWF registers all motorboats and sailboats 12 feet or longer. A title is required only for some boats (for example, financed boats, boats titled in another state, homemade boats, and outboard motors of 25 hp or more in those cases). LDWF asks for a bill of sale signed by the seller and buyer; if the boat has a title, the title reassignment must be notarized.

Inspection

Not required

Sales Tax Details

Boats bought from a dealer pay 5.0% state plus parish tax. A sale by a private owner may qualify as an 'isolated or occasional sale'; the Louisiana Department of Revenue decides any tax due (Form R-1331 when required).

Louisiana Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

Prepare a bill of sale (LDWF's Bill of Sale of Boat/Motor works) with the LA registration number, HIN, make, model, year, engine HP, and sale price, signed by seller and buyer. If the boat is titled, notarize the title reassignment.
Seller signs LDWF title over to buyer.
Buyer applies at LDWF (in person in Baton Rouge or by mail); the seller must notify LDWF within 15 days of the sale.
Buyer pays the registration and $5 transfer fee, plus any sales tax the Louisiana Department of Revenue says is due.

Common Pitfalls

Going to LA OMV instead of LDWF — boat titles are LDWF jurisdiction.
Skipping notarization on a titled boat — if the title is reassigned on the back, it must be notarized.
Not recording the HIN — required on all LDWF applications.

Pro Tip

Louisiana boats: a signed bill of sale (and a notarized title if the boat is titled), LDWF registration (OMV on site Monday mornings for the trailer), and seller notice to LDWF within 15 days.

Louisiana Boat Bill of Sale — FAQs

Which Louisiana agency handles boat title transfers?

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) handles boat titles and registrations — LA OMV handles cars, trucks, and motorcycles. An OMV representative is at LDWF headquarters in Baton Rouge on Monday mornings (8 a.m. to noon), so the boat (LDWF) and its trailer (OMV) can be processed in one visit then.

Does a Louisiana boat sale need a notary?

Only if the boat has a title: a title reassigned on the back must be notarized. For the bill of sale itself, LDWF asks for the LA registration number, HIN, make, model year, and the signatures of seller and buyer. Notarizing the bill of sale too is a safe extra step.

How much tax applies to a used boat in Louisiana?

From a dealer: 5.0% state plus the parish rate. From a private owner, the sale may qualify as an 'isolated or occasional sale' — check with the Louisiana Department of Revenue, which decides any tax due.

Other Louisiana Templates

Vehicle Bill of Sale Car Bill of Sale Used Car Bill of Sale Motorcycle Bill of Sale Trailer Bill of Sale Horse Bill of Sale ATV Bill of Sale Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale RV Bill of Sale General Bill of Sale Free Printable Bill of Sale Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale As-Is Bill of Sale Gift Bill of Sale

Boat in Other States

Texas Florida Georgia Missouri Utah Oregon Alabama Colorado Connecticut Arkansas

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Step-by-step guide for Louisiana

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