How to Fill Out a Bill of Sale in Louisiana

A step-by-step guide to every field on a Louisiana vehicle bill of sale — with a free filled-in example you can download instantly.

Louisiana is a state where the notary isn't an upgrade — it's the architecture. The state's civil-law tradition runs vehicle transfers through notarized documents, but the rule is either/or: EITHER the title assignment is notarized OR an original notarized bill of sale accompanies it (a separate bill of sale isn't required at all if the selling price is written into the notarized title assignment). So the Louisiana fill-out sequence is: complete the title assignment (parties, odometer, price, date) — plus a bill of sale only if the price will not be on the title — and the DPSMV 1799 vehicle application, sign NOTHING, and bring both parties with photo ID to a notary; OMV-adjacent notary services handle these daily. Sales tax is then due by the 40th day after the sale and is paid when the buyer titles at the OMV: 5.0% state tax (raised from 4.45% on January 1, 2025) plus parish rates on the notarized price, less any qualifying trade-in.

Notarization:Title or bill of sale

Title deadline:40 days

Sales tax:5%

Official form:DPSMV 1799

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Vehicle Bill of Sale · Louisiana

9 vehicle fields

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

Vehicle Details

Year *

Make *

Model *

VIN *

Color *

Mileage *

License Plate

Odometer reading is accurate to the best of my knowledge

Lien Holder (if applicable)

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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State rules change. We check these requirements against official state sources, but details can go out of date. Confirm with your state's motor vehicle agency before you rely on them. If you notice anything wrong or outdated, email support@billofsale.app.

Step-by-Step: Every Field Explained

Seller Information

Full legal name
Current mailing address
City, state, ZIP code
Phone number (optional but recommended)

Tip: The name here must be the name on the ownership papers; nicknames and initials stall the paperwork at the Louisiana DMV.

Buyer Information

Full legal name
Current mailing address
City, state, ZIP code
Phone number (optional)

Tip: Whatever name goes here is the name the DMV will expect on the buyer's registration — decide it now, not at the counter.

Vehicle Description

Vehicle year (4-digit)
Make (manufacturer — e.g., Ford, Toyota)
Model (e.g., F-150, Camry)
Body style (e.g., sedan, pickup, SUV)
Color
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) — 17 characters, found on the dashboard or door jamb
Odometer reading at time of sale

Tip: Read the VIN from the metal, not the ad: dashboard plate or door-jamb sticker, checked character by character against the title. One wrong character voids the transfer.

Sale Details

Sale price in US dollars (write out both numerals and words — e.g., "$8,500 — Eight thousand five hundred dollars")
Payment method (cash, check, electronic transfer)
Date of sale (month / day / year)
Note: the buyer pays Louisiana tax at registration (5% sales tax)

Tip: Record the true price, not a rounded-down one; for the 5% sales tax in Louisiana, the paperwork should match the payment.

Seller Signature

Seller's signature (must match title)
Printed name
Date signed

Tip: Notary rule in Louisiana: One notarized document is enough: the bill of sale, the invoice or the title assignment.

Buyer Signature

Buyer's signature
Printed name
Date signed

Tip: Execute two originals — each party walks away holding a fully signed copy, not a photo of one.

Get a Pre-Filled Louisiana Example

Use the generator above to create a filled-in Louisiana bill of sale example in under 60 seconds. Fields are set up for Louisiana — a notary acknowledgment section included, LA sales tax at 5%, and 40-day title transfer deadline noted.

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Other Forms Required in Louisiana

Along with the bill of sale, you may need these additional documents for a Louisiana vehicle transfer:

Vehicle Application (Form DPSMV 1799)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Louisiana require notarization when most states don't?

Civil-law heritage: Louisiana treats the notarized "authentic act" as near-conclusive proof of the transaction. The OMV accepts the file if the bill of sale, the invoice, or the title assignment is notarized — and if the sale price is written into a notarized title assignment, no separate bill of sale is required. (DPSMV 1799 is the vehicle application, not a bill of sale.)

What should both parties bring to the notary?

The title with the assignment filled out but unsigned (and a bill of sale, if the price is not on the title), and photo IDs for both parties. The notary witnesses the signatures in one sitting — most Louisiana notaries and OMV-adjacent title services do the full package routinely.

How much tax will the buyer pay at the OMV?

5.0% state sales tax (raised from 4.45% on January 1, 2025) plus the parish rate — combined totals commonly run 9–11% depending on the parish. Calculated on the sale price less any qualifying trade-in and rebate.

What is the deadline to title in Louisiana?

The 40 days is a sales-tax due date: the tax is due by the 40th day after the sale (the last business day before it if day 40 is a weekend or holiday) and is paid when the buyer applies for title at the OMV. Miss it and penalty and interest accrue on the tax — and notarized paperwork can't be "fixed up" later without another notarial act, so get the documents right the first time.

Louisiana Bill of Sale Hub

All requirements, tax rates, deadlines, and forms for Louisiana.

View Louisiana guide →

Official Form

DPSMV 1799

Applies for a Louisiana title and registration at the OMV, filed with the assigned title (and, when the price is not on the title, a notarized bill of sale or invoice).

DPSMV 1799 guide →

Louisiana Templates by Vehicle

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