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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 the one 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 every field of the DPSMV 1799 (parties, vehicle, VIN, odometer, price, date) plus the title assignment, sign NOTHING, and bring both parties with photo ID to a notary — Louisiana has more notaries per capita than almost anywhere, and OMV-adjacent notary services handle these daily. The buyer then has 40 days to title at the OMV, paying 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:Required
Title deadline:40 days
Sales tax:5%
Official form:DPSMV 1799
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Vehicle Bill of Sale · Louisiana
Louisiana Requirements: Notarization required. Transfer title within 40 days. 5% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Vehicle Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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Step-by-Step: Every Field Explained

1

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.
2

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.
3

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.
4

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: buyer owes 5% Louisiana sales tax on the sale price at registration
Tip: the 5% sales tax in Louisiana is calculated from this line (cross-checked against market value), so the honest price is the only one that works.
5

Seller Signature

  • Seller's signature (must match title)
  • Printed name
  • Date signed
  • Notary public signature and seal (REQUIRED in Louisiana)
Tip: Louisiana requires the bill of sale to be notarized. Visit a bank, UPS store, AAA location, or use an online notary service. Bring a government-issued photo ID.
6

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. All fields are pre-configured for Louisiana requirements — notarization section included, LA sales tax at 5%, and 40-day 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 DPSMV 1799 bill of sale must be notarized for the OMV to accept it, and if the sale price is written into a notarized title assignment, that document itself can serve as the act of sale.
What should both parties bring to the notary?
The completed-but-unsigned DPSMV 1799, the title with the assignment filled out, 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, among the highest in the country. Calculated on the notarized price less any qualifying trade-in, which is why Louisiana prices carry unusual evidentiary weight.
What is the deadline to title in Louisiana?
40 days from the sale date at any OMV office. Miss it and penalties accrue on top of the tax — and the 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

Documents a private vehicle sale in Louisiana. Must be notarized and presented with the title when the buyer titles the vehicle at any OMV office.

DPSMV 1799 guide →

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