Louisiana — quick answer
In Louisiana, a bill of sale is required for a private vehicle sale and notarization is required. 2 witnesses are involved. Ownership is transferred through the Louisiana OMV via the assigned title.
Is a bill of sale required in Louisiana?
Required. Louisiana requires an original notarized bill of sale (unless the sale price is on the title assignment). It is the strongest notary state.
Seller assigns the title before a notary; the buyer titles and registers at the OMV.
Does a Louisiana bill of sale need to be notarized?
Required. The title must be assigned before a notary and an original notarized bill of sale is required. Under civil law, signing before two witnesses with acknowledgment is the alternative.
Because Louisiana requires notarization, do not sign the title or bill of sale until you are in front of a notary. Both the document and a valid ID should be ready, and many banks and shipping stores offer notary services.
Witness requirements
Louisiana Two witnesses with acknowledgment can substitute for notarization..
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
How to transfer a vehicle title in Louisiana
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Fill in the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Sign the title in front of a notary, as Louisiana requires.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller assigns the title before a notary; the buyer titles and registers at the OMV.
- 3Register with the Louisiana OMV.
The buyer titles and registers the vehicle. Confirm the current fees and documents on the official Louisiana OMV page.
Official Louisiana sources
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) — buying & selling a vehicle
- NHTSA — federal odometer disclosure rule
We link to primary government sources and review this page regularly, but requirements change. This is general information, not legal advice.
Louisiana bill of sale by type
Get requirements and a free template tailored to Louisiana for each item type — the generator applies the Louisiana notary and witness rules automatically:
Louisiana bill of sale — FAQ
Is a bill of sale required in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, a separate bill of sale is required. Louisiana requires an original notarized bill of sale (unless the sale price is on the title assignment). It is the strongest notary state.
Does a Louisiana bill of sale need to be notarized?
Yes — Louisiana requires it. The title must be assigned before a notary and an original notarized bill of sale is required. Under civil law, signing before two witnesses with acknowledgment is the alternative.
Do I need a witness for a bill of sale in Louisiana?
Louisiana Two witnesses with acknowledgment can substitute for notarization..
How do I transfer a vehicle title in Louisiana?
Seller assigns the title before a notary; the buyer titles and registers at the OMV. Titling and registration in Louisiana are handled by the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV).
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.