Louisiana boat — quick answer
In Louisiana, a boat bill of sale is required and notarization of the title transfer is required. Boats in Louisiana may be registered through the DMV or a separate wildlife/parks agency — confirm with the Louisiana OMV.
Is a boat 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. For boats specifically, registration authority can differ from cars — verify whether your vessel is handled by the Louisiana OMV or a separate wildlife/parks agency.
Does a Louisiana boat 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 for the title transfer, do not sign the title until you are in front of a notary.
What to include on a Louisiana boat bill of sale
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and length
- Hull Identification Number (HIN) — 12 characters
- Motor details (make, horsepower, serial number)
- Whether a trailer is included
- Price, date, and signatures
How to transfer a boat in Louisiana
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Record the buyer, seller, price, and date. Sign the title before 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 boat. Confirm current fees on the official page.
Official sources
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the Louisiana OMV before you sign. Not legal advice.
Louisiana Boat Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a boat bill of sale required in Louisiana?
A bill of sale is required in Louisiana. 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 boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Yes. 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.
What is a HIN on a boat bill of sale?
The Hull Identification Number is a 12-character code unique to the boat, similar to a VIN on a car. It is required to register the vessel and should be copied exactly.
Do I need a separate bill of sale for the boat trailer and motor?
The motor is usually described on the boat bill of sale. A trailer often has its own VIN and may need its own bill of sale and registration — use our trailer bill of sale for that.
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.