What a Louisiana bill of sale does and why you need one
A bill of sale is a document that proves you sold or bought a vehicle. In Louisiana, it transfers ownership from the seller to the buyer and protects both of you by creating a written record of the transaction. When you sell a car, truck, or motorcycle, the bill of sale shows the date, the vehicle details, the price, and the names and signatures of both parties.
You need a bill of sale before you can register the vehicle in the buyer's name at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). The buyer cannot legally own the car without it, and you cannot prove you no longer own it without it. Even if you sell the vehicle to a family member or a friend, Louisiana law requires a bill of sale.
The state does not provide an official bill of sale form, but the document must include specific information or the OMV will reject it. You can create one yourself, read a template, or ask the buyer or seller to provide one — as long as it contains all the required elements, it will be accepted.
Key Takeaways
- Louisiana requires a bill of sale for every vehicle sale, and the buyer needs it to register the vehicle at the OMV.
- The bill of sale must include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and the printed names and signatures of both the seller and buyer.
- You can write the bill of sale by hand or type it — Louisiana does not require a specific form or notarization.
- The seller should keep a copy for their records, and the buyer must bring the original to the OMV when registering the vehicle.
Information that must be on the bill of sale
The bill of sale must include the vehicle's VIN (vehicle identification number), which is a 17-character code that uniquely identifies the car. You can find the VIN on the dashboard on the driver's side, on the vehicle's title, or on the registration card. Without the correct VIN, the OMV will not process the registration.
You also need the vehicle's year, make, and model; the odometer reading at the time of sale; and the sale price in dollars. Write out the price in both numbers and words (for example, "One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500)") to prevent disputes or alterations.
Both the seller and buyer must print their full legal names and sign the document. The seller should include their address, and the buyer should include their address as well. The bill of sale must also show the date the sale took place. If either party does not sign, the OMV will reject it.
How to write or create the bill of sale
You can handwrite the bill of sale on plain paper or type it on a computer. Louisiana does not require a specific form, so a straightforward document with all the required information will work. Start with a heading like "Bill of Sale" at the top, then list each piece of information clearly.
If you are handwriting it, use blue or black ink and write legibly. If you are typing it, use a standard font and print it on white paper. Leave space for both parties to sign and date the document. Some people include a line that says "I certify that I am the legal owner of this vehicle and have the right to sell it" — this is not required but adds clarity.
You do not need to have the bill of sale notarized in Louisiana, and you do not need to have it witnessed. A straightforward signed document is enough. However, if you want extra protection, you can have it notarized at a bank, a notary public's office, or a UPS store — the buyer may find this helpful when registering the vehicle.
What happens after you sign the bill of sale
Once both parties sign, make at least two copies: one for the seller and one for the buyer. The buyer will need the original or a certified copy when they go to the OMV to register the vehicle in their name. The seller should keep a copy for their records in case questions arise later about the sale.
The buyer must bring the bill of sale to the OMV along with the vehicle's title (if available), proof of insurance, and a completed registration process. The OMV will use the bill of sale to confirm the sale price and update its records. If the title is not available, the buyer may still register the vehicle using the bill of sale, though the process may take longer.
The seller should also notify their insurance company that they no longer own the vehicle. This protects you if the vehicle is involved in an accident or other incident after the sale — your insurance will not cover it once ownership has transferred.
Common mistakes to avoid when filling out the bill of sale
Do not leave any required fields blank. The OMV will return an incomplete bill of sale and delay the buyer's registration. Double-check the VIN character by character, since even one wrong digit will cause problems. If you make a mistake, cross it out neatly, write the correction above it, and have both parties initial the change — do not use white-out or tape.
Do not write the sale price as "cash" or "trade" without a dollar amount. The OMV needs a specific price to process the registration. If the vehicle was traded in as part of the sale, write the agreed cash value of the vehicle on the bill of sale.
Do not sign the bill of sale before all the information is filled in. Once you sign, you are confirming that everything on the document is accurate. If the buyer later discovers incorrect information, it can complicate their registration and create legal questions about who actually owns the vehicle.
When you sell a vehicle without a title
If you have lost the vehicle's title, you can still sell it, but the process is more complicated. You will need to explore for a duplicate title from the OMV before you can complete the sale. The buyer can also explore for a title in their name using the bill of sale and proof of purchase, though this may take several weeks.
Some used car dealers and private sellers sell vehicles without titles — this is legal in Louisiana, but it makes registration harder for the buyer. If you are buying a vehicle without a title, understand that you will need to work with the OMV to establish ownership, and this can delay registration by several weeks. Always ask the seller why they do not have the title before you agree to the purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell a vehicle to someone out of state using a Louisiana bill of sale?
Yes, but the buyer will need to register the vehicle in their home state, not in Louisiana. The bill of sale proves the sale took place, but the buyer's state will have its own registration and title requirements. Make sure the bill of sale includes all the information Louisiana requires, since other states may ask for the same details.
What if the buyer and I disagree about the sale price after we sign?
The bill of sale is a binding record of what you both agreed to on the date of sale. If a dispute arises later, the signed bill of sale is evidence of the agreed price. This is why it is important to make sure both parties agree on the price before signing and to keep a copy for your records.
Do I need to report the sale to the Louisiana OMV?
No, you do not report the sale directly. The buyer registers the vehicle in their name at the OMV using the bill of sale. However, you should keep a copy showing you sold the vehicle, in case the OMV contacts you about the vehicle later or if there is a dispute about ownership.
Can I use a bill of sale from another state?
Yes, as long as it includes all the information Louisiana requires: the VIN, year, make, model, sale price, date, and signatures of both parties. Some states' forms may have extra fields, but that is fine — Louisiana will accept it as long as the required information is there.
What if the seller will not sign the bill of sale?
You cannot legally own the vehicle without a signed bill of sale. If the seller refuses to sign, do not give them money. A bill of sale protects you by proving you bought the vehicle and the seller agreed to the sale. Without it, you have no proof of ownership and cannot register the vehicle.