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The bottom line: Louisiana requires notarization on both the title and the bill of sale, making it one of the few states where you’ll need a notary to complete a private car sale.
As the seller, you sign and notarize the title, complete a notarized bill of sale, remove your license plates, and file a Notice of Transfer with the OMV right after the sale. The buyer handles registration and taxes after that.
Key Takeaways
- Title notarization: Louisiana requires your signature on the title to be notarized before the sale is complete.
- Missing title: A replacement costs $68.50 and requires submitting Form DPSMV 1799 to your local OMV office. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks by regular mail.
- Buyer deadline: The buyer has 40 days from the sale date to register the car in their name at the OMV.
- License plates: They stay with you, not the car. Remove them before the buyer drives away.
- Release of liability: Louisiana requires you to file a Notice of Transfer online immediately after the sale.
- Bill of sale: A notarized bill of sale (Form DPSMV 1690) is required for all private vehicle sales in Louisiana.
- Emissions testing: Louisiana does not require emissions testing to complete a private car sale.
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Step-by-Step Process for Louisiana
Step 1: Prepare Your Louisiana Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Valid Louisiana driver’s license – Names must match exactly
- Lien release documentation – If you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need to get a replacement first. Download Form DPSMV 1799 and submit it to your local OMV office with your ID and $68.50. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks by regular mail, or you can pay an extra $50 for expedited service to get it in 3 to 5 business days.
If you still owe money on the car:
Contact your lender to arrange payoff at the time of closing, or request an official lien release letter on their letterhead. Louisiana won’t process a title transfer with an active lien still listed on the vehicle.
If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car?
Name matching requirement:
Check your title carefully. The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the title exactly. If you got married or changed your name, bring documentation showing the name change.
Notarization required:
Louisiana requires your signature on both the title and the bill of sale to be notarized. Banks, credit unions, shipping stores like UPS or FedEx, and many libraries offer notary services, usually for a small fee.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Clean your car inside and out, gather maintenance records, and run a VIN check to get the best price and build buyer confidence.
Learn more:
Step 3: Price Your Car
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
Step 4: Advertise Your Car
Facebook Marketplace works best in Louisiana, especially in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states.
Louisiana has no statewide emissions requirement, so older cars with lots of miles tend to sell well in the local market. Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, Carvana gives competitive offers if you have a newer car, or you can compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
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Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
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Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at the bank), or meet at the buyer’s bank for a wire transfer.
Learn more:
Step 7: Complete the Louisiana Title Transfer
Find the “Assignment of Title by Registered Owner” section on the back of the title. Enter the buyer’s full name and address, the date of sale, the odometer reading, and the sale price.
Both your signature and the buyer’s signature must be notarized. Plan to meet at a bank, credit union, or another notary location to complete the signing together.
Write your name exactly as it appears on the front of the title. Use only black or blue ink.
Any corrections, cross-outs, or white-out completely voids the Louisiana title. If you make a mistake, you’ll need to order a duplicate title before the sale can proceed.
Multiple owners on the title? If the names are connected with “AND,” everyone listed must sign and notarize. If connected with “OR,” just one owner needs to sign.
The buyer has 40 days from the sale date to register the car in their name at the OMV. After that deadline, they’ll face late fees.
Learn more: What is Odometer Disclosure Statement? (Each State Guide)
Step 8: Sign Bill of Sale (Required)
Louisiana requires a bill of sale for all private vehicle sales. Use Form DPSMV 1690, the official Louisiana bill of sale form. You can get it at your local OMV office.
The bill of sale must be notarized. Both you and the buyer need to sign it in front of a notary. Plan to have this done at the same time and place as the title notarization to keep things simple.
If you don’t have access to the state form, our free bill of sale generator creates a complete document you can take to a notary.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 9: Handle Louisiana License Plates and Registration
Remove your license plates before the buyer drives away. In Louisiana, plates belong to you (the owner), not the car.
You can transfer them to another vehicle you own, return them to your local OMV office, or destroy them.
The buyer gets new plates when they register the car.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Submit the Release of Liability
File online with the Louisiana OMV after you sell the car. Do this immediately after the sale date.
This files the Notice of Transfer (Form DPSMV 1697) with the state. It removes your name from the vehicle record and protects you from tickets, accidents, or any other issues that happen after the sale.
Step 11: Cancel Insurance
Cancel your insurance only after the title transfer is complete.
Learn more: When to Cancel Car Insurance After Selling a Car?
Louisiana OMV Resources
State Resources:
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV)
- OMV Office Locations
- Notice of Transfer (online filing)
- List of All 50 State DMV Websites
Phone Support:
- (225) 925-6146
Louisiana Fees and Costs
| What You Pay? | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $68.50 | Before sale |
| Expedited title service (optional) | $50 extra | For 3 to 5 business day processing |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title after we complete the sale?
The buyer has 40 days from the sale date to complete the title transfer at the Louisiana OMV. After 40 days, they’ll face late fees on top of the regular transfer costs. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, they have until the next business day.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in Louisiana?
Yes, Louisiana requires your signature on the title to be notarized. Both you and the buyer must sign in front of a notary at the same time. Banks, credit unions, and many shipping stores offer notary services, usually for $5 to $15.
When is a bill of sale required in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires a bill of sale for all private vehicle sales. Use Form DPSMV 1690 from the OMV. The bill of sale must be notarized, just like the title.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in Louisiana?
Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender first. Get an official payoff statement or lien release letter from your lender on their letterhead. Louisiana won’t process the title transfer with an active lien still listed on the vehicle.
If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
My car was inherited. What additional Louisiana forms do I need?
If the total estate value is $125,000 or less, Louisiana allows you to use a Small Succession Affidavit to transfer the title without going through full probate. For larger estates, a formal Louisiana Succession (probate court process) is required before you can transfer the title into your name.
In both cases, you’ll need to transfer the title into your name at the OMV first, then sell the car as you would normally. Bring the succession documents or court order when you visit the OMV.
Both my spouse and I are on the Louisiana title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on how the names appear on the title. If the names are connected with “AND,” everyone listed must sign and have their signature notarized. If connected with “OR,” just one owner needs to sign.
What if I make a mistake on the Louisiana title?
Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. Any corrections void the Louisiana title entirely. You’ll need to apply for a duplicate title using Form DPSMV 1799, which costs $68.50, and start the transfer process over.
The buyer is from out of state. Does Louisiana require anything special?
Your obligations as the Louisiana seller are the same. Complete the notarized title assignment, sign the notarized bill of sale, and file your Notice of Transfer with the OMV. The buyer will use your completed Louisiana title to register the car in their home state.
Do Louisiana license plates transfer to the buyer?
No, Louisiana license plates stay with you (the seller). Remove them before the buyer leaves. You can transfer them to another vehicle you own, return them to your local OMV office, or destroy them.
Do I need to file a release of liability after selling my car in Louisiana?
Yes. File the Notice of Transfer (Form DPSMV 1697) online at the Louisiana OMV website immediately after the sale. This removes your name from state vehicle records and protects you from tickets, accidents, or other issues that happen after the sale.
Article Update History
Louisiana's OMV requirements, fees, and forms were verified against the state's official sources.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.