Louisiana Title Transfer
Car buyers must submit their title transfer paperwork and $76.50 in fees to the Louisiana OMV within 40 days of the date of sale.
Written by Bellina Gaskey
Edited by Patrick Price
Table of Contents
- Louisiana Title Transfer
- Registering a car in Louisiana
- Title transfer basics: What you need to know
- Reasons for a title transfers
- Title transfer responsibility
Load full table of contents
If you are changing a car’s ownership in the state of
Louisiana
, you need to complete a title transfer
. This can be done at your local Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) for a title fee of $68.50 and a handling fee of $8. - Car buyers have 40 days to submit their title transfer paperwork to the LA OMV and update their vehicle registration when buying a car in a private sale
- Buyers must submit Vehicle Application Form DPSMV 1799 to their local OMV while sellers must submit a Notice of Transfer of Vehicle Form DPSMV 1697.
- In addition to the title fee and handling fee, a car buyer should be prepared to pay a $20 to $82 license plate fee and at least 4% in sales tax when registering the vehicle.
- Car buyers have 40 days to submit their title transfer paperwork to the LA OMV and update their vehicle registration when buying a car in a private sale
- Buyers must submit Vehicle Application Form DPSMV 1799 to their local OMV while sellers must submit a Notice of Transfer of Vehicle Form DPSMV 1697.
- In addition to the title fee and handling fee, a car buyer should be prepared to pay a $20 to $82 license plate fee and at least 4% in sales tax when registering the vehicle.
Louisiana Title Transfer
You have 40 days from the date of sale to submit the necessary auto title transfer paperwork to the OMV when
buying a car from a private seller
in Louisiana. There is a $68.50 title fee and an $8 handling fee.Here’s what the buyer will need to do:
- Retrieve the current vehicle title: You’ll need the currentcertificate of titlesigned by the seller. You can request a duplicate title if necessary.
- Fill out the title transfer section on the Louisiana Certificate of Title: Include your full legal name and address, the previous owner’s name and address, the date of the sale, and the odometer reading. The title will need to be approved by a notary.
- Fill out Vehicle Application form (DPSMV 1799): You can eitherdownload the formor request it from your local OMV. This form should include the vehicle, mobile home, or vessel description, an odometer disclosure statement for vehicles under 10 years old and trucks under 16,000 pounds, and the buyer’s and seller’s signatures.
When you head to the OMV, you’ll also need to bring the following:
- Driver’s license or proof of identification
- Documents from your lender with proof of lien payment, if applicable
Here’s what the seller will need to do:
- Sign the necessary forms: Fill out the current certificate of title with your vehicle buyer and complete with a notarized signature to authorize the sale.
- Complete a Notice of Transfer of Vehicle (DPSMV 1697): Private sellers will need todownload this formand submit it to their local OMV to notify the state of the title transfer.
Key Takeaway: The Louisiana Certificate of Title, vehicle application form, personal documents, and title/handling fees are all crucial components of the title transfer process.
Registering a car in Louisiana
Once you’ve completed the title transfer, it’s time to
register the vehicle with the OMV
. Your Vehicle registration certificate proves that your car is safe to drive on the road and that you’ve paid the necessary fees required by Louisiana law. When you go to register a car in Louisiana, you can expect to pay the following in taxes and fees:
Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
License plate fees | $20 to $82 | Based on your vehicle value and reassessed each year |
License transfer fee | $3 | This is the cost to transfer your license plates to a new vehicle |
Lien recording fee | $10 to $15 | Fee charged to keep a record of a lien on a vehicle |
Taxes | 4 - 9.5% | Louisiana car purchases include at least a 4% sales tax, additional sales tax by locality, and use tax if applicable. |
Title transfer basics: What you need to know
A car title is a legal document that establishes a vehicle’s proof of ownership. When you
sell your car
, you must transfer the title over to the new owner so they can register the vehicle in their name. There are two steps for transferring a car’s title:
- The seller must sign the existing title to release ownership.
- The buyer must take the signed title to the DMV (or OMV), and the state will issue a new title and registration.
Some states may require additional steps to transfer ownership, including:
- Producing a notarized bill of sale
- Completing a transfer of ownership form
- Noting the car’s selling price
- Providing an up-to-date odometer reading
Reasons for a title transfers
The most common reasons for a title transfer are a residency change and buying/selling a car. Here are a few other reasons why you might need to transfer titles:
Title transfer responsibility
The following parties are responsible for a title transfer, depending on the type of sale:
- Buying a car in a private sale: The seller is responsible for preparing and signing the title and, specifically in Louisiana, notifying the OMV. The buyer, however, is responsible for completing the title transfer within the state’s grace period.
- Buying a car from a dealership: Your car dealer will typically request any necessary documents and do all the paperwork for you through the DMV or OMV. The title will typically be sent to the buyer in the mail.
“I just had to buy a new car, and I needed quick help to get insurance before I could get my plates. Because I work so many hours,Jerrywas the ideal choice for getting things done without long phone calls and waiting periods.” —Rosa G.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.7You might also be interested
