How to Get a Bill of Sale in Louisiana
A Louisiana bill of sale is a legal document that is generally used to formalize a sales transaction, and it may be required in several different situations, such as for the completion of certain official procedures through the state Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). A vehicle bill of sale may prove to be useful both for the seller and the buyer for vehicles not bought through a car dealership, as it usually contains important details about the purchase.
A car bill of sale typically includes the seller’s and purchaser’s names and addresses, as well as their signatures and the final price of the vehicle in question. Although a specific form is available to help drivers through the process of buying a car, one may also be able to utilize a generic form, depending on the procedure they apply for. Learn about completing a form by reading the sections below.
When is a bill of sale necessary in Louisiana?
Submitting a completed Louisiana auto bill of sale to the state OMV may be necessary under certain circumstances. Namely, a notarized DMV bill of sale including full description of the vehicle must be furnished to a local OMV office during a car title transfer of a used vehicle if the current certificate of auto title does not contain the exact date of sale, selling price or signatures of the seller and the buyer. Presenting a completed form will not be necessary if the vehicle’s title registration contains the aforementioned details, which may be useful for further vehicle-related transactions.
A notarized bill of sale form may also be required by the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) when transferring a vehicle from a deceased person to a new owner. Possessing a valid OMV bill of sale may also prove helpful to both the buyer and seller in the event of a legal dispute over the vehicle’s ownership.
Who needs a Louisiana bill of sale?
The details contained within an LA bill of sale PDF, including the personal information about the interested parties and the selling price of the vehicle, can prove valuable for finalizing different vehicle-related proceedings. For instance, a Louisiana bill of sale template can help the buyer when filing taxes.
Additionally, by presenting the form, the buyer can also prove he or she is the current owner of the vehicle in question. A simple bill of sale can also be useful for the seller of the vehicle. Keeping a copy in his or her records may protect the seller in the event of any future legal disagreements following the process of buying a car in the state.
How to Complete a Bill of Sale Form in Louisiana
The Louisiana car bill of sale document consists of various sections that require several types of information pertaining to the seller, buyer and vehicle in question.
The form provided by the LA Office of Motor Vehicles must include the following details:
- The names of the seller and buyer
- The vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make and model of the vehicle
- The vehicle’s selling price
- The date of sale
- The signatures of the seller, buyer and notary public
Those required to submit a vehicle bill of sale during a title and car registration process for a used vehicle may need to visit a local OMV branch or send all the applicable documentation by mail. Before signing a generic bill of sale, it is advisable to order a vehicle history report to ensure that the information displayed on the document is accurate.
Sources
- Basic Requirements for Obtaining a Certificate of Title from DPS.Louisiana.gov