Title Transfers in Louisiana

How to Complete a Louisiana Title Transfer
  1. Buyer and seller must complete the title assignment on the current title certificate and have it notarized.
  2. Complete a vehicle application.
  3. Complete an odometer disclosure statement, if applicable.
  4. Submit the above, with payment, to the OMV.
  5. Seller should submit a Notice of Transfer or report the transaction online.

Read below to learn more about title transfers in Louisiana.

New-to-State Title Transfers

After you have moved to Louisiana, you can complete a vehicle title transfer by submitting the following to the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV):

  • A completed Vehicle Application (Form DPSMV 1799).
    • Remember to complete the “Out of State Declaration" section.
  • The vehicle title certificate from your previous state.
    • If you are paying a car loan, and your lender has the title, you can submit a copy of the title, or your registration certificate from your previous state.
  • Proof of car insurance.
  • Payment for the title transfer fee.

You can submit the above in person at your local OMV office location, or by mail to the address listed on the application.

If you are transferring the title to a car that was previously titled under your parent's or legal guardian's name for insurance purposes, you may qualify for a tax credit if:

  • You submit a notarized affidavit stating the relationship between you and the person named on the title.
  • The affidavit is signed by the person named on the title.
  • The vehicle was titled in a state that has a reciprocal agreement with Louisiana to allow road use tax credit.

Buying or Selling a LA Vehicle

Buying from a Dealer

When you purchase a new car from a dealer, you can expect the dealer to handle the bulk of the vehicle title application process. The following must be submitted to the OMV:

  • A completed Vehicle Application (Form DPSMV 1799).
  • Manufacturer's statement of origin, assigned to you by the dealer, and notarized.
  • Itemized invoice.
  • Odometer disclosure.
  • Photocopy of your driver's license or ID.
  • Copy of financing statement or security agreement (if applicable).
  • Title fee and applicable sales tax.

Buying from a Private Seller

When you purchase a car from a private seller, it is your responsibility to complete the auto title transfer; you have 40 days to file for your title. Bring the following to the Office of Motor Vehicles office:

  • A completed Vehicle Application (Form DPSMV 1799).
  • The current title certificate, assigned to you by the previous owner and notarized. The title must contain:
    • Date of sale.
    • Selling price.
    • Both buyer and seller signatures.
  • Notarized bill of sale, if the title certificate does not contain the above listed information.
  • Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form DSPMV 1606), if the car is less than 10 years old.
  • Copy of your ID or driver's license.
  • Proof of Louisiana car insurance.
  • Payment for any applicable title transfer fees.
Don't Get Stuck with a Lemon!

Order a vehicle history report and make sure the car you think you're buying is the car you're actually going to get!

Selling a Car

When you sell a car, it is the buyer's responsibility to complete the DMV title transfer by submitting all necessary paperwork. However, you are responsible for the following:

  • Assignment of title to the buyer. Include:
    • Date of sale.
    • Selling price.
    • Your notarized signature.
  • If the title does not allow you to provide the information listed above, provide the buyer with a notarized bill of sale.

Although the title transfer will not legally be completed until the buyer has finished the application process, you can inform the OMV of the sale immediately. Visit the OMV website to complete a Notice of Transfer online.

When completing a vehicle transfer notice online, be prepared to provide:

  • Your license plate number and expiration dates.
    • Do not give your plates to the new owner.
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • Driver's license number.
  • Buyer's:
    • Name.
    • Address.
  • Date of sale (donation/trade).
  • Selling price.

You can also notify the OMV of the vehicle transfer by completing a Notice of Transfer of Vehicle (Form DPSMV 1697), and submitting it to your local OMV branch or mailing it the address listed on the form.

Donated & Gifted Cars

If you are transferring ownership by donating or gifting a car in Louisiana, you may need to submit an Act of Donation of a Movable, which should be completed and notarized with the signatures of the donor and recipient.

Contact the OMV for more information on car title transfers for donated or gifted cars.

Inherited Vehicles in LA

The process for completing a car title transfer for a Louisiana inherited vehicle differs depending on how distribution of the estate is determined.

  • If the court has determined distribution, you'll need a court order to complete a car title transfer.
  • If distribution is determined through the Department of Revenue (DOR), you'll need to submit an Affidavit of Small Succession as part of the title transfer application.
  • For instances when succession is not determined by the court or DOR, you'll need to submit BOTH:
    • An Affidavit of Heirship (Form DPSMV 1696).
      AND
    • A copy of the death certificate and will (or notarized statement of the contents of the will).

If the heir is an out-of-state resident and the home state will NOT accept the Affidavit of Heirship, the out-of-state officials must write a letter stating this fact.

Additionally, you will have to submit the following to the Louisiana OMV in order to complete a vehicle title transfer:

Obtaining a Lien Release

Once you have paid off your car loan, your lender should release the lien hold on your car. To complete a DMV title transfer and obtain a clear Louisiana title, submit the following to the OMV:

  • Vehicle Application (Form DPSMV 1799).
  • Your title certificate reflecting the lien release.
    • If the title does not reflect the lien release, get a letter from your lender—written on their letterhead—stating that the lien has been satisfied. The letter must also include the lienholder's:
      • Name.
      • Address.
      • Telephone number.
  • A copy of your current registration.
  • Payment for the $68.50 lien release fee.

Vehicle Title Transfer Fees

The fees for an auto title transfer in Louisiana are as follows:

  • All titling transactions: $68.50.
  • Public license tag agents fee: $18 (max fee title not obtained through OMV). 
  • Lien release fee: $68.50.
  • Handling fee: Varies by OMV branch location.
  • In-person credit/debit fee: Additional $1.25 plus 1% of the transaction total.
  • E-check fee: Additional $1.
  • Sales tax: Based on where you live and the selling price of your vehicle.

Louisiana Title Replacement

To replace a lost or damaged Louisiana title submit the following to the OMV:

  • A completed Vehicle Application (Form DPSMV 1799).
    • Complete the “Duplicate Title Affidavit" section and have it notarized.
    • Complete the “Affidavit of Non-Possession of Title by Lienholder" section and have it notarized IF there is an active lien hold on the title.
    • If you want the duplicate title to be sent to anyone other than named person on the title, you must check the authorization section of the application.
  • Copy of your current registration.
  • Power of attorney (notarized) if you are applying on someone's behalf.
  • Payment for the title fee.

If you have moved out of state and need to order a duplicate title from the Louisiana OMV, you'll also need to send a statement from your new state's DMV affirming that they have not issued you a new title.

Forms

DPSMV 1696
Affidavit of Heirship
If you're the heir/surviving spouse, use this OMV form to request ownership of a vehicle belonging to a deceased person in Louisiana.
DPSMV 1697
Notice of Transfer of Vehicle
Notify the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles that you've sold, donated, or traded a vehicle and no longer own it.
DSPMV 1606
Odometer Disclosure Statement
Use this OMV form to disclose the number of miles on a vehicle you're transferring ownership of.
DPSMV 1799
Vehicle Application
Office of Motor Vehicles application for a Louisiana vehicle title and registration.
DMV.ORG BBB Business Review