Important Terms for a Bill of Sale
- Property location: This section specifies the location of the property listed on the bill of sale.
- Seller: This includes the seller or sellers’ identifying information like name and address.
- Buyer: This includes the buyer or buyers’ identifying information.
- Sales tax: This section indicates the amount of sales tax included in the transaction, if any.
- Property: This section lists descriptive information about the property and any special conditions that apply. For vehicles, this is where the VIN, odometer reading, and other identifying information is listed.
- Witness information: This section includes information about any witnesses to the signing of the bill of sale. The witness can be either a public notary or two parties agreed upon by the buyer and seller.
- As-is: When a buyer agrees to purchase an item “as-is,” they are agreeing to purchase the property in its current state at the time of sale.
- Gift: When the property is given to the buyer for free, there can be tax implications in the following year. This mostly applies to vehicles and large purchases.
- Certification/Signature: The buyer and seller must sign the bill of sale to finalize the agreement. Signatures can be made in person or digitally through a certified digital signature provider. PandaDoc documents allow users to gather legal digital signatures.
1. Louisiana Bill of Sale Requirements
In the state of Louisiana, bill of sale requirements depend on the type of property being sold and how the sale is conducted. When you buy a vehicle from a private individual, Louisiana requires you to provide a completed bill of sale form.
Why Use One?
It’s a good idea to use a bill of sale even when it isn’t required by law. This document can serve as a receipt of the transaction, providing protections to both buyer and seller. Filling in the form adds legal transparency to the exchange.
Additional Considerations
Language Requirements
Louisiana does not provide bills of sale or any forms, such as the Office of Motor Vehicle (OMV) Vehicle Application form, in languages other than English. Since the state does not provide translators, you’ll need to work with your own interpreter if you are not a fluent English speaker.
Buyers and sellers can agree to a bill of sale in another language as long as both parties understand their copy of the document.
Number of Copies
In circumstances where you are required to provide a bill of sale, you must provide a notarized copy to the state of Louisiana. It’s always a good idea to make copies of bills of sales for buyers and sellers, as well.
Junk or Salvage Vehicles
Louisiana does not register junk vehicles. In order to drive a vehicle that has been declared salvage or junk, you will need to obtain a reconstructed title.
Junk vehicles can be sold between two parties in Louisiana, however. In this case, a bill of sale must be used to document the transaction. A notarized copy of this sale will be required as part of the reconstructed vehicle titling process.
After Purchasing a Vehicle
To register a vehicle in Louisiana, you’ll need to complete certain paperwork in addition to a bill of sale, which the state calls a Bill of Sale of a Movable.
For Sellers
In Louisiana, the seller must sign the title over to the new owner by filling in fields on the back of the form. If you have misplaced the vehicle title, you can request a duplicate title through the OMV.
Sellers must complete a Notice of Vehicle Transfer within five days after the sale, online or with Form DPSMV 1697.
For Buyers
Buyers have 40 days to register their new vehicles in Louisiana. To complete registration, buyers must appear in person at their local OMV office with:
- The completed title, signed by the previous owner with odometer reading, sales price, and valid seller’s signature
- A notarized Bill of Sale of a Movable
- A completed Vehicle Application Form DPSMV1799
- A valid inspection certificate
- A copy of the current registration
- Odometer disclosure, if the vehicle is less than ten years old
- Fees for registration, title, and sales tax
2. Louisiana Car (Vehicle) Bill of Sale (Bill of Sale of a Movable)
You will need to provide a bill of sale to register a vehicle purchased from a private party in Louisiana. Louisiana’s bill of sale of a “movable,” a term that refers to various types of vehicles, also serves as a receipt of the transaction and provides legal proof of ownership.
The bill of sale of a movable should be signed by the buyer and the seller in front of a notary. The form must list:
- The parish where the sale took place
- Make
- Model
- Year
- VIN
- Color
- Odometer reading
3. Louisiana Boat Bill of Sale
In Louisiana, you must submit an original, notarized bill of sale of boat and motor in order to register a boat. The boat bill of sale must include:
- Make or manufacturer
- Year
- Hull ID number
- Registration number (if previously registered)
- Odometer (hours)
- Title number
- Description of any included trailers or motors, including year, make, and information like motor horsepower
4. Louisiana Firearm Bill of Sale
In addition to basic identifying information for the buyer and seller, you will need to list the following information on a gun bill of sale in Louisiana:
- Caliber
- Make
- Model
- Serial number
- Any defects present
- Purchase price
- Description of accessories like a holster or case
If the seller does not collect the entire purchase amount at the time of the transaction, the bill of sale should list the due date and any down payment that the buyer makes.
To add more authenticity to a Louisiana firearm bill of sale, you can have the signing witnessed and notarized.
5. Louisiana Horse or Livestock Bill of Sale
Louisiana does not require a bill of sale to complete a horse or livestock sale. As a good business practice, however, you may want to use a generic horse or livestock bill of sale or a general bill of sale to document the transaction.
6. Louisiana Aircraft Bill of Sale
The state of Louisiana does not offer statewide or parish-specific bills of sale for aircraft. All aircraft sales in the US must comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, however. The FAA aircraft bill of sale must be completed to comply with federal law.
7. Louisiana General Bill of Sale
In Louisiana, you can use a template for a general bill of sale to document almost any personal property sale. The state does not provide an official general bill of sale.
When you fill in a Louisiana general bill of sale, you’ll need to include the buyer’s and seller’s contact information. You’ll also want to describe the property you are selling. Other information you could list on the bill of sale includes:
- Serial or model number
- Color
- Size
- Physical description
- Condition of the property
- Whether the property is a gift
You can also include the purchase price or details of a trade agreement between the buyer and seller. If money will still be owed to the seller after the property is transferred between the parties, the general bill of sale should list the due date.
