Use our template for your Louisiana boat bill of sale to transfer vessel ownership before registration with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
If you want to buy or sell a boat, you must sign a bill of sale. If you are buying from a dealer, this isn’t necessary. If you’re the new boat owner, you need the bill of sale to register the vessel.
Louisiana Boat Bill of Sale Requirements
In Louisiana, a boat bill of sale must include the information below:
- The name of your Parish
- The seller’s registration number
- The legal names of the buyer and seller
- The boat manufacturer, make, and model
- The boat’s Hull Identification Number (HIN)
- The boat’s motor serial number
- The sale price for the boat and motor, if applicable
- The date signed
- Witness signatures
- A signature from a notary public
Language Requirements
All forms provided by the state are available in English only. However, your boat bill of sale can be in any language you and the other party speak fluently. If you wish to translate your document to English, you must supply your own translator since the state will not provide one.
Number of Copies
Be sure you have multiple copies of your Louisiana boat bill of sale to provide to the Department of Wildlife, the Department of Revenue, and other agencies to register and pay taxes on your watercraft legally.
Registering a Boat (After Purchasing)
To register a boat in Louisiana, visit the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters in Baton Rouge during regular business hours.
Alternatively, you can send your application in the mail to:
Louisiana Department of Wildlife (LDWF)
Attn: Boat Registration/Boat and Motor Title Application
PO Box 14796
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
Documents Needed to Obtain Title and Registration
When registering a boat you’ve purchased from an individual; you need the bill of sale, the original boat title, and registration papers. You must also complete a Boat Registration/Boat and Motor Title Application. You can bring it or mail it to the department with your original documents.
Fees
How much you will pay to register a boat in Louisiana depends on the length of your watercraft. Longer boats will cost more to register than shorter boats. These fees are as follows:
- Class A watercraft, less than 16 feet—$36 per year
- Class I watercraft, from 16 feet to under 26 feet—$57 per year
- Class II watercraft, from 26 feet to under 40 feet—$78 per year
- Class III watercraft, more than 40 feet—$99 per year
Exemptions (If Applicable)
The only boats exempt from title and registration laws are the following:
- Sailboats that are 12 feet long or less
- Sailboards
- US Coast Guard boats currently in use by the USCG
- A sailboat or motor boat that has a valid title and registration from another country or state and is in Louisiana waters for fewer than 90 days
All other watercraft must register with the Department of Wildlife and display the provided decal in a prominent area on their boat.
Louisiana Boat Bill of Sale Template
Below, you can download a Louisiana boat bill of sale in PDF or Word format:
Does a Boat Bill of Sale Have to be Notarized in Louisiana?
A boat bill of sale must be notarized in Louisiana. A notary public can often be found at local banks, real estate offices, shipping stores, law firms, and other professional establishments.
