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New Orleans, Louisiana Boat Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a boat in New Orleans, Louisiana. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

New Orleans, LouisianaBoatPopulation rank #50

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Boat VIN and vehicle details
  • Sale price and date
  • Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — Orleans Parish

DMV / Title Office

LA OMV – New Orleans Express Office

Address

2735 Louisiana Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

Phone

(504) 483-4080

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$68.50

Sales Tax Rate

9.45%

Base Registration Fee

$20.00

Louisiana state rate 4.45% + Orleans Parish 5.0%

Notarization: REQUIRED

Louisiana requires notarization of the vehicle title assignment for private party transfers. A notarized Act of Sale is the standard document.

New Orleans Transfer Checklist

  • Louisiana requires a notarized Act of Sale (bill of sale) for vehicle transfers
  • Title transfer at an OMV office within 40 days
  • Louisiana sales tax collected at title transfer
  • Seller must sign the title and provide odometer disclosure

County Information — Orleans Parish

County Clerk / Recorder

Orleans Parish Clerk of Court

Phone

(504) 407-0000

Boat market data and safety information

The most common boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party boat prices range from $5,000–$75,000. Boats average 1.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Steering.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used boat

Before completing a boat bill of sale in Louisiana, verify these safety items:

  • Verify Hull Identification Number (HIN) matches registration documents
  • Check for delamination, blistering, or water intrusion in fiberglass hulls
  • Inspect transom for softness or rot — the most expensive structural repair
  • Test all bilge pumps, navigation lights, and required safety equipment

Boat insurance and depreciation in Louisiana

Boat insurance averages $200–$500/year for boats under 26 ft. Agreed-value policies are preferred over actual-cash-value. Boats depreciate 30–40% in the first 5 years. Aluminum fishing boats hold value better than fiberglass sport boats. Peak season for private boat sales is early spring (march–may) ahead of boating season, with an average of 45 days on market.

Boat registration and titling

Boats are classified as "Watercraft (state-registered) or USCG-documented vessel" for registration purposes. Boats are measured by length, not weight, for registration. Trailers have separate weight-based registration. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to boats.

Boat sales in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans residents completing a boat bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Louisiana state rules. The state sales tax rate is 4.45%, 4.45% state plus parish taxes (total can exceed 10%). The most popular boat makes in Louisiana include Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler.

Louisiana bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,138 bill of sale documents for Louisiana transactions, with 31 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

Frequently asked questions

What county is New Orleans in, and which office handles title transfers?

New Orleans is in Orleans Parish. Title transfers are handled by the LA OMV – New Orleans Express Office at 2735 Louisiana Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. Phone: (504) 483-4080.

What is the sales tax rate on a boat sale in New Orleans?

The combined rate is 9.45%. Louisiana state rate 4.45% + Orleans Parish 5.0%.

Is notarization required for a boat bill of sale in New Orleans?

Yes. Louisiana requires notarization of the vehicle title assignment for private party transfers. A notarized Act of Sale is the standard document.

What fees should I expect when transferring a boat title in New Orleans?

Title transfer fee: $68.50. Base registration fee: $20.00. Sales tax at 9.45% is collected at the time of title transfer.