A Louisiana boat bill of sale can be used in private boat sales to document the change of ownership between parties. The form contains the boat’s registration number, hull ID number, make, model, and the signatures of both the buyer and seller. If the boat is motorized, the bill of sale must also state the engine’s unique serial number and sales price. The parties can finalize the purchase by signing the document in the presence of two (2) witnesses and a notary public. Once the transaction is complete, the seller has fifteen (15) days to report the transfer to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).

Louisiana Boat Registration

Louisiana requires the registration of all motorized boats, non-motorized houseboats, and sailboats that are twelve (12) feet or longer. To register, the new owner will need to complete the following:

1. Fill out a Boat Registration/Boat and Motor Title Application. If the boat is a non-motorized houseboat, the owner must instead complete a Non-Motorized Houseboat Registration Application, an Affidavit of Ownership of a Non-Motorized Houseboat, and take photos of the houseboat.
2. Prepare for registration by gathering the notarized bill of sale and the boat’s current title and registration certificate.
3. File the paperwork in-person at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters and pay the registration fee (fees vary depending on the type and size of the boat). Alternatively, registration packages can be sent by mail to the following address:

LDWF
Attn: Boat Registration/Boat and Motor Title Application
PO Box 14796
Baton Rouge, LA 70898