Vehicles

Your old plate has been cancelled. It does not have to be turned in, but you should destroy it.

To have the vehicle transferred to a new owner, you must first determine how the estate has been settled by the heirs.

If a succession was opened through the courts, you must submit a certified copy of the final judgment of possession, showing the disposition of the vehicle.

If the heirs filed a small succession through the Department Of Revenue, you must submit the validated "Affidavit of Small Succession", along with the descriptive list of property, which must include a description of the vehicle in question.

If the requirements for opening a succession or the filing of a small succession cannot be met, it will be necessary for the heirs to complete an "Affidavit of Heirship." This form must be accompanied by a photostatic copy of the death certificate. If the decedent died testate (executed a will), a copy of the will or a notarized statement of its contents relevant to vehicles must be submitted. The notarized statement must be made and signed by the one in possession of the original will.

In addition to these requirements, the following documents may be necessary:

• Vehicle Application form (DPSMV1799) for title properly executed by the recipient of the vehicle.
• Certificate of title, if available. If the issue date of the title is January 1, 1990 or later, the assignment of the title must be completed by one of the heirs and the recipient of the vehicle and notarized.
• Current certificate of registration, if available.
• Notarized bill of sale or act of donation from all heirs to the recipient of the vehicle.
• Federal odometer disclosure statement completed by the buyer and seller on vehicles within ten model years.
• If the decedent's title reflected a lien, you must submit a satisfaction of lien written on the lienholder's company letterhead. The letter must include name, address, and telephone number of the lienholder.
• If a lien is to be recorded in the new owner's name, you must submit a completed UCC-1 or Security Agreement showing a full description of the vehicle. When a UCC instrument is submitted to record a lien, include a $15.00 recordation fee. When any other lien instrument is submitted to record a lien, include a $10.00 recordation fee.
• If the vehicle is being sold, sales tax is due based on the selling price of the vehicle. The percentage of sales tax due is determined by applicant's domicile.
• If an heir is an out-of-state resident and the state of residence will not accept the Louisiana Affidavit of Heirship, written documentation from that state indicating that the Louisiana Heirship form will not be accepted must be submitted with the file.
• All files with a date of sale on or after August 1, 2012, must include a copy of the vehicle owner's current and valid photo identification. The photo identification provided should be a driver's license or identification card issued by this state, another state, or by the United States military.

When, as a result of an insurance settlement, a motor vehicle is declared to be a total loss, the insurance company, its authorized agent or the vehicle owner must apply for a salvage title within thirty (30) days from the settlement of the property damage claim. A salvage title is issued in the name of the insurance company, its authorized agent or vehicle owner who may dismantle, sell, rebuild or restore the salvaged vehicle.

The following items must be submitted before a salvage title can be issued:

• A completed Vehicle Application form (DPSMV1799) with the words "Salvage Title" written across the face of the application.
• The properly assigned title or manufacturer’s statement of origin with the words "Salvage Title" written across the face of title or statement of origin.
• A copy of the proof of loss from the insurance company.
• A UCC-1 financing statement or security agreement to record lien (if applicable).
• A notarized authorization from the insurance company naming the agent and including a complete description of the vehicle (model year, make, body style and complete vehicle identification number of the vehicle), if the vehicle is being titled in the name of the insurance company’s authorized agent’s name.
• Disclosure of salvage vehicle form.
• If a lien is to be recorded, you must submit a completed UCC-1 or Security Agreement showing a full description of the vehicle. When a UCC instrument is submitted to record a lien, include a $15.00 recordation fee. When any other lien instrument is submitted to record a lien, include a $10.00 recordation fee.

• A Vehicle Application form (DPSMV1799) must be completed and signed by the applicant.
• The current certificate of title must be submitted with the assignment completed and notarized, if applicable.
• If a lien was recorded, it must be properly released.
• Vehicles less than ten years old must have the federal odometer disclosure completed on the title, otherwise, a separate odometer statement must be submitted.
• The notarized bill of sale or invoice with the full description of the vehicle must be submitted if the title assignment does not reflect the date of sale, selling price, and buyer/seller signatures.
• Original or a copy of the financing statement or security agreement must be included if a lien is to be recorded. 
• All files with a date of sale on or after August 1, 2012, must include a copy of the vehicle owner's current and valid photo identification. The photo identification provided should be a driver's license or identification card issued by this state, another state, or by the United States military. 
• Proof of liability insurance coverage is required, unless the vehicle was purchased from a dealer.

The following additional documents will be required, along with the above, when the vehicle was purchased from an individual out of state.

• If neither the bill of sale nor the assignment of title is notarized out of state, a notarized affidavit is required from the out of state registered owner attesting to the fact that they are not a resident of Louisiana, or a copy of the seller's out-of-state driver's license (front and back) must be submitted.
• If the documentation submitted was notarized in Louisiana, and no residency documents are included in the file, it can then be assumed that the registered owner shown on the out-of-state title has become a resident of Louisiana and must pay use tax. A "double transfer" will then be processed with tax collected on both transactions.

 All documents and fees must be submitted simultaneously to the local Office of Motor Vehicles or mailed to Headquarters

With the issuance of registrations for 2011, Louisiana will stagger the expiration of apportioned license plates throughout the year for existing accounts. New accounts opened in 2011 forward will expire 12 months from the month the account is opened.

Renewal packets are mailed out 60 days prior to expiration.

A complete list of OMV offices and Public Tag Agents can be found at https://offices.omv.la.gov/