Lake Charles, Louisiana
How to Fill Out a Lake Charles Boat Bill of Sale
Complete guide for filling out a boat bill of sale in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Includes the exact LA OMV – Lake Charles Office location, current tax rates, and notarization requirements.
Title Transfer Fee
$68.50
Sales Tax Rate
9.45%
Notarization
Required
Step-by-Step: Filling Out Your Lake Charles Boat Bill of Sale
- 1
Enter seller and buyer information
Write full legal names and current addresses exactly as they appear on government-issued IDs. Both buyer and seller must use their full legal names — no nicknames or abbreviations. Errors here cause delays at the LA OMV – Lake Charles Office.
- 2
Record Boat details and VIN
Enter the year, make, model, body style, color, and the 17-character VIN exactly as printed on the dashboard (visible through the windshield) or door jamb sticker. The VIN must match the vehicle title exactly.
- 3
Record sale price, date, and payment method
Write the agreed sale price in both numeral form ($12,500.00) and written form (twelve thousand five hundred dollars). Enter the exact date of the sale — this date triggers the Louisiana title transfer requirement. Note payment method: cash, check, or other.
- 4
Sign in front of a licensed notary
Louisiana requires notarization. Do not sign until you are in the presence of a licensed notary public. Find a notary at a bank, credit union, UPS Store, or use online notarization (Proof). Louisiana requires notarization of the title assignment for private party vehicle transfers.
- 5
Submit to the LA OMV – Lake Charles Office
Bring the signed bill of sale, the vehicle title (signed over on the back), and a valid ID to: 1500 E Prien Lake Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70601. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. Phone: (337) 491-2700. You'll pay the title transfer fee of $68.50 and sales tax at 9.45%.
Lake Charles Title & Registration Office
Office
LA OMV – Lake Charles Office
Address
1500 E Prien Lake Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone
(337) 491-2700
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Special requirements in Calcasieu Parish:
- Notarized Act of Sale required for vehicle transfers
- Title transfer at OMV within 40 days
- Sales tax collected at title transfer
- Seller must sign title and disclose odometer reading
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Signing before the notary if notarization is required — the notary must witness the signature
- ✗VIN errors — even one wrong character causes the LA DMV to reject the title transfer
- ✗Leaving the sale price blank or writing "gift" if money changed hands — this triggers audit risk
- ✗Using correction fluid to fix mistakes — always initial handwritten corrections instead
- ✗Not keeping a copy — both buyer and seller need a signed original
FAQ — Boat Bill of Sale in Lake Charles
- Where do I file a boat bill of sale in Lake Charles?
- File at the LA OMV – Lake Charles Office, located at 1500 E Prien Lake Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70601. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. Phone: (337) 491-2700.
- What is the vehicle title transfer fee in Lake Charles?
- The title transfer fee in Calcasieu Parish is $68.50. Combined sales tax rate: 9.45%. Louisiana state rate 4.45% + Calcasieu Parish 5.0%
- Does Lake Charles, Louisiana require notarization for a boat bill of sale?
- Yes. Louisiana requires notarization of the title assignment for private party vehicle transfers.