When buying or selling a car or when registering it with the Office of Motor Vehicles, you’ll need to have proof that you’re the owner of the vehicle. A car title, registration, and bill of sale all help establish legal ownership, but they go about it in different ways. Here’s a closer look at the key differences between these three types of documents.

Car Title

A title states in black and white the name of the vehicle's legal owner. If you have a car loan, the lender's name also appears on the title. Once you have paid off the loan, the title is put in your name only. When you sell a car, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles requires you to submit a Notice of Vehicle Transfer. Once the new owner applies for a title, the OMV will then initiate the transfer of the title from the seller to the buyer.

Registration

This document states you have registered and recorded your vehicle with the Office of Motor Vehicles and paid all applicable taxes and fees. In order to obtain a registration, a car title is needed. Registrations are typically updated and paid yearly, and the vehicle owner receives renewal stickers to place on their license plates as evidence that they’re in compliance with state motor vehicle laws and regulations.

Bills of Sale

A bill of sale contains information about the transaction between a car seller and car buyer. This document is needed to obtain both a car title and registration. A generic bill of sale should include the following: the names of the buyer and seller; the date of the transaction; the year, make, and model of the vehicle; the vehicle identification number (VIN); and the signatures of both parties. Bring the bill of sale with you when registering or titling the vehicle.

Guillory's Title & Notary Service is here to guide you through the process of filing or transferring car titles, applying for vehicle registrations, and notarizing bills of sale. For over 15 years, they’ve been a trusted source of legal document preparation with prompt and accurate service at a price you can afford. Call (337) 506-3957 to start the titling or registration process or to find out how to get your bill of sale notarized. Visit the website to learn more about their services.