Louisiana boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration,
loan perfection, and operational requirements for the State of
Louisiana. More detailed information, forms, guidelines, and other resources are obtainable by downloading a
Boat Registration Kit
for this state. You will also find an extensive listing of general
purpose boat and trailer registration forms on our Forms
page.
Please visit our
State page for additional
articles and information about registering or titling boats, trailers,
and outboard motors.
The information presented here is subject to change and should be
confirmed with the respective state agency.
Please
read our
terms of use before proceeding.
|
Boat Registration Statistics |
There are
approximately 306,000 boats registered in the State of Louisiana |
|
Registration Numbering |
The boat
registration number prefix for Louisiana is "LA". |
|
Registration Agency |
Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries. |
|
Registration Requirements |
All boats
must be registered except sail boats less than 13' in length and
sailboards. Registration is required for Coast Guard documented
vessels which are used for recreational or commercial fishing
purposes. |
|
Title Requirements |
Starting Aug.
25, 2009 anyone required to register a new or previously owned
boat valued at $2,500 or greater, which will be financed through
a lending institution, is required to obtain a title. Titling is
optional for persons who already own their boat and have already
registered the vessel in Louisiana prior to Aug. 25, 2009 or
those who are purchasing a previously-owned boat that is already
registered in Louisiana. |
|
Conditional Registrations |
Louisiana
does not have provisions for bonded boat titles or conditional
boat registrations. Under these circumstances, ownership would
need to be established through an award from a court of proper
jurisdiction. |
|
Abandoned Boats |
Louisiana
does not have provisions for registering found or abandoned
boats. Under these circumstances, ownership would need to be
established through an award from a court of proper
jurisdiction. |
|
Registration Records |
Detailed
information on how to obtain verbal and written reports can be
found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Tax Requirements |
Sales tax is
levied on all boat transactions in Louisiana. |
|
Loan Perfection |
A security
interest on a non-documented boat in Alabama is perfected with a UCC
financing statement. If the vessel is Coast Guard documented, a
preferred vessel mortgage must be recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center. |
|
Ownership Designations |
Louisiana
does not designate joint ownership methods on registration
records. |
|
Residency Requirements |
Non-residents
may apply for a registration if the boat is located within the
State of Louisiana. |
| Hull
Inspection |
The hull
number must be inspected by a Louisiana law enforcement if
there is a discrepancy. |
|
Reporting Requirements |
Ownership
transfers, abandonments, and destructions must be reported to
the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries within 15 days. Stolen
boats must be reported within 5 days. |
|
Outboard Motors |
Louisiana
does not issue title or registration certificates for outboard motors. |
|
Boat Trailers |
Boat trailer
registrations and titles are issued in Louisiana. |
|
Notary Regulations |
Louisiana notary
commissions are for life, $10,000 bonding is required, and usage of
notary seals is optional. |
| Visitation
Period |
A visitation
period of 90 days is allowed for boats that are registered in another state,
Coast Guard documented, or registered in a foreign country. |
