Transfer a car title after a death in Louisiana

To transfer a vehicle from a person who died, the OMV accepts one of three documents: a certified copy of a judgment of possession that shows who gets the vehicle; a small succession affidavit with the list of property that describes the vehicle; or, if neither is possible, the OMV Affidavit of Heirship signed under oath by the surviving spouse and heirs, with a copy of the death certificate (and a copy of the will or a notarized statement of its vehicle provisions if there is a will).

Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.

Car or vehicle title after a death in Louisiana

To transfer a vehicle from a person who died, the OMV accepts one of three documents: a certified copy of a judgment of possession that shows who gets the vehicle; a small succession affidavit with the list of property that describes the vehicle; or, if neither is possible, the OMV Affidavit of Heirship signed under oath by the surviving spouse and heirs, with a copy of the death certificate (and a copy of the will or a notarized statement of its vehicle provisions if there is a will). You may also need the title (assigned and notarized for titles issued on or after January 1, 1990), the Vehicle Application (DPSMV 1799), a notarized bill of sale or act of donation if the vehicle goes to someone else, an odometer statement, a lien release letter if there was a lien, and photo ID.

Agency
Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), Department of Public Safety and Corrections
Form
OMV Affidavit of Heirship
Fee

The OMV title fee is $68.50, plus an $8.00 handling fee. Recording a new lien costs $15.00 (UCC) or $10.00 (other). Sales tax is due if the vehicle is sold.

Source: Official page

Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?

Kind of propertyHow it is treatedDetails
Cars and other vehicles
Counts

A vehicle in the person's name is property they left. The Office of Motor Vehicles accepts a small succession affidavit that describes the vehicle; it also has its own Affidavit of Heirship.

Law: La. C.C.P. art. 3421

Boats and mobile or manufactured homes
Counts

Boats and mobile homes owned by the person are property they left and are listed with their value.

Law: La. C.C.P. arts. 3421, 3432(A)(5)-(6)

Related pages

Free help in Louisiana

A court self-help center or a legal aid office can check whether the estate qualifies, free of charge or at low cost.