Louisiana Vehicle Act of Donation
Giving a vehicle as a gift? Start with the official Louisiana Act of Donation form, prepare the information it asks for, and coordinate the required signing before your visit.
Download ChecklistDownload Official Form
The checklist is a preparation aid, not a government form or legal instrument. Official forms remain on the agency's website.
Gather before your visit
- Current vehicle title and any registration or agency instructions.
- Full legal names and contact information for the donor and recipient.
- Vehicle make, model, year, and VIN; match the description to the title.
- The relationship between donor and recipient and the vehicle value requested by the form.
- Lien-release paperwork and odometer information, if applicable.
Confirm before signing
- Call to coordinate the donor, recipient, notary, and two witnesses.
- Bring current government-issued photo ID; leave signatures unsigned.
- Read the title/lien statements and confirm that the documents describe the actual transaction.
After your visit
- Keep copies and complete the separate OMV title/registration process.
- Confirm applicable fees and agency requirements; a gift does not eliminate every filing fee.
Prepare for a gift, not a sale
The official form identifies the person giving the vehicle and the person accepting it, the vehicle, their relationship, and a value. It also contains statements about ownership and liens. If money, a loan assumption, conditions, or a dispute are involved, ask about the appropriate process before signing.
Coordinate the signing and the title paperwork
OMV's Act of Donation policy describes a donation signed before a notary with two witnesses. Its document list also includes the current title, vehicle application, and other items when applicable. Call ahead so we can coordinate the people and paperwork. A completed donation form is not a substitute for the new owner's title application.
Common questions
Do I need witnesses?
OMV's donation form includes two witness signatures. Call us before your visit to coordinate witnesses and confirm who needs to attend.
Does a gift mean no fees or taxes of any kind?
Do not assume that every charge disappears. Title, plate, handling, or other applicable charges may remain. Confirm current treatment with OMV, the processing office, or your tax adviser; our notary cannot provide tax advice.
Can the notary advise whether I should donate the vehicle?
No. We can explain the information needed and coordinate preparation and signing, but cannot recommend a legal or tax choice. Contact Perkins Road Notary for a free attorney referral when you need legal guidance.
Bring your paperwork. We can help with the signing.
Visit Perkins Road Notary at 6161 Perkins Road, Suite 1C, Baton Rouge. General notarizations are available on a walk-in basis. Call ahead for document preparation, multiple signers, or witness coordination. Bring a current government-issued photo ID and wait to sign until your notary visit.
Monday–Thursday, 8–5; Friday, 8–3:30. Open through lunch. Call for preparation, printing, and notarization pricing; free downloads do not include paid services.
Call before your visitSee notary services
Official sources and forms
- OMV Act of Donation form
- OMV donation policy, revised October 19, 2026
- OMV title and registration forms
Agency instructions and forms can change. Check the linked source before using a saved copy. A checklist does not guarantee that a packet is complete or that an agency will accept it.