To get a duplicate title in Louisiana, file Form DPSMV 1799 with the Office of Motor Vehicles and pay $76.50. You can submit the application by mail, in person at an OMV office, or through a public tag agent. The duplicate serves as legal proof of ownership when the original was lost, mutilated, or never arrived.
Who Can Apply
The registered owner on the title record is the standard applicant, and the form has a signature block for that owner. If someone else is applying on the owner’s behalf — a representative under power of attorney, a court-appointed curator, or a bankruptcy trustee — the OMV will require documentation of that authority.
If the vehicle has an active loan, the duplicate can still be issued, but Louisiana law requires the first-ranked lienholder to hold the certificate until the debt is paid. The new title goes to the lienholder rather than to you.1Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Code RS 32:708 – Issuance of Certificates; Satisfaction of Lien or Security Interest; Security Measures Some lenders prefer to request the duplicate themselves, so call yours before you apply.
Filling Out Form DPSMV 1799
The Vehicle Application is available at any OMV office or on the OMV website. For a duplicate, complete the vehicle information section and the duplicate title affidavit near the bottom of the form.2Louisiana Department of Public Safety. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles Policy 2.03 – Completion of Vehicle Application DPSMV 1799
You will need:
- The full vehicle identification number from the dashboard plate or door jamb.
- The owner’s name exactly as it appears on the existing record, including any joint owner.
- Your current residence address, or the business location if the vehicle is used commercially.
- A checked box for the reason: Lost, Mutilated, or Never Received.3Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle Application
The form does not list “stolen” or “damaged” as separate options. Check Lost if the title was stolen. Check Mutilated if it was physically damaged, and include the damaged original with your application if you still have it.
Documents to Bring
Bring valid photo identification, such as a Louisiana driver’s license or state-issued ID. A copy of the vehicle’s current registration certificate is not required, but it helps the OMV locate your record faster.
If a Prior Lien Still Shows on Your Record
If OMV records still show a lien but you have already paid off the loan, you need to prove the lien has been satisfied. Policy 15.00 accepts any of the following:4Louisiana Department of Public Safety. Policy 15.00 Duplicate Titles
- The original promissory note stamped “Paid” by the lender.
- A satisfaction of lien on the lienholder’s company letterhead, showing the company name, address, and phone number.
- A notarized affidavit of satisfaction signed by a lienholder representative confirming payment in full.
If you are not sure whether a lien still appears on your record, call the OMV before you submit so you are not turned back at the counter.
Fees
The duplicate title itself costs $68.50, plus an $8.00 handling fee, for a total of $76.50.5Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle Registration, Title and Plate Fees These amounts are set by statute.6FindLaw. Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit 32 728 – Fees
A public tag agent can charge a convenience fee of up to $23 per transaction, bringing your maximum total to about $99.50.7Justia Law. Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:532.1 – Public License Tag Agents Mailed applications require a money order or check. In-person visits at OMV offices may accept debit or credit cards, and credit payments sometimes carry a small processing surcharge.
Where to Submit
You have three ways to file the application:
- By mail, sending the completed DPSMV 1799, supporting documents, and a money order or check to the address printed on the form. Cash and card payments are not processed by mail.
- In person at any Louisiana OMV office, where staff can review everything on the spot and flag problems before you leave.
- Through a public tag agent, which costs more but often means a shorter wait.
Louisiana’s Express Lane online portal handles some vehicle transactions, but a duplicate title generally requires the original signed DPSMV 1799 to be submitted physically. If what you actually need is a replacement registration card rather than a title, Express Lane can handle that online.
How Long It Takes
Processing time depends on the channel. Mail-in applications are the slowest and can take several weeks. In-person submissions are typically faster because staff enter the application the same day, though the title still has to be printed and mailed. Some public tag agents quote five to seven business days.
The duplicate is mailed to the registered owner’s address on file, or to the lienholder if a lien exists. If you have moved since your last transaction, update your address with the OMV before applying so the title does not go to your old address.
If the Title Never Arrives, or the Original Turns Up
If you applied for a title and it never arrived, file another DPSMV 1799 and check the “Never Received” box on the affidavit.2Louisiana Department of Public Safety. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles Policy 2.03 – Completion of Vehicle Application DPSMV 1799 The same $76.50 fee applies.5Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle Registration, Title and Plate Fees
Once a duplicate is issued, the previous title is no longer valid. If the old certificate later turns up, do not use it for a sale or transfer. The OMV’s records reflect the most recently issued document, and a buyer or lender checking the title history will see the older one has been superseded.
Odometer Disclosure If You Are Selling
If you are getting the duplicate because you plan to sell or transfer the vehicle, federal odometer disclosure rules apply at transfer, not on the duplicate application itself. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires an odometer reading on title transfers for the first 20 model years of a vehicle’s life, starting with model year 2011 and newer. Model year 2010 and older vehicles follow the previous 10-year rule and are already exempt.8National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Consumer Alert: Changes to Odometer Disclosure Requirements Knowing this before closing prevents a last-minute surprise.