“Judgment of Ownership” - Lost Or Misplaced The Title And Never Registered The Vehicle In Your Name?

Justice of the Peace

You CAN get the title in your name, BUT IS IS NOT AN EASY PROCESS – and unfortunately is also time consuming. 

To sum it up, below is the step-by-step process to obtain a “Judgment of Ownership” for Movable Property (Vehicle) via a Justice of the Peace:

Steps include:

1. Confirm Eligibility

• The moveable property (e.g., vehicle) must not exceed $5,000 in value.

• Ensure all other avenues to obtain title have been exhausted; this process is a last resort.

2. Gather Documentation

• Collect all documents showing proof of purchase or transfer (bill of sale, act of donation, etc.), even if incomplete.

• Not required, but may help if you can obtain a notarized affidavit (letter) from the previous owner stating that the title is lost and that they transferred ownership to you.

3. Obtain a Physical Inspection Report (Form 3515)

• Arrange for a state-authorized law enforcement officer (such as a Louisiana State Trooper) to inspect the vehicle and complete Form 3515.

• The officer will verify the VIN, describe the vehicle, and may check if it has been reported stolen.

• In some areas, you may bring the vehicle to a specific inspection office or request an officer to come to your property (vehicle must be insured if driven).

4. Submit Documents to the Justice of the Peace

• Bring Form 3515 and all supporting documents to the Justice of the Peace.

• Pay the required court filing fees the Justice of the Peace may require.

• The Justice of the Peace will collect all information and forward it to the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) for review.

5. OMV Internal Review and Additional Steps

• The OMV will review the case, which typically takes about 30 days.

• The OMV may request further actions, such as:

• Attempting to contact the last known owner by certified mail.

• Obtaining a lien release from any finance company.

• Checking with other states’ motor vehicle agencies if applicable.

6. Judgment of Ownership Issued

• If the vehicle is lien-free, worth less than $5,000, and sufficient proof of ownership is provided, the Justice of the Peace will issue a Judgment of Ownership.

7. Finalize Title and Registration at OMV

• Present the Judgment of Ownership to the OMV or authorized title issuer.

• Complete the titling process as if you had a bill of sale.

• Pay all required sales tax, penalties, and interest as applicable.

• Provide proof of insurance to obtain a license plate.

NOTE; This summary composed from information obtained from the City Of Baton Rouge (Parish of East Baton Rouge) website https://www.brla.gov/ and  https://www.brla.gov/2120/Judgment-Ownership