Title transfer needs to be a safe and legal process, especially in private car sales. This title transfer guide gives you everything you need to know to transfer a vehicle title in the state of Illinois.
What is the IL title transfer process?
Vehicle Title Transfer Process
There are two stages to an Illinois car title transfer.
- The two parties (buyer and seller) meet in person. The buyer pays the seller. Both fill out the physical certificate of title, and sign. From this point on, the buyer is the legal owner of the car.
- The buyer finalizes the title transfer process with the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) office. At the same time, the buyer registers the car and applies for new license plates. The first step (seller and buyer meeting) is the most important. The second step is a necessary formality.
The first step (seller and buyer meeting) is the most important. The second step is a necessary formality.
- As the seller, you’ll formalize the entire transaction when you transfer the ownership of the car by signing the title over to the buyer. You’ll take the plates off and be done with the vehicle.
- As the buyer in a private car sale, you become the legal owner of the car as soon as the seller transfers the title to your name. You’ll finalize with DMV to get title and registration in your name. You’ll also get new Illinois license plates and car insurance.
- Illinois requires liability insurance at a minimum. If you don’t have it, you won’t be able to register your car and legally drive it. Of course, you can opt for full coverage insurance if you want it. If you don’t have car insurance, get a quick quote here.
How to correctly fill out the title transfer form?
Sign an Illinois Title Correctly
When signing the vehicle title in Illinois, always keep the following in mind.
- Mistakes make the document invalid.
- Do not erase anything or use white-out.
- Only use black or blue ink. Any other color will void the title.
- Write neatly.
- Only use legal birth names.
Front of The Title
The back of the title has sections for the seller (red), the buyer (teal), and the lienholder (green). Here is the process for filling out the back of an Illinois title.
How to finalize ownership transfer with IL SOS?
Finalize Ownership Transfer with IL SOS
You’ve done the deal and are the proud owner of a new-to-you vehicle. Your work is not yet done. There are still steps you need to take to finalize the title transfer with the state of Illinois. You also need to acquire new license plates and register the car with the Secretary of State’s office
You will need to submit the following to your local Secretary of State (SOS) office:
- Vehicle title signed you and the previous owner of the vehicle (seller)
- Bill of sale
- Odometer disclosure statement
- Completed application for vehicle transactions (Form VSD 190)
- Proof of private party vehicle tax transaction (Tax Form RUT-50)
- Payment for the Illinois title transfer fee: $150
You can also mail the above mentioned documents to this address:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd St, RM 014
Springfield, IL 62756
To avoid paying a late fee or penalties, make sure you register the car right after transferring the title.
Prepare the Certificate of Title
The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State regulates vehicle titles and the transfer title process. As a buyer, you have up to 30 days to transfer a title, or you face a $20 fine. To start the transfer process, work with the seller to fill out the following information on the certificate of title:
- Odometer disclosure
- Sale price
- Names and signatures of the buyer and the seller
- Seller’s report of sale
As a seller, you need to verify you have the original or a certified duplicate title in hand before you finish the sale. You may need to replace your title if you can’t find this document.
What If There Are Multiple Car Owners?
If there is more than one seller listed on the title, all owners’ names must be on the document along with their signatures.
Provide Personal Documents
The buyer also needs to have a few personal documents on hand. Check that you have these before preparing for the transfer process:
- Proof of Illinois residency
- Valid driver’s license
- Proof of insurance
Your proof of insurance must meet Illinois’ minimum insurance requirements. This means having a valid liability policy that includes at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident, $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person in an accident, and $20,000 for damage to another person’s property.
These are the minimum requirements, but you can add more to your policy, like comprehensive and/or collision coverage, or increase your liability coverage.
Is an IL smog check required?
Review Emissions Testing Requirements in Your County
Illinois doesn’t have a statewide emissions test requirement. The following counties do require emissions testing:
- Will
- St. Clair
- Monroe
- Madison
- McHenry
- Kendall
- Kane
- Lake
- Dupage
- Cook
Not all vehicles in these counties are subject to inspections. Most passenger vehicles that are less than four years old, manufactured before 1996, or used for farming purposes are exempt from emissions inspections. Review all → → the exemptions listed in your county to ensure you can waive this inspection as you buy a car from a private seller in Illinois.
Is a bill of sale required?
Consider a Bill of Sale
A bill of sale isn’t required to buy or sell a car in Illinois. It is recommended, however, as an official receipt of transfer. A bill of sale provides legal protection for both the buyer and the seller. It proves that the seller is no longer associated with the vehicle, and it proves the buyer’s ownership.
PrivateAuto provides an official Illinois bill of sale as part of our in-app transaction process. Both buyer and seller will be prompted to e-sign the document at the appropriate stage of the transaction, right within the PrivateAuto app.
Here is some of the information the Illinois bill of sale requires.
- Buyer’s name, address, and signature
- Seller’s name, address, and signature
- Final sale price
- Description of the vehicle
- VIN
- Odometer reading
This information proves that the seller did sell the vehicle and that the buyer is the new owner.
Transfer a Car Title Online or In Person
While most states require you to transfer a car title in person, Illinois also offers an electronic registration option. Transferring the title online can be a convenient way to finish the deal and change ownership without traveling.
Both processes require you to fill out the title. For an online transfer, follow the steps required to fill out the online transfer application. The buyer must then mail the payment, title, and other required paperwork to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Vehicle Services Department within seven days of the online application.
You’ll need to bring your paperwork along with you to your local Secretary of State facility to complete an in-person transfer. If you have questions about the paperwork or fees, this option might be best, as state personnel can help you out.
IL title transfer taxes and fees
Pay Applicable Taxes and Fees
The fees and taxes you have to pay to transfer a title in Illinois vary. The base title fees are $150, and you may have to pay additional fees for specific situations. As the buyer, you are responsible for paying all the fees.
IL license plates
IL License Plates
Some states allow the license plates to remain with the car when sold. Unfortunately, Illinois requires the seller to remove the plates from the car. As the buyer, you’ll apply to the SOS for new license plates and pay the $151 Illinois license plate fee.
See our state-by-state guide to license plate requirements if you’re considering buying or selling a car in other states.
Choose PrivateAuto to Connect With Verified Buyers and Sellers
Whether you want to sell your used vehicle or you’re trying to find used cars for sale, we make the transaction happen.
PrivateAuto Pay, our integrated banking gateway, is truly revolutionary. It allows you to send or receive unlimited funds instantly and for free.
Illinois Title Transfer FAQ
How much are replacement registration cards and stickers?
A license plate sticker is required to be displayed on the rear license plate of most cars in Illinois. The sticker verifies that the vehicle is legally registered and can be driven on public roads. The cost to replace a lost or stolen license plate sticker in Illinois is $20. If you have lost your sticker or had your sticker stolen, you can request a replacement by filling out a form and paying the fee.
The registration card is a document that serves as proof of vehicle registration. It contains information such as the vehicle’s make and model, the name and address of the registered owner, and the vehicle identification number (VIN). If you lose or misplace your registration card in Illinois, you can request a replacement for a fee of $3 from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State facility. It is essential to keep your registration card up-to-date and in your vehicle at all times, as law enforcement may request it during a traffic stop.
What is a junking certificate?
A junking certificate is a legal document certifying that a vehicle has been deemed “junk” and is no longer suitable for use on public roads. It is accompanied by a salvage title status. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office issues a junking certificate when a vehicle is no longer operable or has been declared a total loss by an insurance company.
The vehicle’s title and license plates must be surrendered to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office in order to obtain a junking certificate. The owner must also provide proof that the vehicle has been scrapped, destroyed, or sold to an authorized salvage dealer. The Secretary of State’s office will issue the owner a junking certificate once the paperwork has been processed.
A junking certificate is essential because it shows that a vehicle is no longer legally registered or permitted to be operated on public roads. This helps to prevent future problems with law enforcement and insurance companies.
Is the certificate of origin the same as a certificate of title?
No, certificates of origin and title certificates are not the same thing. A certificate of origin (CO) specifies the country of origin of the vehicle, as well as its export and import information. It can’t be used for the legal transfer of ownership.
What is the title replacement fee in Illinois?
Replacing the car title is required if it’s damaged, stolen, or if a lien needs to be removed.
To apply for a duplicate title, you need the following:
– The application for vehicle transactions (Form VSD 190)
– The duplicate vehicle title fee of $50
You can submit it in person at an Illinois Secretary of State office or by mail to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
502 S. 2nd St RM 014
Springfield, IL 62756
How to transfer a car title when the owner is deceased?
In the state of IL, when the owner of the car is deceased, you must transfer the car title. A beneficiary, spouse or joint-owner can transfer the title to someone else if the owner is deceased.
You need to make sure you have all the following documents in order to transfer a vehicle’s title in Illinois:
– Order from Probate Court to transfer the vehicle
– Certificate of title
– Odometer disclosure statement
– Death certificate
– Transfer fee
See our article about transferring the title of a car after the owner has died for more on the topic.
If the title certificate was signed but never transferred, can I still transfer the title to my name?
An “open title” is a situation in which a seller has signed over the title of a vehicle to a buyer, but the buyer has not completed the title transfer with the state.
If the vehicle buyer loses the title before finishing the transfer, the vehicle title will be open. The vehicle’s seller will need to request a duplicate title and then sign the duplicate title over to the buyer, after which the buyer can finalize the transfer with the state.
Open titles are best avoided by the buyer finishing the title transfer as soon as possible—and keeping track of the Certificate of Title.
How to transfer an out-of-state vehicle title?
When transferring an out-of-state title into Illinois, you need to submit the following:
– The application for vehicle transactions (Form VSD 190)
– Paperwork that verifies:
– All car owner’s names and signatures
– Your personal address in Illinois
– The car’s odometer reading
– A description of the car
– Completed certificate of title
– Completed tax form (Form RUT-50)
– Payment for vehicle title fee
– Payment for registration fee
You can submit the required documentation and payment for the above listed fees in-person at an IL SOS office or by mail. If you choose to mail these documents, mail them to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
502 S. 2nd St RM 014
Springfield, IL 62756
How much is the private party vehicle tax?
In Illinois, the vehicle tax is 6.25%, regardless of whether the car was purchased from a private party or a dealer. Depending on the county where the transaction takes place, additional taxes and fees could apply. In Cook County, for instance, vehicle sales are subject to an additional 1% tax, bringing the total tax rate to 7.25 percent.
How much does it cost to transfer a vehicle to a family member?
With the exception of a set fee tax, the process of gifting a vehicle to a family member in Illinois is similar to a standard vehicle title transfer. The vehicle title transfer process is handled by the Illinois Secretary of State’s offices.
To transfer the vehicle to another person, you will need to obtain the VSD-190 vehicle title transfer form and the RUT-50 tax form. These forms, which can be acquired at any Secretary of State office, must be filled out completely and accurately.
As an Illinois resident, you must record the current odometer reading on the title and ensure that the VIN on the vehicle title matches the VIN on the vehicle itself. The title must be signed by the current owner of the vehicle, as well as the family member receiving the vehicle as a gift.
To complete the transfer, you must go to a Secretary of State office in person and submit the necessary paperwork and fees.
See our article about transferring a car title to a family member for more information.
What is the registration renewal price in Illinois?
A standard vehicle registration renewal sticker costs $151. A renewal sticker for a personalized plate costs $158, and a renewal sticker for vanity plates costs $164.
Do I need a VIN information when registering a car in Illinois?
You will need to provide a car’s vehicle identification number when registering a car in Illinois. Other documents and information needed to register a vehicle in Illinois are:
– Name and Illinois address
– Odometer disclosure statement
– Vehicle description (year, make, model, VIN., body type, date of purchase, and if it is new or used)
What are some important facts people should know about registering a car in Illinois?
There are several things to keep in mind when registering a vehicle in Illinois. To begin, the vehicle’s registered owner must complete the title transfer process and submit an assignment of title to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. This procedure entails filling out a tax transaction form and providing accurate information in the spaces provided. The loan agreement must also be submitted if the vehicle was purchased with a loan.
It’s also important to note that car tax in Illinois is based on the purchase price of the vehicle and is calculated at the time of transfer. Private party vehicle transactions can be subject to additional taxes and fees depending on the county.
It’s important to ensure that the vehicle is properly registered with the Illinois SOS office. This includes getting an Illinois vehicle registration and displaying the appropriate license plates on the car.
Landon Epperly
Contributing Author
Landon Epperly is the Product Manager at PrivateAuto, where he thrives on turning innovative ideas into reality. With a deep passion for cars and boats, Landon combines his love for vehicles with his expertise in product development to enhance the online marketplace experience….