How To Transfer a Car Title in Illinois 2026

In Illinois, vehicle title transfers are administered by the Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department. When ownership of a motor vehicle passes from one party to another — whether through a sale, gift, inheritance, or other lawful transaction — 625 ILCS 5/3-112 requires the transferee to execute a new title application and cause the assigned certificate to be delivered to the Secretary of State within 20 days of receiving both the vehicle and the assigned title. Private-party vehicle use tax (Form RUT-50) is separately due within 30 days of acquisition. All title applications may be submitted by mail or in person at any Secretary of State facility.

Required Documents for Title Transfer in Illinois

Each of the documents below is necessary to process a vehicle title transfer in Illinois. Specific circumstances may require supplemental documentation as determined by the Secretary of State.

• Certificate of Title – the original title assigned by the seller, with the Assignment of Title section completed to include the buyer's name, odometer reading certified by both parties, date of sale, and seller's printed and signed name; federal and state law mandate odometer certification on the face of the title
• Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (Form VSD 190) – the standard form for all title and registration transactions; generated through the Electronic Registration and Title (ERT) system or obtained at a Secretary of State facility
• Tax Form RUT-50 – the Private Party Vehicle Use Tax transaction return, required for all vehicle purchases from a private individual; submitted with a separate tax payment to the Illinois Department of Revenue
• Valid Government-Issued Photo ID – required for each owner listed on the new title
• Odometer Disclosure – certified on the back of the assigned title by both buyer and seller; the date of sale must also be indicated
• Lien Release – if a security interest appears on the existing title, the lienholder must deliver the certificate to the Secretary of State or to the transferee prior to the transfer, in accordance with 625 ILCS 5/3-112(c)
• Bill of Sale – not mandated by statute but recommended to document transaction details, protect both parties, and support the tax computation on Form RUT-50
• Power of Attorney – required when an agent acts on behalf of the owner in executing the title application

Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Illinois

Step 1: Seller Completes the Assignment of Title

At the time of delivery, the seller must execute the Assignment of Title section printed on the certificate of title. This section must include:

• The buyer's full legal name as it will appear on the new certificate
• The date of the sale
• The current odometer reading, certified as the actual mileage (or noted as in excess of mechanical limits or not the actual mileage where applicable)
• The seller's printed name and signature

Any alteration or omission in the assignment section may cause the Secretary of State to reject the application. The seller should retain a copy of the completed assignment for personal records.

Step 2: Buyer Prepares Tax Form RUT-50

All private-party vehicle purchases in Illinois are subject to vehicle use tax, payable to the Illinois Department of Revenue. The buyer must:

• Obtain Form RUT-50 at a Secretary of State facility or currency exchange (this form is not available for download)
• Calculate the applicable tax using the vehicle's model year and purchase price per the RUT-50 instructions
• Prepare a separate payment made out to the Illinois Department of Revenue for the tax amount due
• Note: Form RUT-50 is due within 30 days of the date of acquisition

Vehicles purchased from a licensed Illinois dealer use Tax Form RUT-25 (not RUT-50), which the dealer submits on the buyer's behalf.

Step 3: Complete the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (Form VSD 190)

Form VSD 190 is the required application for all title and registration transactions in Illinois. The buyer may:

• Use the Electronic Registration and Title (ERT) system to complete and print the form online before visiting a facility
• Obtain a blank form at any Secretary of State facility

When completing Form VSD 190, verify that:

• Vehicle information (VIN, year, make, model) matches exactly what appears on the assigned title
• The buyer's name in the application matches the name in the Assignment of Title section
• The odometer reading is entered consistently with the certification on the title
• The Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) number is entered, if one was issued at the time of purchase

Step 4: Submit All Documents to the Secretary of State

The complete document package may be filed by mail or in person. When submitting by mail, send all materials to:

Secretary of State – Vehicle Services Department 501 S. 2nd St., Room 014, Springfield, IL 62756

For in-person submission, visit any Secretary of State facility. The following must be included:

• The assigned Certificate of Title
• Completed Form VSD 190
• Completed Form RUT-50 with a separate tax payment (payable to the Illinois Department of Revenue)
• Title fee payment (payable to the Illinois Secretary of State)
• Lien release documentation, if applicable
• Power of Attorney, if a representative is filing

Step 5: Pay the Required Title and Registration Fees

Title and registration fees are collected at the time of submission. The table below outlines the standard fee categories for passenger vehicles.

Step 6: Receive Your Illinois Certificate of Title

Once all documents and fees are received and verified:

• Illinois law requires the certificate of title to be mailed directly to the first lienholder named on the title; if no lien is recorded, it is mailed to the registered owner
• Titles may not be picked up in person at any Secretary of State location
• Standard processing time varies; electronic submissions through the ERT system are generally processed more quickly than paper submissions
• The new registration ID card and license plate sticker are issued and mailed to the registered owner

Contact Information

Illinois Secretary of State – Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd St., Room 312, Springfield, IL 62756
Phone: (800) 252-8980
Official Website: Illinois Secretary of State – Vehicle Services