Change Information on Vehicle Registration in Illinois

Illinois vehicle registration information is updated through the Office of the Secretary of State. The filing method depends on the record that must be changed, because some updates can be made through the address-change system or renewal process, while other changes require a corrected title, a corrected registration ID card, or a title and registration application.

Illinois Vehicle Registration Changes that Commonly Require Action

Illinois requires a registration review when the vehicle record no longer matches the current owner or vehicle information. Common events include:

an address change affecting the registration record, which Illinois addresses through its address change service and registration renewal procedures
a legal name change, which must first be reflected on the title record before the registration record is changed, as explained in registration renewal and ID card guidance
incorrect information on the registration ID card, including name or vehicle information
a corrected title issue, including removal of an owner, addition or change of an owner name, or addition of a lien, under the state’s corrected title process
a vehicle purchase, title transfer, or first Illinois registration, which Illinois handles through the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s)
a new resident registration, because Illinois gives a limited grace period for vehicles already registered in another jurisdiction under 625 ILCS 5/3-801
a plate transfer or related registration update connected to an ownership or vehicle change

Where to File a Illinois Vehicle Registration Change

Routine registration changes are handled through the Illinois Secretary of State. Illinois allows some filings to be completed online, by mail, during registration renewal, or in person at a Secretary of State facility, depending on the transaction.

Address changes can be made through the online state system. Changes connected to renewal can also be handled during the registration renewal transaction. If a corrected registration ID card is needed, Illinois directs the use of the Secretary of State’s title and registration process rather than only the general address-change system.

When the change affects the title record, the filing must be made as a title correction or title transaction through the Secretary of State. Illinois uses the Electronic Registration and Title system to complete and print the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190), and that same application is used for corrected titles, corrected registration ID cards, title transfers, and related registration changes.

Illinois Address Changes on Vehicle Registration

Illinois law requires prompt notice of an address change. Under 625 ILCS 5/3-416, a person who moves from the address shown on the registration application or registration card must notify the Secretary of State of the old and new addresses within 10 days.

Illinois provides an official online address update process for vehicle registration files. The Secretary of State states that the driver’s license or state ID record and the vehicle registration record are separate systems, so both records must be updated when both are affected.

Illinois also allows an address change during registration renewal. The address of the legal Illinois residence may be updated during the renewal transaction online, by mail, or in person if the required renewal information is available.

Illinois Name Changes and Title-Linked Corrections

A legal name change affects both the title record and the registration record in Illinois. The Secretary of State states that to change a name on a registration, the name on the title must be changed first.

Illinois handles that change through the corrected title process. For an added or changed owner name due to marriage or another legal reason, Illinois requires submission of the Illinois certificate of title and the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190), along with the legal documentation authorizing the name change.

The same rule appears in the state’s registration renewal and ID card guidance, which explains that a registration name change follows the corrected title filing. This title-first structure is important because the registration record is not updated as a stand-alone name change when the title record still shows the former name.

Correcting Incorrect Information on an Illinois Registration Record

Illinois distinguishes between correcting a registration record and correcting a title record.

If incorrect information appears on the registration ID card, Illinois directs the applicant to obtain a corrected one. The Secretary of State states that a corrected card is required when the name or vehicle information is incorrect, when a recent marriage has changed the name, or when there are certain business-entity changes. Illinois uses the same VSD 190 application for that filing.

If the incorrect information appears on the title, Illinois requires a corrected title filing. This process applies when an owner’s name is removed, added, or changed, or when a lien is added. It also states that a duplicate title application may include a corrected title request if the original title is lost, stolen, or mutilated.

If both records must be corrected, Illinois requires the use of the same transaction form for both. The Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190) is used for the following:

Official Form or Resource	Use in Illinois
Application for Vehicle Transaction(s)	Title and registration applications, corrected registration ID cards, duplicate registration ID cards, corrected titles, and title transfers
Electronic Registration and Title system	Online completion and printing of VSD 190 for title and registration transactions
Address change service	Update of the vehicle registration address record

Illinois also explains that vehicle information changes may sometimes be handled through the renewal process when the renewal notice itself contains incorrect vehicle information or when a transfer ID is involved after a recent purchase.

Illinois Deadlines for Vehicle Registration Changes

Illinois publishes several deadlines that affect registration changes:

a change of address on a vehicle registration record must be reported within 10 days under 625 ILCS 5/3-416
a name change affecting a vehicle registration record must be reported within 10 days under the same statute
a new resident with a vehicle properly registered in another jurisdiction generally must apply for Illinois registration within 30 days after establishing Illinois residency under 625 ILCS 5/3-801
a resident returning from service as a member or civilian employee of the United States Armed Services or the United States Department of Defense need not secure Illinois registration until 45 days after returning to Illinois, if the vehicle displays temporary military registration
to have a renewal notice mailed to a new address, the Secretary of State states that notice of the address change should be given at least 90 days before the vehicle registration expires

Illinois law also directly ties insurance to registration status. Under 625 ILCS 5/7-601, no person may operate, register, or maintain registration of a motor vehicle used on a public highway in Illinois unless the vehicle is covered by a liability insurance policy.

How Much Does It Cost To Change Vehicle Registration Details in Illinois?

Illinois vehicle registration and title records are administered by the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS), which sets flat statewide fees for title and registration record transactions. The current amounts for the most common changes are listed in the table below.

Registration Change or Service	Fee
Change of address on registration	No fee, when changed with a registration renewal (Registration Renewal and ID Cards)
Name or vehicle information change on the Registration ID Card	$3 (Registration Renewal and ID Cards)
Corrected title — standard	$53 (Corrected Titles)
Corrected title — reduced (name change due to marriage, or removal of a name due to divorce or death of a co-owner)	$15 (Corrected Titles)
Duplicate title (surrendered original required)	$50 (Corrected Titles)
Title on a purchased vehicle (new or used)	$165 (Transferring Plates)
Title with plate transfer to a different vehicle	$190 — $165 title fee, $25 transfer fee (Transferring Plates)
Plate transfer only (no new title)	$25 (Transferring Plates)

Contact Information

Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department
501 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL 62756-6666
Phone: (800) 252-8980
Official Website: Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department