How To Transfer a Car Title in Illinois

A certificate of title (COT) serves as proof of car ownership, and transferring the title is a crucial aspect of buying or selling a pre-owned vehicle in Illinois.

But it’s not just about buying and selling – you’ll need a title in your name to establish car ownership, whether you’re gifting a car to a friend or family member, receiving a vehicle through inheritance, or any other scenario.

Let’s look at everything you need to know about how to transfer a car title in Illinois so that you can navigate the process with confidence and ease.

Key Takeaways

• If selling a car in Illinois, fill out the title’s “Assignment of Title” section and remove your plates.
• Buyers need to submit the completed title and other documents to the state office.
• If you’re new to Illinois and have a car from another state, you need to get an Illinois title and register your car within 30 days.

Emissions Testing in Illinois

Illinois doesn’t mandate statewide emissions testing. However, the following counties require it:

• Will
• St. Clair
• Monroe
• Madison
• McHenry
• Kendall
• Kane
• Lake
• Dupage
• Cook

It’s worth noting that not all vehicles in these counties are subjected to inspections.

Passenger vehicles under four years old, produced before 1996, or utilized for agricultural purposes are exempt from emissions inspections.

How To Transfer Car Title in Illinois If You’re Selling

If you’re selling your vehicle privately, you must:

• Fill out the “Assignment of Title” section, comprising the odometer reading, date of sale, buyer’s name, and your signature, and give it to the purchaser.
• Detach the license plates from the car before transferring them to the buyer. You may be eligible to transfer the plates to your new vehicle. You must complete a Seller’s Report of Sale Form (Form VSD 703), relieving you of any vehicle responsibility.

Please be aware that if you lack the vehicle’s title, you must petition for a replicated title to effectuate the vehicle’s ownership transfer to the purchaser.

How To Transfer Car Title in Illinois If You’re the Buyer

When you procure a vehicle from a dealership, the dealership is responsible for processing the vehicle title transfer and registration paperwork on your behalf.

However, in the case of private vehicle sales, the onus of initiating the vehicle title transfer process lies with you. The car title made available by the seller must include the following details:

The vehicle identification number (VIN)

The “Assignment of Title” section completed, which includes:

• The odometer reading
• The date of the purchase
• Your name
• The seller’s signature

You will need to apply for the vehicle title transfer and vehicle registration by submitting the following documents and payment to your local IL SOS office:

• The vehicle’s title
• The Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) Form (Form VSD 190) must be completed online.
• A completed Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction Form (Form RUT-50) is exclusively available at IL SOS offices.
• Payment for the applicable Illinois taxes and fees.

How To Transfer Car Title in Illinois If You Have an Out-of-State Title

If you have recently established residency in Illinois, you must obtain an Illinois title and register your vehicle within 30 days.

To execute an Illinois car title transfer using an out-of-state title, you will need to provide the following documentation:

1. An Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD-190)
2. An Illinois address where you can be reached
3. The mileage from the vehicle’s odometer
4. A comprehensive description of the vehicle, including its year, make, and model
5. A list of any lienholders, if applicable
6. The signature of the vehicle’s owner
7. Form RUT-25, along with the payment of any applicable taxes

If the vehicle is leased, additional documents that must be submitted include the following:

1. The lease agreement
2. The original out-of-state registration
3. The current out-of-state title
4. The Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)
5. A bill of sale

How To Transfer Car Title in Illinois When the Owner Dies

Transferring a vehicle to an heir after the owner’s demise is contingent on whether the estate undergoes the legal proceedings of probate.

In the case of probate, the following documents will be needed:

• The car title
• Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD-190) with mileage
• Certified copies of either the letters of administration or testamentary that name the representative
• Form RUT-50 and payment of any applicable taxes
• Title fee of $155

Conversely, if you opt out of the probate procedure and the estate valuation is below $100,000, you may pursue the Small Estate Affidavit Procedure.

To fulfill the procedure, you will require the following documents:

• The Small Estate Affidavit
• The car title
• Copy of the death certificate
• Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD-190) with mileage
• Form RUT-50 and payment of any applicable taxes
• Title fee of $155

Gifting Family Member Cars

Transferring vehicle ownership to a family member as a gift is possible. This process requires following the standard vehicle title transfer procedure, except for the fee tax, which is a predetermined amount. The Illinois Secretary of State offices handle the vehicle title transfer process.

To initiate the process, you must obtain the VSD-190 vehicle title transfer form and the RUT-50 tax form.

These forms must be filled out before they can be accepted. You can obtain them personally at the Secretary of State offices or by phone at 800-252-8980.

Illinois residents must record the current odometer reading on the designated line of the vehicle title. The vehicle’s current owner must sign the title, and their family member must sign as the new owner.

Verifying that the vehicle identification number (VIN) indicated on the title is similar to the one inscribed on the automobile is also crucial. The VIN can be located on the driver’s side door.

To consummate the transfer, a personal visit to the Secretary of State’s office is mandatory, where you must provide the essential documentation and remit the stipulated fees. These fees include a $95 title transfer fee and a $15 fee for a signed title.

Title Transfer Cost in Illinois

In Illinois, the vehicle title fees are payable upon transfer. The standard title fee in Illinois is $95. If you relocate from another state, you are granted a 30-day window to perform an official vehicle title transfer.

In situations where you have acquired a vehicle through inheritance or purchase, you must register the vehicle within 20 days of acquisition. And a required registration fee of $101 for a standard passenger vehicle.

You can also transfer your license plates by paying an additional fee of $25. If you need to make corrections to your Illinois vehicle title, such as changing ownership or removing an owner, there is a $15 fee for these revisions.

Requesting a Replacement Car Title in Illinois

If your vehicle title has been misplaced, you must secure a duplicate vehicle title, which can be procured by soliciting the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) for a replacement.

The process for obtaining a duplicate Illinois vehicle title involves submitting several documents, including the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (Form VSD 190) and the vehicle’s original title, if available. You will also be required to pay a duplicate vehicle title fee of $50.

Bill of Sale

Although a bill of sale is not mandatory when buying or selling a vehicle in Illinois, obtaining one as an official acknowledgment of the transfer is advisable.

A bill of sale offers legal protection for both parties, as it confirms that the seller is no longer linked to the vehicle and provides evidence of the buyer’s ownership.

Conclusion

To transfer your vehicle title in Illinois, if selling, you’ll need to fill out the “Assignment of Title” section of the form, comprising the odometer reading, date of sale, buyer’s name, and your signature, and give it to the purchaser, who will then file it. You will have to pay a title fee of $155.