What You Need to Do to Transfer a Car Title in Illinois
To transfer a car title in Illinois, you submit the signed title document to the Secretary of State's office along with proof of ownership, a completed process form, and the transfer fee. The process takes about two to four weeks by mail, or you can complete it in person at a Driver Services facility on the same day. Illinois does not allow online title transfers, so you must use mail or visit a facility in person.
The Secretary of State's office handles all title transfers in Illinois — not your local DMV or county clerk. You will need the original title signed by the current owner, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and proof that you own the vehicle (such as a bill of sale or purchase agreement). If the title has a lien on it, the lienholder must also sign or provide a lien release letter.
Key Takeaways
- You must submit the original signed title, a completed process form (Form VSD 190), and the transfer fee to the Secretary of State's office.
- If you are buying the car from a private seller, you need a bill of sale signed by both parties showing the sale price and date.
- If the title has a lien, the lender must sign the title or provide a written lien release before you can transfer ownership.
- Processing takes two to four weeks by mail or the same day if you visit a Driver Services facility in person.
- The transfer fee is $150 for a standard title transfer in Illinois.
Gather the Documents You Need Before You Start
The Secretary of State requires specific documents to process your transfer. Start by collecting the original title document signed by the current owner. If you are buying from a private seller, you also need a bill of sale — a straightforward written agreement that shows the seller's name, the buyer's name, the vehicle description (year, make, model, VIN), the sale price, and the date of sale. Both the buyer and seller must sign the bill of sale.
If the car has a loan or lien against it, the lender's name appears on the title. You cannot transfer the title until the lien is released. Contact the lender and ask them to provide a lien release letter, or ask them to sign the title itself. Some lenders will mail the release directly to you; others require the seller to request it. If the seller is still paying off the car, this step must happen before you can take ownership.
You will also need the completed process form, which is Form VSD 190 (process for Illinois Vehicle Registration). You can read this form from the Secretary of State's website or pick one up at any Driver Services facility. Fill in your name, address, the vehicle information, and the current owner's information. Do not sign the form until you are ready to submit it.
Complete the process Form Correctly
Form VSD 190 asks for your personal information, the vehicle details, and the current owner's information. Write your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or state ID. If you are buying the car jointly with another person, both names must appear on the form and both of you must sign it.
In the vehicle section, enter the VIN (found on the title, the dashboard, or the driver's side door jamb), the year, make, model, and color. Double-check the VIN against the title — if it does not match, the Secretary of State will reject your process. In the current owner section, enter the seller's full name and address exactly as it appears on the title.
Leave the odometer reading blank unless the vehicle is less than ten years old; if it is, enter the current mileage. Sign and date the form in the designated spaces. If you are transferring the title jointly, both owners must sign the form in the presence of a notary public or at a Driver Services facility.
Submit Your Transfer by Mail or In Person
You have two options: mail your documents to the Secretary of State or visit a Driver Services facility in person. By mail, processing takes two to four weeks. In person, you receive your new title the same day, though you may wait 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the facility is.
To submit by mail, send the original signed title, the completed Form VSD 190, the bill of sale (if applicable), the lien release letter (if applicable), and a check or money order for $150 to the Secretary of State's office. The mailing address is on the form itself. Do not send cash. Include a cover letter with your name and phone number in case the office needs to contact you about missing information.
To submit in person, visit any Driver Services facility with the same documents and the $150 fee. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at a facility. Bring your driver's license or state ID for identification. The staff will review your documents on the spot, and if everything is correct, you will receive your new title before you leave.
What Happens If Information on the Title Does Not Match
If the name on the title does not match your legal name, or if there are spelling errors or discrepancies, the Secretary of State may reject your transfer or delay it. Common issues include a misspelled name, a title that lists two owners but only one is signing, or a title that shows a lien that was never released.
If you spot an error before you submit, contact the Secretary of State's office by phone to ask how to correct it. Some errors can be fixed by submitting a corrected title from the current owner; others require a court order. If the error is on the current owner's title and they are not available to correct it, you may need to wait or pursue a different resolution with the seller.
If the Secretary of State rejects your transfer, they will mail you a letter explaining why. You then have the option to correct the issue and resubmit, or to contact the office to discuss alternatives. This is why submitting in person is sometimes faster — the staff can spot problems when ready and tell you how to fix them before you leave.
Handle Transfers from Dealerships Differently
If you are buying the car from a licensed Illinois dealership, the process is different. The dealership handles the title transfer on your behalf and submits it to the Secretary of State. You do not need to mail documents yourself. Instead, you sign the title at the dealership, pay the transfer fee (which is usually included in your purchase price or added to your bill), and the dealership files everything.
The dealership will give you a temporary registration document (a paper plate or temporary tag) that is valid for 30 days while your permanent title and registration are being processed. Keep this document in your car. Your new title will arrive in the mail within two to four weeks.
If you are buying from a dealership and something goes wrong with the transfer, contact the dealership's business office first. They are responsible for filing correctly, and they can resubmit if there was an error. If the dealership is unresponsive, you can contact the Secretary of State's office with your purchase paperwork and ask them to investigate.
Track Your Transfer and Receive Your New Title
If you submitted by mail, you can check the status of your transfer by calling the Secretary of State's office or visiting their website. Have your VIN and the current owner's name ready. Processing typically takes two to four weeks, but during busy periods it may take longer. If more than four weeks have passed and you have not received your title, call to confirm the office received your documents.
Your new title will arrive in the mail at the address you provided on the form. It will show your name as the owner and will include the vehicle information, the VIN, and the title number. If you submitted in person at a Driver Services facility, you receive the title when ready before you leave.
Once you have your new title, you are the legal owner of the vehicle. You can then register the car for plates and insurance. Keep your title in a safe place — you will need it if you sell the car later or if you need to prove ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a title if the current owner is deceased?
No, not directly. If the owner has passed away, the title must first go through probate or be transferred to the estate. You will need a court order or a document from the estate showing you are the rightful heir or beneficiary. Contact the Secretary of State's office with the death certificate and estate documents to learn what additional paperwork is required.
What if the title is lost or damaged?
If the current owner has lost the title, they can request a duplicate from the Secretary of State by submitting Form VSD 190 and paying a $25 fee. Once they receive the duplicate, they can sign it and send it to you for transfer. If the title is damaged but readable, you can still use it to transfer; if it is illegible, request a duplicate first.
Do I need to have the car inspected before I transfer the title?
No, Illinois does not require a vehicle inspection to transfer a title. However, you will need an inspection later if you want to register the car and get plates. The inspection checks that the VIN on the vehicle matches the title and that the car is safe to drive.
How long can I drive the car before the title transfer is complete?
If you bought from a dealership, you can drive on the temporary registration they gave you for 30 days. If you bought from a private seller and submitted by mail, you should not drive the car until your new title arrives and you have registered it for plates, which typically takes four to six weeks total. If you submitted in person, you can register for plates when ready after receiving your title.
What if I bought the car but the seller will not sign the title?
If the seller refuses to sign, you do not have a legal transfer. Do not drive the car. Contact the seller in writing (email or certified mail) asking them to sign within a specific timeframe. If they still refuse, you may need to pursue the matter through small claims court or consult an attorney, as this is a civil dispute over the sale.