What you need to do to transfer a car title in Illinois
To transfer a car title in Illinois, you fill out a form called the process for Illinois Certificate of Title (Form VSD 190), sign it in front of a notary public, and mail it to the Illinois Secretary of State's office along with the current title, a bill of sale, and a check for the transfer fee. The Secretary of State processes the paperwork and mails you a new title in your name. The whole process takes about two to four weeks from the day they receive your packet.
You do not need to visit an office in person. Everything happens by mail, though you will need to find a notary to witness your signature — banks, libraries, and UPS stores often offer this service for a small fee, usually between $5 and $15.
Key Takeaways
- You must complete Form VSD 190, have it notarized, and mail it with the current title and bill of sale to the Secretary of State's office in Springfield.
- The transfer fee is $150 for a standard title transfer, though fees vary slightly if the vehicle is a salvage title or if you are transferring from an out-of-state title.
- A notary public must witness your signature on the form — you cannot sign it yourself and have it notarized later.
- The Secretary of State will mail your new title to the address you provide on the form, which typically arrives within two to four weeks.
- If you buy a car from a private seller, you need a bill of sale signed by both you and the seller; if you buy from a dealer, they usually provide this document.
Where to get the form and what to include in your packet
The process for Illinois Certificate of Title (Form VSD 190) is available on the Illinois Secretary of State website under the "Vehicle Services" section. You can print it at home or pick up a copy at any Secretary of State office. The form is two pages and asks for your name, address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the current owner's name, and the odometer reading.
When you mail your packet to the Secretary of State, include the following: the completed and notarized Form VSD 190, the current title (the one in the seller's name), a bill of sale signed by both the buyer and seller, and a check or money order for $150 made out to the Secretary of State. If the current title is lost or damaged, you will need to request a duplicate title first, which adds time to the process.
Mail everything to the Secretary of State's office in Springfield. The mailing address is listed on the form itself. Do not send cash — only checks or money orders are accepted.
How to get the form notarized
A notary public must watch you sign Form VSD 190 in front of them. You cannot sign the form at home and then have a notary stamp it later — the notary must witness the actual signing. Bring a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and the unsigned form to the notary.
Notaries are available at most banks during business hours, even if you do not have an account there. Public libraries in Illinois often have notaries on staff for free or a small fee. UPS stores, FedEx locations, and independent notary services also offer this service. Call ahead to confirm hours and fees, which typically range from $5 to $15 per signature.
What a bill of sale is and how to create one
A bill of sale is a document signed by both the seller and buyer that records the sale of the vehicle. It includes the vehicle's VIN, the sale price, the date of sale, and the names and addresses of both parties. The bill of sale proves you bought the car and gives the Secretary of State a record of the transaction.
If you buy from a licensed dealer, they provide the bill of sale as part of the sale paperwork. If you buy from a private seller, you can write one yourself or use a template. Illinois does not require a specific form — a straightforward letter signed by both parties that includes the VIN, sale price, date, and both signatures is acceptable. Some people use the bill of sale template available on the Secretary of State website, but it is not required.
Both the buyer and seller must sign the bill of sale. The seller does not need to have it notarized separately — only the Form VSD 190 requires a notary.
Timeline and what to expect after you mail your packet
After the Secretary of State receives your packet, processing typically takes two to four weeks. You will not receive a confirmation email or phone call — the office straightforward processes the paperwork and mails the new title to the address you provided on the form. If you need to know whether your packet arrived, you can call the Secretary of State's Vehicle Services Division at 217-782-6866, though wait times are often long.
The new title will arrive in a standard envelope with no tracking number. If you do not receive it within five weeks of mailing, contact the Secretary of State's office to check the status. Keep a copy of your bill of sale and the notarized form for your records in case there are questions later.
Special situations: salvage titles, out-of-state transfers, and duplicate titles
If the vehicle has a salvage title (meaning it was declared a total loss by an insurance company), the transfer process is the same, but the fee may be different — check the Secretary of State website for current salvage title fees. You will receive a new salvage title in your name.
If you are transferring a title from another state, you still use Form VSD 190, but you must also include the out-of-state title and may need to pass an Illinois vehicle inspection depending on the vehicle's age and condition. Contact the Secretary of State before mailing to confirm what documents are needed for your specific situation.
If the current title is lost, damaged, or the seller cannot locate it, you must first request a duplicate title from the Secretary of State. This adds two to four weeks to the overall timeline. The seller can request a duplicate in their name, or you can request one in the seller's name if you have a bill of sale and power of attorney from them. This is more complicated — call the Secretary of State's office to discuss your specific situation.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is signing the form before taking it to the notary. The notary must watch you sign — if you sign it at home, the notary cannot notarize it, and you will have to start over. Another frequent error is forgetting to include the bill of sale or using a bill of sale that is not signed by both parties. The Secretary of State will return your packet if anything is missing, which delays the process by several weeks.
Do not send cash in the mail. Always use a check or money order. Also, make sure the check is made out to the Secretary of State, not to a specific person or office. If the VIN on the form does not match the VIN on the title or bill of sale, the office will reject the packet. Double-check all numbers before mailing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a title if the seller is deceased?
No, not through the standard process. The estate or legal representative must first transfer the title into their name, or you need a court order or probate document. Contact the Secretary of State's office with the death certificate and any court paperwork to learn what documents you need to provide.
What if there are two names on the current title?
Both owners must sign the bill of sale and the Form VSD 190. If one owner cannot sign, you will need a power of attorney document signed by that owner in front of a notary, which you then include with your packet.
Do I need to transfer the title before I can register the car?
No. You can register the vehicle with the current title and then transfer the title afterward. However, most people transfer the title first because registration requires proof of ownership in your name. Check with your local Secretary of State office about the order that works best for your situation.
What if I bought the car but have not paid for it yet?
You can still transfer the title into your name. The bill of sale records the sale between you and the seller regardless of payment terms. If the seller is financing the car, they may place a lien on the title, which will show on your new title.
How much does the title transfer cost?
The standard fee is $150. Fees for salvage titles, duplicate titles, and other special situations vary — check the Secretary of State website or call 217-782-6866 to confirm the exact fee for your vehicle type.