What you need to do to transfer a vehicle title in Illinois
To transfer a vehicle title in Illinois, you submit Form VSD 278 (process for Illinois Certificate of Title) to the Secretary of State's office, along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and payment. The process takes about two to three weeks by mail, or you can complete it in person at a Driver Services facility. Illinois does not allow online title transfers, so you must either mail documents or visit a facility in your county.
The person selling the vehicle signs the back of the current title, and the buyer submits the signed title with the process form. You will also need a photo ID and proof that you own the vehicle — usually the bill of sale from the seller. If the vehicle has a lien (a loan against it), the lienholder must sign off on the transfer, and their name will appear on the new title until the loan is paid off.
Key Takeaways
- You must submit Form VSD 278 to the Illinois Secretary of State along with the signed title, bill of sale, and a photo ID.
- If the vehicle has an outstanding loan, the lienholder must sign the title before you can transfer it to your name.
- Processing takes two to three weeks by mail or same-day service at a Driver Services facility, though you will pay an extra fee for in-person service.
- Illinois charges a title transfer fee that varies based on vehicle type and whether the title is new or a replacement.
Documents the seller must provide
The seller gives you the current title with their signature on the back. This is the most important document — without it signed, the transfer cannot proceed. The seller should sign in the space marked for the owner's signature on the reverse side of the title.
You also need a bill of sale, which is a written record that the vehicle changed hands. Illinois does not have a required form for this, so you can write one yourself or use a template. The bill of sale should include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and signatures from both buyer and seller. Keep a copy for your records.
If the seller financed the vehicle through a bank or credit union, ask them for a lien release letter or confirmation that the title is clear. Some sellers may not have this ready, which can delay your transfer. If the seller still owes money on the vehicle, the lienholder's name will appear on the title, and you cannot remove it until the loan is paid off.
How to submit your transfer process
Mail your documents to the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Index and Titles, at the address listed on Form VSD 278. Include the signed title, the completed process form, your bill of sale, a copy of your photo ID, and the transfer fee. The current fee for a standard title transfer is $150, though fees vary if you are transferring a title for a vehicle with a lien or if you need a duplicate title.
Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks. You will receive your new title in the mail at the address you listed on the process. If you need the title faster, you can visit a Driver Services facility in your county and complete the transfer in person. In-person service costs more but is processed the same day, and you leave with your new title.
Before you mail or submit documents, make sure the seller has signed the title in the correct location. Unsigned or incorrectly signed titles are returned without processing, which adds weeks to your timeline. Double-check that all names on the process match the names on your ID and the title.
What happens if the vehicle has a lien
A lien means someone else — usually a bank or credit union — has a legal claim to the vehicle until the loan is paid off. If the vehicle you are buying has a lien, the lienholder's name appears on the title, and they must release the lien before you can own it free and clear.
Ask the seller to contact their lienholder and request a lien release. The lienholder will provide a letter or document confirming the loan is paid off. You submit this release letter along with your transfer process. If the seller has not yet paid off the loan, the lienholder's name will transfer to your new title, meaning you inherit the debt obligation. This is rare in private sales but common when buying from a dealer.
If the seller cannot provide a lien release and claims the loan is paid off, do not proceed with the purchase. Contact the lienholder yourself using the name and account number on the current title to confirm the status. A lien that is not released can result in the vehicle being repossessed even after you have paid for it.
Transferring a title when the seller is deceased
If the vehicle owner has died, the title transfer process changes. You will need a death certificate, a will or court order showing who inherits the vehicle, and proof of your identity. The executor of the estate (the person named in the will to handle the deceased's affairs) is usually the one who signs the title over to you.
If there is no will, Illinois probate law determines who inherits. You may need a court order from the probate court in the county where the person died. This adds time and sometimes cost to the process. Contact the probate court in that county to learn what documents you need before submitting your title transfer process.
Transferring a title between spouses or family members
Transferring a title between spouses or family members follows the same process as any other transfer — you still need Form VSD 278, the signed title, and the transfer fee. However, some transfers between spouses may may have access to for a reduced fee or exemption depending on the circumstances. Contact the Secretary of State's office or a Driver Services facility to ask whether your situation qualifies for a fee reduction.
If you are transferring a vehicle as a gift, you still need a bill of sale, even though no money changed hands. Write "gift" or "$0" in the price field. This protects both you and the recipient by creating a record of the transfer date and vehicle details.
What to do if you lose the title or it is damaged
If the current title is lost, stolen, or too damaged to sign, you can request a duplicate title from the Secretary of State using Form VSD 278. You will need to explain what happened to the original title. The duplicate costs the same as a standard title transfer and takes the same amount of time to process.
Once you receive the duplicate title, you can then transfer it to the new owner using the standard process. This adds an extra step and delays the transfer by several weeks, so if you are buying a vehicle, ask the seller to order a duplicate title before you complete the sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a title if the seller is out of state?
Yes. The seller can mail you the signed title and bill of sale, and you submit them to Illinois along with your process. The seller does not need to be present or sign anything in person. Make sure the title is signed in the correct location before you mail it to the Secretary of State.
What if the seller's name on the title does not match their ID?
Contact the Secretary of State's office before submitting your process. If the names do not match exactly, your transfer may be rejected. The seller may need to obtain a corrected title first, which requires a separate process and fee.
How long does it take to get the new title if I go in person?
If you visit a Driver Services facility and submit all documents in person, you receive your new title the same day. You will pay a higher fee for in-person service, but you leave with the title in hand rather than waiting for mail delivery.
Do I need to have the vehicle inspected before transferring the title?
No inspection is required for a title transfer in Illinois. However, if you are registering the vehicle for the first time in Illinois or if it is a salvage or rebuilt title, additional requirements may explore. Check with the Secretary of State's office about your specific vehicle type.
What if I buy a vehicle from a private seller and they refuse to sign the title?
Do not complete the purchase. Without the seller's signature on the title, you cannot legally own the vehicle. If a seller is unwilling to sign, it usually signals a problem — the vehicle may have an outstanding loan, be stolen, or have other legal issues. Walk away from the sale.