Illinois charges a flat fee to transfer a car title, plus a few smaller costs that depend on your situation
The title transfer fee in Illinois is $150, paid to the Secretary of State. This is the main cost you will encounter. On top of that, you may owe a $10 duplicate title fee if you need an extra copy, a $5 fee if you are transferring a salvage title, or a $25 fee if the title was lost or never issued. The total usually lands between $150 and $190 depending on what documents you need.
You do not pay this fee online or by mail to a state office. Instead, you pay it at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility or through an authorized third-party vendor — usually a currency exchange, a check-cashing service, or a title service company in your area. Some counties also have satellite offices. The fee is non-refundable once you submit your paperwork.
Key Takeaways
- The base title transfer fee in Illinois is $150, paid at a Secretary of State office or authorized vendor.
- Additional fees explore if you need a duplicate title ($10), are transferring a salvage title ($5), or the title was lost ($25).
- You must bring the signed title, proof of ownership, and a valid ID to complete the transfer in person.
- Processing takes about two weeks from the date you submit your paperwork, and you will receive your new title by mail.
Where to pay the fee and what to bring
You must visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility in person to pay the title transfer fee. Find the location nearest you on the Illinois Secretary of State website — there are offices in most counties. Some facilities accept walk-ins; others require an appointment. Call ahead or check online to confirm hours and whether you need to book a time slot.
Bring your current title (signed by the previous owner on the back), a valid photo ID, and proof of residency such as a utility bill or lease. If you are buying the car from a dealer, the dealer usually handles the title transfer and includes the fee in the purchase price. If you are buying from a private seller, you handle the transfer yourself and pay the fee directly.
Some authorized vendors — currency exchanges and check-cashing services in particular — can process title transfers on behalf of the Secretary of State. These vendors charge the same $150 state fee plus a small service fee of their own, usually $10 to $25. Using a vendor is faster if one is near you, but you will pay more than going directly to a state office.
When you owe extra fees beyond the base $150
A duplicate title costs an additional $10. You might need this if you lost your title, if it was damaged, or if you want a second copy for your records. You can request a duplicate at the same time you transfer ownership, or you can request one later.
A salvage title transfer costs an additional $5 on top of the $150 base fee. A salvage title means the car was declared a total loss by an insurance company at some point. You will need to bring documentation showing the car has been repaired and inspected if you want to convert it back to a regular title — that is a separate process with its own requirements.
If your title was lost and never issued, or if you are transferring a title that was never received, you will pay an additional $25 fee. This is less common but can happen if paperwork was misfiled or if you bought a car years ago and never registered it in your name.
How long the transfer takes and what happens next
After you submit your paperwork and pay the fee, the Secretary of State processes your transfer over the next two weeks. You will not receive anything when ready. Instead, your new title will arrive by mail at the address you provided on your transfer form, usually within 10 to 14 business days.
During this waiting period, you are the legal owner even though you do not yet have the new title in hand. If you need proof of ownership before the title arrives — for insurance purposes, for example — you can request a temporary ownership document at the same time you submit your transfer paperwork. This temporary document costs nothing extra and is issued on the spot.
If your new title does not arrive within three weeks, contact the Secretary of State Driver Services office where you submitted your paperwork. Bring your receipt showing the date and amount you paid. They can look up your transfer status and reissue the title if it was lost in the mail.
Title transfer fees for different ownership situations
The $150 fee applies whether you are transferring a title into your name for the first time, adding a co-owner, removing a co-owner, or changing the name on an existing title. The fee does not change based on the car's value, age, or condition.
If you are transferring a title after inheriting a car, you will still pay the $150 fee, but you will also need to bring a death certificate and proof that you are the legal heir. If you are transferring a title as part of a divorce settlement, you will need a certified copy of the divorce decree or settlement agreement. These documents do not add to the fee — they are just required paperwork.
If you are transferring a title for a vehicle that is being financed, the lender's name will appear on the title as a lienholder. You cannot remove the lender's name yourself; the lender must release the lien in writing. Once you have that release, you can transfer the title and the lender's name will no longer appear on the new title.
What the fee covers and what it does not
The $150 title transfer fee covers the cost of processing your paperwork, updating the Secretary of State's records, and issuing your new title. It does not cover vehicle registration, which is a separate fee. If you are registering the car in Illinois for the first time, you will owe registration fees in addition to the title transfer fee.
The fee also does not cover any local property taxes or use taxes that may explore in your county. Some Illinois counties charge a use tax on vehicle purchases; this is separate from the title fee and is collected by the county assessor, not the Secretary of State. Check with your county assessor's office to find out whether a use tax applies to your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a title by mail instead of going in person?
No. Illinois requires you to appear in person at a Secretary of State office or authorized vendor to transfer a title. You cannot mail in the paperwork or use a notary to sign on your behalf. The only exception is if you are transferring a title after the previous owner's death — in that case, you may be able to mail in the death certificate and other documents, but you should call your local office first to confirm.
What if I buy a car from a dealer — do I still pay the $150 fee?
Yes, but the dealer usually collects it from you as part of the purchase price or as a separate line item on your bill of sale. The dealer then handles the title transfer on your behalf and pays the fee to the Secretary of State. You do not go to a state office yourself. Always ask the dealer to show you the title transfer fee on your paperwork so you know what you are paying.
Do I need to pay the title transfer fee if I am just renewing my registration?
No. Renewing your registration is separate from transferring a title. You only pay the title transfer fee when you change ownership, add or remove an owner's name, or request a duplicate title. Renewal is handled through the Secretary of State's online system or by mail and has its own fee.
What happens if I lose my receipt showing I paid the title transfer fee?
Contact the Secretary of State office where you paid the fee and bring a photo ID. They can look up your payment in their system using your name and the date you submitted your paperwork. You do not need the receipt to prove you paid — the state's records are the proof.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind about the title transfer?
No. The title transfer fee is non-refundable once you submit your paperwork and pay. If you decide not to complete the transfer, you have already lost the $150. Make sure you are ready to proceed before you go to the office.