Illinois vs Virginia: ATV Bill of Sale Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side: Illinois vs Virginia ATV sale
| Feature | Illinois | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Official bill of sale form | Generic bill of sale accepted | Generic bill of sale accepted |
| Sales / use tax rate | 6.25% sales/use tax · Illinois procedure | 4.15% sales/use tax · Virginia procedure |
| Title fee (buyer pays) | $150 | $15 |
| Title transfer deadline | 20 days from sale | 30 days from sale |
| Notarization requirement | Not required | Not required |
| Lien release process | VSD 790 | VSA 5 (Lien Release) |
| Odometer disclosure cutoff | Required for ATVs newer than 2011 | Required for ATVs newer than 2011 |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Not required | Not required |
| Titling agency | Illinois SOS | Virginia DMV |
When to choose Illinois vs Virginia
Virginia charges 4.15% vs 6.25% in Illinois, a 2.10-point spread the buyer pays at title transfer. Illinois requires title transfer within 20 days; Virginia allows 30. Tight 20-day deadlines push back-dated late fees onto buyers who delay. Neither state publishes a single mandatory bill of sale form — both accept a typed or generated document containing the buyer, seller, ATV, sale price, odometer reading, and signatures. For a ATV sale comparison, the buyer-side cost stack is dominated by sales/use tax, title fee, and any inspection or notary trip. Sellers should match the bill of sale format to the buyer's titling state because the buyer files the title transfer, not the seller.
Cross-state transfer: Illinois to Virginia
If the ATV moves from Illinois to Virginia after the sale, the buyer registers and titles in Virginia — not Illinois. The seller's bill of sale should still match Illinois sale-side conventions (because the sale happened there), but the buyer takes that bill of sale plus the endorsed Illinois title to Virginia DMV within 30 days of arrival. Virginia will assess 4.15% sales or use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued. The federal odometer disclosure rules apply regardless of which state owns the title at sale time; ATVs newer than 2011 need a written odometer reading on the bill of sale or title. If a lien existed on the Illinois title, the Illinois lienholder must release it (VSD 790) before Virginia DMV will issue a clean title to the buyer.
Generate a state-specific ATV bill of sale
Pick the buyer's titling state — the form ships pre-filled with the right odometer block, signature lines, and state-specific fields.
Frequently asked questions — Illinois vs Virginia
Is the ATV bill of sale form different in Illinois vs Virginia?▾
Neither Illinois nor Virginia mandates a specific bill of sale form. Both accept any typed or generated document that includes the buyer, seller, ATV description, sale price, odometer reading, and signatures.
Which state has lower sales tax on a private-party ATV sale, Illinois or Virginia?▾
Virginia (4.15%) has the lower published state rate vs Illinois (6.25%). Local county and city rates can shift this — check the buyer's home county before the sale.
What is the title transfer deadline for a ATV in Illinois vs Virginia?▾
Illinois requires the buyer to title the ATV within 20 days of sale. Virginia allows 30 days. Missing the deadline triggers late fees and back-dated registration penalties in both states.
Do I need to notarize the ATV bill of sale in Illinois or Virginia?▾
Neither Illinois nor Virginia requires notarization of the ATV bill of sale. A signed document with both parties' full names, addresses, and the date is sufficient.
If I sell a ATV in Illinois and the buyer registers it in Virginia, which state's rules apply?▾
The buyer titles and registers the ATV in Virginia — Virginia's rules govern the title transfer. The seller's bill of sale should still reflect Illinois sale-side conventions because the sale closed there. Virginia DMV will assess 4.15% sales/use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued, regardless of where the sale occurred.