Illinois vs Washington: Motorcycle Bill of Sale Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side: Illinois vs Washington motorcycle sale
| Feature | Illinois | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 6.5% sales/use tax · Washington procedure |
| Title fee (buyer pays) | $150 | $12 |
| Title transfer deadline | 20 days from sale | 15 days from sale |
| Notarization requirement | Not required | Not required |
| Lien release process | VSD 790 | TD-420-069 or Title (lien section) |
| Odometer disclosure cutoff | Required for motorcycles newer than 2011 | Required for motorcycles newer than 2011 |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Not required | Required (out-of-state vehicles) |
| Titling agency | Illinois SOS | Washington DOL |
When to choose Illinois vs Washington
Illinois charges 6.25% vs 6.5% in Washington, a 0.25-point spread the buyer pays at title transfer. Illinois requires title transfer within 20 days; Washington allows 15. Tight 15-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, motorcycle, sale price, odometer reading, and signatures. For a motorcycle 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 Washington
If the motorcycle moves from Illinois to Washington after the sale, the buyer registers and titles in Washington — 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 Washington DOL within 15 days of arrival. Washington will assess 6.5% sales or use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued. Washington requires a VIN inspection for vehicles arriving from out of state — WA requires a VIN inspection by a DOL inspector, law enforcement, or licensed vehicle dealer for out-of-state titles with no VIN visible on the vehicle. The federal odometer disclosure rules apply regardless of which state owns the title at sale time; motorcycles 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 Washington DOL will issue a clean title to the buyer.
Generate a state-specific motorcycle 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 Washington
Is the motorcycle bill of sale form different in Illinois vs Washington?▾
Neither Illinois nor Washington mandates a specific bill of sale form. Both accept any typed or generated document that includes the buyer, seller, motorcycle description, sale price, odometer reading, and signatures.
Which state has lower sales tax on a private-party motorcycle sale, Illinois or Washington?▾
Illinois (6.25%) has the lower published state rate vs Washington (6.5%). 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 motorcycle in Illinois vs Washington?▾
Illinois requires the buyer to title the motorcycle within 20 days of sale. Washington allows 15 days. Missing the deadline triggers late fees and back-dated registration penalties in both states.
Do I need to notarize the motorcycle bill of sale in Illinois or Washington?▾
Neither Illinois nor Washington requires notarization of the motorcycle bill of sale. A signed document with both parties' full names, addresses, and the date is sufficient.
If I sell a motorcycle in Illinois and the buyer registers it in Washington, which state's rules apply?▾
The buyer titles and registers the motorcycle in Washington — Washington's rules govern the title transfer. The seller's bill of sale should still reflect Illinois sale-side conventions because the sale closed there. Washington DOL will assess 6.5% sales/use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued, regardless of where the sale occurred.