Illinois Title Transfer Guide (2026)
| Titling agency | Illinois DMV ↗ |
| Transfer deadline | 20 days from sale |
| Sales / use tax | 6.25% · Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price bracket |
| Bill of sale notary | Not required |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Not required |
| Lien release form | VSD 790 ↗ |
| Gift / family exemption | RUT-50 ↗ |
Illinois title transfer in 8 steps
- 1Gather documents — original title (or duplicate if lost), valid government ID, current registration, lien release (VSD 790) if applicable, and odometer disclosure for vehicles under 20 years old.
- 2Complete the bill of sale — record buyer + seller full legal names and addresses, vehicle VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, and sale date.
- 3Sign the title — seller endorses the title assignment section on the back, fills in buyer info, odometer reading, and sale date. Illinois requires odometer disclosure for vehicles under 15 years old.
- 4Check VIN inspection requirements — if the vehicle is from out of state, confirm whether Illinois requires a VIN inspection (varies by origin state).
- 5Buyer files at Illinois DMV — within 20 days of the sale, the buyer brings the signed title, bill of sale, and ID to Illinois DMV.
- 6Pay tax and fees — 6.25% sales/use tax on the sale price plus any local surtax, plus the title fee ($15-$50).
- 7Receive new title — Illinois DMV issues a new title in the buyer's name (typically by mail within 2-4 weeks).
- 8Seller files release of liability — to remove future ticket/toll responsibility from the seller's record, file a notice of transfer with Illinois DMV the same day as the sale.
Illinois lien release procedure
- Lienholder completes VSD 790 (Notice of Lien Release).
- Owner submits VSD 790 with current title to the Secretary of State.
- Pay $15 title fee.
- Receive new title with lien removed.
Inherited vehicle title transfer
Illinois estate transfers require either a small-estate affidavit (for estates below the state threshold, typically $50,000-$150,000) or letters of administration from probate court. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title to Illinois DMV. For family transfers without sale, Illinois accepts RUT-50 for sales-tax exemption.
Need a Illinois bill of sale to complete the transfer?
Compliant with Illinois DMV requirements. From $9 — instant DMV-ready PDF, no signup.
Create Illinois Bill of Sale →Frequently Asked Questions — Illinois
How long do I have to transfer a car title in Illinois?▾
Illinois requires the buyer to file the title transfer within 20 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline triggers late penalties (typically $25-$50) and accrued use tax.
What does a Illinois title transfer cost?▾
Illinois charges 6.25% state sales/use tax on the transfer price plus any local surtax. Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price bracket The title fee itself is typically $15-$50 depending on vehicle class.
Do I need a bill of sale to transfer a title in Illinois?▾
Yes — Illinois requires a written bill of sale documenting the buyer, seller, vehicle (VIN, year, make, model), odometer reading, and sale price. Illinois DMV uses the bill of sale to calculate sales tax and confirm transfer terms.
What if there's a lien on the title in Illinois?▾
In Illinois, the lender must complete VSD 790 (available at https://www.ilsos.gov/publications/pdf_publications/vsd790.pdf) confirming lien satisfaction before title transfer. Some lenders provide an electronic release directly to Illinois DMV. The buyer cannot register the vehicle until the lien is cleared.
How do I transfer a title for an inherited vehicle in Illinois?▾
Illinois inherited-vehicle transfers require either a small-estate affidavit or letters of administration depending on estate value. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title (or duplicate) to Illinois DMV, along with a bill of sale for any sale to a third party. For family transfers, Illinois accepts RUT-50 to claim the sales tax exemption.
Source: Illinois DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07