Transferring an Illinois Vehicle Title
An Illinois title transfer follows a single multi-purpose form — the VSD 190 — combined with the seller-signed certificate of title and a Vehicle Use Tax return. The Illinois Secretary of State charges a $165 title fee, one of the highest in the country, and gives buyers 30 days from the date of sale to complete the paperwork before late penalties apply.
Seller's responsibilities
The seller in a private-party transaction must:
- Sign and date the back of the certificate of title in the assignment block.
- Disclose the current odometer reading on the title (or on a Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement if the title doesn't have a section).
- Hand over the title and a bill of sale (recommended even though Illinois doesn't strictly require one).
- Complete and submit a Notice of Sale through the SOS portal within 20 days, releasing the seller from future liability for the vehicle.
Buyer's responsibilities
The buyer has 30 days to bring the following to a Driver Services Facility:
- The signed-over certificate of title from the seller.
- A completed VSD 190 (Application for Vehicle Transaction(s)).
- A completed RUT-50 Vehicle Use Tax return.
- An odometer disclosure if not already on the title.
- Proof of Illinois liability insurance on the vehicle.
- Your Illinois driver's license or state ID.
- Payment of the title fee, the registration fee (if also registering), and the Vehicle Use Tax.
Vehicle Use Tax (RUT-50)
Illinois calculates the Vehicle Use Tax on a tiered schedule for private-party transactions:
| Vehicle age | Purchase price | Use tax |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years or older | Any | $25 |
| 9 years | Any | $50 |
| 8 years | Any | $65 |
| 7 years | Any | $80 |
| 6 years | Any | $95 |
| 5 years | Any | $130 |
| 4 years | Any | $165 |
| 3 years | Any | $215 |
| 2 years | Any | $290 |
| 1 year or newer | Any | $390 |
| Any age | $15,000+ | 6.25% of purchase price |
Cook County and the City of Chicago add their own local vehicle taxes on top of the state Vehicle Use Tax — Chicago's add-on alone is $90 for passenger cars.
Title transfer with a lien
If the vehicle has an outstanding loan, the buyer can't title the vehicle in their name until the lien is released. The seller must obtain a lien release from the lender — usually a notarized statement on the lender's letterhead, plus the original title if the lender has been holding it. Illinois then issues a new title in the buyer's name and records any new lien from the buyer's lender.
Family and gift transfers
Transfers between immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling) qualify for a flat $15 Vehicle Use Tax instead of the standard tiered schedule. The relationship must be documented on Form RUT-50 and supported by a copy of a birth or marriage certificate. Gift transfers between non-family members still owe the standard tiered tax based on fair market value.
Out-of-state titles
A vehicle moving into Illinois with an out-of-state title still requires the buyer to surrender the original title, complete the VSD 190 and RUT-25 (for out-of-state purchases), pass any required emissions test, and pay the $165 title fee. Out-of-state titles must be the original — Illinois will not accept a photocopy or scan.
Need to look up a VIN before buying? Try our VIN decoder.