What you need to do to transfer a car title in Illinois

To transfer a car title in Illinois, you must complete Form VSD 278 (process for Illinois Certificate of Title), submit it to the Secretary of State's office with proof of ownership and a completed odometer statement, and pay the title transfer fee. The process takes about two to three weeks by mail, or you can visit a Secretary of State facility in person for faster processing. You cannot legally drive the vehicle as the new owner until the title is in your name.

Illinois requires the seller to sign the title in the designated area on the back, and you (the buyer) must also sign it. Both signatures must be notarized or witnessed by a notary public — a blank signature does not count. The vehicle must pass an emissions test within 30 days of the transfer if it is subject to Illinois emissions rules, which applies to most vehicles in the Chicago area and some surrounding counties.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the signed title from the seller, a completed odometer statement, and Form VSD 278, all submitted to the Secretary of State with the transfer fee.
  • Both the seller and buyer signatures on the title must be notarized or witnessed by a notary public before you submit the paperwork.
  • The vehicle must pass an emissions test within 30 days if it is registered in an Illinois emissions-testing county, primarily the Chicago area.
  • Processing takes two to three weeks by mail or same-day to a few days if you visit a Secretary of State facility in person.
  • You cannot legally register or insure the vehicle in your name until the new title arrives from the state.

Documents the seller must provide and sign

The seller must give you the original title certificate and sign the back of it in the area marked "Seller's Signature." This signature must be notarized or witnessed by a notary public — the notary will stamp and sign the title to confirm they watched the seller sign it. If the title is lost or damaged, the seller can request a duplicate from the Secretary of State before the sale, though this adds time to the process.

The seller should also provide you with the odometer reading at the time of sale. You will write this number on Form VSD 278 when you submit your transfer paperwork. If the vehicle is financed, the seller's lender may hold the title until the loan is paid off; in that case, the lender must sign the title or provide a separate release document before the transfer can happen.

How to get signatures notarized

You can have the title notarized at a bank, credit union, attorney's office, or a dedicated notary service. Many UPS stores and FedEx locations also offer notary services for a small fee, usually between $5 and $15 per signature. The notary will watch the seller sign the title, then sign and stamp it themselves to confirm the signature is genuine.

Both you and the seller can sign in front of the same notary, or you can each use a different notary — the state accepts either approach. The notary must be a commissioned Illinois notary public; notaries from other states are not accepted for Illinois title transfers. If you are buying from a private seller, arrange the notarization before you hand over payment, so both of you can complete it together.

Completing Form VSD 278 and submitting to the Secretary of State

Form VSD 278 asks for the vehicle identification number (VIN), the current owner's name and address, your name and address, the purchase price, the odometer reading, and the date of sale. You can read the form from the Illinois Secretary of State website or pick one up at any Secretary of State facility. Print it clearly or type it; handwritten forms are accepted but must be legible.

Mail the completed form along with the notarized title, a check or money order for the transfer fee (currently $150 for a standard passenger vehicle, though fees vary by vehicle type), and the odometer statement to the address listed on the form. You can also submit in person at any Secretary of State office location — bring the original documents, not copies, and the fee in cash, check, or card. In-person submissions are processed faster, sometimes the same day or within a few business days.

Emissions testing requirements in Illinois

If your vehicle is registered in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will County, it must pass an Illinois emissions test within 30 days of the title transfer. You can take the vehicle to any state-certified emissions testing station; a list is available on the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency website. The test costs around $30 to $50 and takes about 15 minutes.

You do not need to wait for the new title to arrive before testing — you can use the bill of sale or a temporary registration document as proof of ownership at the testing station. If the vehicle fails the emissions test, you have 30 days to repair it and retest at no additional charge. Once it passes, the testing station sends the results directly to the Secretary of State, and you do not need to submit anything else.

Timeline and what to expect after you submit

By mail, the Secretary of State typically processes title transfers within two to three weeks. You will receive the new title certificate in your name at the address you provided on Form VSD 278. During this time, you cannot legally register the vehicle with Illinois or purchase insurance in your name — most insurers will not issue a policy without a title in your name.

If you need the title faster, visit a Secretary of State facility in person. Same-day or next-business-day processing is available at most locations, though wait times vary by office and time of day. Call ahead or check the Secretary of State website to find the office nearest you and confirm their hours. Bring all original documents, the fee, and a valid photo ID.

What to do if the seller's title has a lien or is held by a lender

If the vehicle is financed, the seller's lender holds the title and must release it before you can transfer it to your name. The seller should contact their lender and request a lien release or title release letter. The lender will either sign the title itself or provide a separate document authorizing the transfer.

Do not complete the purchase until you have the lien release in hand. Once you do, follow the same process: have the seller and lender signatures notarized (if required), complete Form VSD 278, and submit everything to the Secretary of State. The lender's signature must also be notarized if it appears on the title itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive the car before the new title arrives?

No. You cannot legally drive, register, or insure the vehicle in your name until the new title is issued. If you need to move the vehicle before the title arrives, ask the seller to keep their insurance active temporarily, or arrange for a tow. Some dealers offer temporary permits, but private sellers cannot.

What if I bought the car out of state?

You must still transfer the title to Illinois within 30 days of moving it into the state. Use the same process: get the out-of-state title notarized, complete Form VSD 278, and submit it to the Illinois Secretary of State. If the out-of-state title does not have a signature line for the buyer, contact the Secretary of State office for guidance on how to proceed.

What if the seller lost the title?

The seller must request a duplicate title from their state's motor vehicle department before the sale. In Illinois, this is done through the Secretary of State and takes one to two weeks. The seller pays a fee for the duplicate. Once they receive it, they can sign it and proceed with the transfer as normal.

Do I need a bill of sale in Illinois?

A bill of sale is not required by the state, but it is a good idea to have one anyway. It documents the sale price, date, and both parties' names and signatures, and can protect you if a dispute arises later. You can write a straightforward bill of sale yourself or use a template from the Secretary of State website.

What happens if I miss the 30-day emissions test important date?

If you are in an emissions-testing county and do not test within 30 days, your vehicle registration can be suspended. You can still test after the important date, but you may face a late fee or be required to renew your registration. Test as soon as possible after the transfer to avoid this.