What you need to do to change a car title in Illinois
Changing a car title in Illinois means updating the ownership record with the Secretary of State's office. You do this by submitting the current title document along with other paperwork that proves why the title needs to change — whether you're adding or removing an owner, correcting a name, or transferring ownership after a sale or inheritance.
The Secretary of State's office processes title changes, not your local DMV or county clerk. You can submit your paperwork by mail to their Springfield office, in person at a Driver Services facility, or through an authorized title service company. The process takes different amounts of time depending on which method you choose and whether your paperwork is complete the first time.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois title changes go to the Secretary of State, not a county office, and require your current title plus documents that prove why the change is needed.
- Adding a spouse or co-owner requires a notarized form and proof of marriage or the relationship; removing an owner requires consent from all current owners.
- Correcting a misspelled name or wrong information on an existing title uses a different form than transferring ownership to a new person.
- Mail submission takes four to six weeks; in-person submission at a Driver Services facility is faster but requires a trip to one of their locations.
- If you use a title service company, they handle the paperwork but charge a fee on top of the state's title fee.
Adding or removing an owner from your title
Adding an owner — usually a spouse or co-buyer — requires form VSD 190, the process for Duplicate or Corrected Title. You must have the current title in hand, and both the current owner and the new owner must sign the form in front of a notary public. The notary's signature and seal make the document official.
You will also need to bring or mail proof that the relationship exists. For a spouse, this means a certified copy of your marriage certificate. For other co-owners, bring documentation that shows the person has a legal interest in the vehicle — a bill of sale, a loan agreement, or a court order, depending on why they are being added.
Removing an owner is more complicated because all current owners must agree. If you and another person own the car together and you want to remove them, they must sign the form acknowledging the removal. If they refuse or cannot be located, you will need a court order to proceed. This is why removing an owner often requires a lawyer.
Correcting errors on your title
If your title has a misspelled name, wrong address, incorrect vehicle identification number (VIN), or other factual error, you use form VSD 190 to request a corrected title. You do not need anyone else's signature for straightforward corrections — only the current owner signs.
Bring or mail the current title along with proof of what the correct information should be. For a name correction, this might be a driver's license or birth certificate showing the correct spelling. For a VIN error, bring your vehicle registration or the manufacturer's label inside the driver's door jamb. The Secretary of State will compare your proof against what is on file and issue a new title with the correction.
Transferring ownership to a new owner
If you are selling the car or giving it to someone else, the new owner must register it in their name. In Illinois, this happens through a title transfer, not a separate registration step. The seller signs the back of the title document, and the buyer submits it to the Secretary of State along with form VSD 190 and proof of purchase (usually a bill of sale).
The buyer also needs proof of insurance before the title transfer is complete. Illinois law requires that anyone registering a vehicle show proof of liability insurance. If you are buying the car, have your insurance company issue a proof-of-insurance document before you go to submit the paperwork.
If the car is being transferred because of a death, the new owner (usually a spouse or heir) needs a certified copy of the death certificate and, in some cases, a court document showing they have the legal right to inherit the vehicle. The exact documents depend on whether there was a will and whether the estate went through probate.
Where and how to submit your title change paperwork
You have three options: mail your documents to the Secretary of State's office in Springfield, submit them in person at a Driver Services facility, or use a title service company.
Mailing your paperwork takes the longest — typically four to six weeks from the date the office receives it. You send the current title, the completed form (VSD 190 or the form specific to your situation), supporting documents, and a check or money order for the title fee. The current fee for a duplicate or corrected title is $95, though this can change. Mail everything to the Secretary of State's office at 501 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62756. Keep a copy of everything you send.
Submitting in person at a Driver Services facility is faster. You bring the original title, completed form, supporting documents, and payment. Staff will review your paperwork on the spot and tell you if anything is missing. If everything is correct, you leave with a receipt and your new title arrives by mail in one to two weeks. Driver Services facilities are located throughout Illinois; you can find the one nearest you on the Secretary of State's website.
Using a title service company means a private business handles the paperwork submission for you. They charge a service fee — typically $50 to $150 on top of the state's $95 title fee — but they know the process and can often catch mistakes before submission. This is useful if your situation is complicated, such as adding multiple owners or correcting several errors at once.
Documents you will need for different types of changes
| Type of Change | Required Documents |
|---|---|
| Adding a spouse | Current title, form VSD 190, certified marriage certificate, notarized signatures from both owners |
| Adding a co-owner (non-spouse) | Current title, form VSD 190, proof of legal interest (bill of sale, loan agreement, or court order), notarized signatures from all owners |
| Removing an owner | Current title, form VSD 190, written consent from all owners (may require court order if owner refuses) |
| Correcting a name or address | Current title, form VSD 190, proof of correct information (driver's license, birth certificate, or registration) |
| Correcting a VIN | Current title, form VSD 190, manufacturer's label or registration showing correct VIN |
| Transferring to a new owner | Current title signed by seller, form VSD 190, bill of sale, proof of insurance for new owner |
| Transferring due to death | Current title, form VSD 190, certified death certificate, court documents if estate went through probate |
What happens if your paperwork is incomplete or wrong
If you submit paperwork by mail and something is missing or incorrect, the Secretary of State's office will send you a notice. This adds weeks to the process because you have to correct the problem and resubmit. If you submit in person at a Driver Services facility, staff will catch errors when ready and tell you what to fix before you leave.
Common mistakes include a missing notary signature, a signature from only one owner when both need to sign, supporting documents that do not match what is on the title, or a check written for the wrong amount. Double-check your form against the Secretary of State's instructions before you submit, and bring a second copy of everything in case you need to make a correction on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a new title after I submit the paperwork?
By mail, four to six weeks from the date the office receives your documents. In person at a Driver Services facility, one to two weeks after submission. If you use a title service company, timing depends on their process, but they usually submit within a few days and you receive the title in one to two weeks.
Can I drive the car while my title change is being processed?
Yes. Your current registration remains valid while the title change is pending. You do not need to wait for the new title to arrive before you drive the vehicle. However, if you are transferring ownership to a new person, the new owner should not drive it until the title is in their name and they have registered it.
What if I lost my current title and need to change it?
You must first get a duplicate title by submitting form VSD 190 and paying the $95 fee. Once you have the duplicate, you can then submit a second form VSD 190 to make the change you need. This means two separate submissions and two fees, so it takes longer than a single change.
Do I need a lawyer to change my car title in Illinois?
For most changes — adding a spouse, correcting a name, transferring ownership — you do not need a lawyer. The forms are straightforward and the Secretary of State's website has instructions. You may need a lawyer if you are removing an owner who refuses to sign or if the vehicle is part of an estate and probate is involved.
Can I change the title if there is still a loan on the car?
It depends on what you are changing. If you are correcting a name or address, yes — the lender's name does not change. If you are adding or removing an owner, you must contact your lender first because they have a security interest in the vehicle. If you are transferring ownership to someone else, the new owner cannot take full ownership until the loan is paid off, though the lender may allow a transfer if the new owner assumes the loan.