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 reading, and pay the transfer fee. The process differs slightly depending on whether you're buying from a private seller, a dealer, or inheriting the vehicle. Illinois does not allow online title transfers—you must submit documents by mail, in person at a Secretary of State facility, or through an authorized vehicle dealer or currency exchange.
The Secretary of State processes most title transfers within 7 to 10 business days if your paperwork is complete and correct. If documents are missing or incomplete, the office will return them and the timeline restarts. You cannot legally drive the vehicle as the owner until the new title arrives in your name.
Key Takeaways
- Form VSD 278 is the required process for all Illinois title transfers, and you must include the current title, proof of ownership, and an odometer reading.
- The transfer fee in Illinois is $150 for a standard passenger vehicle, plus any applicable county fees or sales tax if the vehicle was purchased.
- You can submit your title transfer documents by mail to the Secretary of State, in person at a facility, or through a licensed dealer or currency exchange.
- The Secretary of State typically issues a new title within 7 to 10 business days, and you should not drive the vehicle as the registered owner until it arrives.
- If you are transferring a title after inheriting a vehicle, you will need the death certificate and a court document showing you have the right to the estate.
Documents you need for a private sale transfer
When you buy a car from a private seller in Illinois, you need the current title (signed by the seller in the designated transfer section), a bill of sale, and proof of your identity. The bill of sale does not have to be a specific form—it can be a straightforward written agreement that includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date, and signatures from both buyer and seller. This document protects both parties and serves as evidence of the transaction.
You also need an odometer reading. If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, the seller must provide the current mileage on the title or on a separate odometer statement. For vehicles 10 years or older, an odometer reading is not required. Bring your driver's license or state ID as proof of identity, and have the current title signed by the seller before you submit anything to the Secretary of State.
Transferring a dealer-sold vehicle title
When you buy from a licensed Illinois dealer, the dealer typically handles the title transfer on your behalf. The dealer will prepare Form VSD 278, collect the transfer fee from you, and submit everything to the Secretary of State. You should receive a temporary registration document (often called a temporary permit) that allows you to drive the vehicle while the title is being processed.
Even though the dealer manages the paperwork, you are responsible for making sure the title arrives correctly in your name. Check your temporary permit for the expected delivery date, and contact the dealer if you do not receive your new title within 15 business days. If there is an error on the title when it arrives—such as a misspelled name or wrong VIN—you will need to file a correction with the Secretary of State.
How to transfer a title after inheriting a vehicle
Transferring a title after a death requires additional documents beyond the standard process. You will need the current title, a certified copy of the death certificate, and a court document proving you have the authority to handle the estate. This might be a will, a letter of testamentary, or a small estate affidavit, depending on how the estate was settled. The specific document depends on whether the vehicle was left in a will or passed by intestate succession.
Contact the probate court in the county where the person died to find out which document you need. Some estates do not require formal probate, and you may be able to use a small estate affidavit if the total estate value is below a certain threshold. Once you have the required documents, submit them with Form VSD 278 and the transfer fee to the Secretary of State. There is no transfer fee for inherited vehicles in Illinois, but you will still need to pay any applicable sales tax if the vehicle is being registered in your name for the first time.
Where to submit your title transfer documents
You can submit your title transfer documents by mail to the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Index, 501 South Second Street, Springfield, Illinois 62756. Include a cover letter with your name, phone number, and the vehicle VIN so the office can track your process. Mail typically takes 5 to 7 business days to arrive, so allow extra time in your timeline.
You can also submit documents in person at any Secretary of State facility. Locations are listed on the Secretary of State website, and many facilities accept walk-ins without an appointment, though wait times vary. Some licensed vehicle dealers and currency exchanges in Illinois are authorized to process title transfers on behalf of the Secretary of State. These locations charge a small service fee in addition to the state transfer fee, but they can often process your paperwork faster than mailing it yourself.
Transfer fees and taxes in Illinois
The standard title transfer fee in Illinois is $150 for a passenger vehicle. If you are transferring a title for a vehicle you purchased, you may also owe sales tax on the purchase price. Illinois sales tax is 6.25 percent at the state level, but counties and municipalities can add local taxes, so the total rate varies by location. The Secretary of State will calculate any tax owed based on the purchase price you report on the process.
If you inherited the vehicle, you do not pay a transfer fee, but you may owe sales tax if you register it in your name for the first time. If you are transferring a title between family members as a gift, you still pay the $150 transfer fee, but you may not owe sales tax if you report the transaction as a gift rather than a sale. Keep documentation of any gift transfer in case the Secretary of State requests proof.
What happens if your paperwork is incomplete or incorrect
If the Secretary of State finds an error or missing document, they will return your process by mail with a notice explaining what is wrong. Common issues include a missing signature from the seller, an odometer reading that does not match the title, or a bill of sale that lacks required information. Once you receive the notice, you have 30 days to correct the problem and resubmit. If you do not respond within 30 days, your process is denied and you must start over.
To avoid delays, double-check that the seller has signed the title in the correct section, that all names are spelled consistently across all documents, and that the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the vehicle itself. If you are unsure about any part of the form, contact the Secretary of State's office by phone or visit a local facility in person before you mail your documents. Fixing errors before submission is much faster than waiting for a rejection and resubmitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive the car while my title transfer is being processed?
If you bought from a dealer, you will receive a temporary registration permit that allows you to drive while the title is being processed. If you bought from a private seller, you should not drive the vehicle as the registered owner until the new title arrives. You can have the vehicle towed or transported to avoid driving it unregistered.
What if the seller will not sign the title?
The seller must sign the title for the transfer to be valid. If the seller refuses, you do not have legal ownership and should not complete the purchase. If you have already paid and the seller will not cooperate, you may need to pursue the matter through small claims court or consult an attorney.
Do I need to get the vehicle inspected before transferring the title?
Illinois does not require a pre-transfer inspection for title purposes. However, you may want to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before you buy it to avoid purchasing a vehicle with hidden problems. An inspection is your choice, not a legal requirement for the title transfer.
How long does it take to receive the new title in the mail?
The Secretary of State typically processes and mails titles within 7 to 10 business days if your paperwork is complete. Mail delivery adds another 3 to 5 business days, so expect to receive your title within 2 to 3 weeks from the date you submit it. If you do not receive it within 4 weeks, contact the Secretary of State to check the status.
What if I bought the car out of state and want to transfer it to an Illinois title?
You will need the current out-of-state title, a bill of sale, proof of identity, and an odometer reading. Submit these documents with Form VSD 278 and the transfer fee to the Illinois Secretary of State. The process is the same as a private sale transfer within Illinois, and you will owe Illinois sales tax on the purchase price.