How to Transfer a Car Title in Illinois (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Last updated: November 2026 · By the titling team at Autos of Chicago, Arlington Heights, IL

Buying or selling a car privately in Illinois? The title transfer is the part people get wrong most often, and one bad signature or a missed deadline can mean a voided title, late fees, or weeks of waiting. This guide walks buyers and sellers through every step, the forms you need, and what it costs in 2026.

Quick answer: how to transfer a car title in Illinois

Seller signs the back of the Illinois title and fills in the buyer's name, sale date, price and odometer reading.
Seller keeps the license plates and reports the sale to the Secretary of State.
Buyer completes Form VSD 190 (Application for Vehicle Transaction) and Form RUT-50 (Private Party Vehicle Use Tax).
Buyer submits the signed title, VSD 190, RUT-50 and payment to an Illinois Secretary of State facility within 20 days of the sale.
Buyer pays the $165 title fee, registration ($151 for standard plates) and the RUT-50 tax.

How much does an Illinois title transfer cost in 2026?

Fee	Cost	Who pays
Certificate of title	$165	Buyer
Standard passenger registration (new plates)	$151	Buyer
Transferring plates you already own	Small transfer fee instead of new registration	Buyer
Private party vehicle use tax (RUT-50)	$100 to $10,100 (see table below)	Buyer
Local Chicago / Cook County vehicle tax	Extra flat amount if you live there	Buyer

The seller pays nothing to the state for a normal private sale.

For sellers: how to sign over a car title in Illinois

Find the "Assignment of Title" section on the back of your Illinois title.
Print the buyer's full legal name and address exactly as it appears on their ID.
Write the sale date and sale price. Use the real price. The buyer's tax is based on it, and an unrealistic number can trigger a review.
Write the exact odometer reading (no tenths) and check the box if the mileage is not accurate or exceeds the odometer's limits.
Sign and print your name. If two owners are listed with "and", both must sign. If they're joined by "or", one signature is usually enough.
Pay off any loan first. If a lender is listed on the title, you need the lien release before the buyer can title the car (see "Selling a car with a loan" below).
Keep your license plates. In Illinois, plates stay with the seller, not the car. You can transfer them to another vehicle you own or turn them in.
Report the sale. Complete the notice of sale portion of the title (or the Secretary of State's seller report form) so you're not responsible for tickets or tolls after the car leaves.
Cancel your insurance only after the buyer has taken the car.

Never leave the buyer section blank. Handing over a signed title with the buyer's name left empty (an "open title") is not allowed in Illinois and leaves you liable for the car.

For buyers: what you need to title the car

Bring these to an Illinois Secretary of State facility (or mail them in) within 20 days of the purchase:

The original title, signed over to you by every owner listed on the front.
Form VSD 190, Application for Vehicle Transaction(s).
Form RUT-50, Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Transaction Return. It's due within 30 days of the purchase, and filing late adds penalties.
The lien release, if the title shows a lender.
Your driver's license and proof of Illinois insurance.
Payment for the title, registration and tax.

Bought the car in another state? You file Form RUT-25 instead of RUT-50. See our guide to buying a used car out of state and paying Illinois tax.

Illinois RUT-50 private party tax table (2026)

Unlike a dealer purchase, private sales use a flat tax set by the vehicle's age or price.

Table A: purchase price under $15,000 (based on vehicle age)

Vehicle Age	Tax Amount
1 year old or newer	$465
2 years	$365
3 years	$290
4 years	$240
5 years	$190
6 to 10 years	Decreases each year (see RUT-50 instructions)
11 years or older	$100

Table B: purchase price of $15,000 or more

Purchase Price Range	Tax Amount
$15,000 – $19,999.99	$850
$20,000 – $24,999.99	$1,100
$25,000 – $29,999.99	$1,350
$30,000 – $49,999.99	$1,600
$50,000 – $99,999.99	$2,600
$100,000 – $999,999.99	$5,100
$1,000,000 or more	$10,100

Source: Illinois Department of Revenue, RUT-50 instructions. Gifts and transfers between close family members are taxed differently. Check the instructions before you file.

Special situations

Selling a car that still has a loan

The lender holds the title until the loan is paid. In a private sale, you usually pay off the loan, wait for the lender to release the lien, then sign the title over. That can take days or weeks, and buyers are often nervous about paying before they see a clean title.

When you sell your car to Autos of Chicago, we pay the lender directly and handle the lien release and title paperwork for you.

Lost or damaged title

If the title is lost, stolen or damaged (including any use of white-out or crossed-out names), the owner must apply for a duplicate title with Form VSD 190 before the car can be sold. Order the duplicate before listing the car so the sale isn't held up.

Gifting a car to a family member

A gifted car still needs a title transfer. Write "gift" as the price where applicable, and the recipient files the RUT-50 using the gift or family transfer rules, which usually carry a much smaller tax than a sale.

Common mistakes that delay an Illinois title transfer

Using white-out or crossing out anything on the title. It can void the title.
Only one of two required owners signing.
Leaving the buyer's name or the odometer reading blank.
Missing the 20-day title deadline or 30-day tax deadline.
Letting the buyer drive away on your plates.
Forgetting the lien release when the title lists a lender.

Private sale vs. selling to a dealer

	Private sale	Selling or trading in at Autos of Chicago
Title paperwork	You and the buyer handle it	Our titling team handles it
Loan payoff	You coordinate with the lender	We pay the lender directly
Getting paid	Risk of bad checks or no-shows	Paid by the dealership
Trade-in tax savings	None	Trading in can lower the tax on your next car (see how)
Price	Often higher, if you're willing to do the work	A fair offer, with no listing, showings or paperwork

Want top dollar without selling it yourself? Ask about consigning your car, where we sell it for you.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Illinois title transfer FAQ

How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Illinois?

The title fee is $165. Most buyers also pay $151 for standard registration and the RUT-50 private party tax, which ranges from $100 to $10,100 depending on the car's age and price.

How long do I have to transfer a title in Illinois?

Buyers should apply for the new title within 20 days of the purchase. The RUT-50 tax return is due within 30 days, and late filings add penalties.

Do license plates stay with the car in Illinois?

No. Plates stay with the seller. The buyer needs new plates or must transfer plates from another vehicle they own.

Does the seller need to go to the Secretary of State with the buyer?

No. If the seller has correctly signed the title and provided any lien release, the buyer can complete the transfer alone.

What happens if I make a mistake on the title?

Don't try to fix it with white-out or by crossing it out. The owner will usually need to apply for a duplicate title, so stop and confirm the correct steps with the Secretary of State.

Selling your car? Skip the title hassle.

We buy cars in Arlington Heights and across Chicagoland, even with a loan. We pay off the lender and handle the Illinois title paperwork for you.

Get an offer for your car →

Autos of Chicago · 1555 E Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 · (224) 858-4007

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and forms are set by the Illinois Secretary of State and Illinois Department of Revenue and can change. Confirm current requirements at ilsos.gov and tax.illinois.gov.