Buying a used car from a private seller involves more than exchanging money and getting the keys. You also need to transfer the vehicle title into your name. The title establishes legal ownership of the vehicle, so completing this step correctly is important.
What do you need to transfer a car title in Illinois? For a typical private-party purchase, you will need the properly assigned original vehicle title and payment for taxes and title or registration fees. Additional documents may be required depending on the transaction.
You do not necessarily have to handle the process alone. West Suburban Currency Exchanges (WSCE) provides Illinois car title transfer services at our convenient Western Chicagoland locations. As a licensed agent of the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, we can help you complete the paperwork and process your title transfer. Visit us today—no appointment required!
What Documents Do I Need to Transfer a Car Title in Illinois?
The exact requirements can vary depending on how you acquired the vehicle. For a typical private-party purchase, you’ll need:
- The original vehicle title, properly signed by the seller
- A valid form of identification
- Payment for applicable taxes and fees
- Information needed to complete the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s), or VSD 190
If you visit WSCE, our experienced staff can review your documentation, provide you with forms, and help you complete your Illinois title transfer.
What Does the Seller Need to Put on the Car Title?
Before you leave with a vehicle purchased from a private seller, make sure the title has been completed correctly by the seller.
Illinois requires the Certificate of Title to be signed over to the buyer. The title assignment includes information about the buyer and seller and the vehicle’s odometer reading. The signed and printed names of the appropriate buyers and sellers are required.
Double-check the information before completing the purchase. Errors, missing signatures, or incomplete information can complicate the title transfer.
If you are unsure whether your title has been completed correctly, bring it to West Suburban Currency Exchanges. Our staff can review the documents needed for the transaction and help you determine the next step.
Do I Need a Bill of Sale to Transfer a Car Title in Illinois?
The paperwork you need depends partly on where you purchased the vehicle.
For a standard private-party transfer, the properly assigned original title is one of the key ownership documents. Different requirements can apply to dealer purchases, out-of-state vehicles, inherited vehicles, and other situations.
For example, the Illinois Secretary of State requires a bill of sale and RUT-25 tax form for certain vehicles recently purchased from an out-of-state dealer. A private-party purchase generally uses Form RUT-50 instead.
Because title situations vary, it is helpful to check the requirements for your specific transaction rather than assuming every vehicle transfer requires identical paperwork.
Do I Have to Pay Tax When Transferring a Car Title?
In many cases, yes.
Illinois requires tax to be paid on vehicle sales between individuals. For private-party transactions, the amount can depend on factors such as the vehicle’s model year or selling price. Form RUT-50 is used for applicable private-party vehicle tax transactions.
Taxes can also apply when a vehicle is given to you by a relative. The Illinois Secretary of State states that the RUT-50 must still be completed and submitted in these situations.
Do not assume that a vehicle transfer is tax-free simply because no traditional sale took place.
How Much Does It Cost to Transfer a Car Title in Illinois?
The standard Illinois Certificate of Title fee is currently $165. If you are transferring existing Illinois license plates you own to the newly acquired vehicle, additional fees apply. The Illinois Secretary of State currently lists the title-and-transfer fee as $190, consisting of the $165 title fee and $25 plate transfer fee. Taxes and other fees may also apply.
Your total cost therefore depends on the transaction. The amount you pay may include the title fee, registration or plate-related fees, applicable vehicle tax, and service fees.
At WSCE, our staff can calculate the applicable fees and taxes for the transaction when you visit.
Can I Transfer My Old License Plates to My New Car?
If you already have Illinois license plates, you may be able to transfer them to another vehicle you own.
Illinois license plates belong to the owner rather than the vehicle. This means you generally cannot give your plates to the person who buys your old car. Instead, eligible plates can be transferred to another vehicle owned by the same person.
If you are transferring your existing plates, make sure you have the information associated with your current registration. Additional paperwork may be necessary when ownership information changes.
WSCE can help with both Illinois title transfers and vehicle registration, making it easier to complete multiple parts of the process in one visit.
What If the Car Has an Out-of-State Title?
You can still apply for an Illinois title when your vehicle currently has a title from another state.
The required paperwork will depend on how you acquired the vehicle. An original out-of-state title is generally required. If you recently purchased the vehicle from an individual, you may need Form RUT-50. A vehicle purchased from an out-of-state dealer generally requires Form RUT-25 and supporting documentation such as a bill of sale.
WSCE also handles eligible out-of-state title transfers. Bring the original out-of-state title and proof of Illinois insurance, along with any other documents related to the transaction.
What If the Original Title Is Lost?
A missing title can change the process considerably.
If you are the current owner and your Illinois title has been lost, stolen, or mutilated, you may need to apply for a duplicate title before certain transactions can be completed.
Do not try to work around a missing title by relying only on a handwritten bill of sale. The correct process depends on who owns the vehicle and why the title is unavailable.
Are All Illinois Title Transfers the Same?
No. A straightforward private-party sale is only one type of vehicle title transfer.
Additional requirements may apply when:
- The vehicle comes from another state
- A lien is recorded on the vehicle
- The vehicle owner has died
- The vehicle is inherited
- Ownership is being added or removed
- The original title is missing
- The vehicle was purchased from a dealer
For example, transferring a vehicle after an owner’s death can require a death certificate, estate documents, affidavits, or other supporting paperwork depending on how the vehicle was owned and whether the estate is being probated.
Where Can I Transfer a Car Title in Illinois?
Illinois vehicle title transactions can be handled through the Illinois Secretary of State. The state also licenses agents that can process eligible vehicle transactions.
West Suburban Currency Exchanges provides car title transfer services in Illinois at our locations throughout western Chicagoland. WSCE has been serving Illinois customers since 1942, and our experienced staff can review your documents, help with required paperwork, and process eligible title and registration transactions. No appointment is needed.
This can be especially convenient when you have just purchased a used vehicle and want help making sure the paperwork is completed correctly.
Transfer Your Illinois Car Title at West Suburban Currency Exchanges
Knowing what you need to transfer a car title in Illinois can make the process much easier. For a typical private-party purchase, start with the properly assigned original title, valid identification, proof of Illinois insurance, and payment for the applicable taxes and fees. Your specific situation may require additional forms or supporting documents.
Instead of trying to navigate the paperwork on your own, visit West Suburban Currency Exchanges. Our knowledgeable staff can help you complete your Illinois car title transfer and other eligible vehicle transactions at a convenient neighborhood location.
Find your nearest West Suburban Currency Exchanges location and stop in today for help with your Illinois title transfer. No appointment is needed.