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The bottom line: Illinois doesn’t require title notarization, but you do need to file a Seller’s Report of Sale (Form VSD 703) immediately after the sale to protect yourself from future liability.
Sign the back of the title, remove your plates, and mail or hand off your VSD 703 report. The buyer handles registration and taxes after that.
Key Takeaways
- Title notarization: Illinois does not require it. Just sign in blue or black ink, exactly as your name appears on the front of the title.
- Missing title: A replacement costs $50.00 and can be applied for online through the Illinois Secretary of State. Processing typically takes 15 business days.
- Buyer deadline: The buyer has 20 days to register the car with the Illinois Secretary of State.
- License plates: They stay with you, not the car. Remove them before the buyer drives away.
- Release of liability: Illinois requires you to file Form VSD 703 (Seller’s Report of Sale) immediately after the sale to avoid being held responsible for the vehicle.
- Bill of sale: Not legally required in Illinois for titled vehicles, but it’s a smart protection for both parties.
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Step-by-Step Process for Illinois
Step 1: Prepare Your Illinois Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Valid Illinois driver’s license – Name must match the title exactly
- Lien release documentation – If you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need to get a replacement first. Apply online through the Illinois Secretary of State or visit a Secretary of State facility in person. Bring your valid ID and the $50.00 duplicate title fee. Processing typically takes about 15 business days.
If you still owe money on the car:
Your lender needs to release the lien before you can transfer the title. Illinois lenders either sign off on the back of the title or provide a separate lien release letter. Contact your lender early to understand their process. If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car?
Name matching requirement:
Check your title carefully. The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the title exactly. If you’ve changed your name, bring documentation showing the name change.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Clean your car inside and out, gather maintenance records, and run a VIN check to get the best price and build buyer confidence.
Learn more:
Step 3: Price Your Car
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
Step 4: Advertise Your Car
Facebook Marketplace works best in Illinois, especially in Chicago, Aurora, and Rockford where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states like Indiana and Wisconsin.
Illinois has no statewide emissions requirement before selling, so you won’t need to worry about passing a test before listing your car. Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, and Carvana will give you competitive offers if you have a newer car.
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Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
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Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at bank), or meet at the buyer’s bank for wire transfer.
Learn more:
Step 7: Complete the Illinois Title Transfer
The assignment section is on the back of the Illinois title. Both you and the buyer fill out your sections before the car changes hands.
As the seller, you fill in:
- Buyer’s full legal name – No nicknames, exactly as it appears on their ID
- Buyer’s complete address – City, state, and ZIP code
- Sale price – The actual amount paid. False information is illegal.
- Date of sale – The date ownership transfers
- Odometer reading – Required for 2011 and newer vehicles under 16,000 lbs. You can record this on the title itself or on Form VSD 333.4 if there’s no room on the title.
- Your signature – Sign exactly as your name appears on the front of the title
Title rules to follow:
- Use only black or blue ink
- Write clearly and legibly
- No corrections, cross-outs, or white-out allowed
- Any mistake requires a new $50.00 duplicate title
Multiple owners on the title:
If names are joined by “AND,” all owners must sign. If joined by “OR,” only one signature is needed. The buyer has 20 days to take the title to a Secretary of State facility and register in their name.
Learn more: What is Odometer Disclosure Statement? (Each State Guide)
Step 8: Sign Bill of Sale (Recommended)
A bill of sale isn’t required by state law in Illinois for titled vehicles. It’s still smart protection for you.
It doesn’t need to be notarized. You can use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 9: Handle Illinois License Plates and Registration
Remove your license plates before the buyer drives away. In Illinois, plates belong to you (the owner), not the car.
You can transfer your plates to another vehicle you own for $25, or destroy them. The buyer gets new plates when they register the car.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Submit the Release of Liability
Download and submit VSD 703 (Seller’s Report of Sale) to the Illinois Secretary of State after you sell the car. You must do this immediately after the sale.
There are two ways to file. You can mail the standalone VSD 703 form to the Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department, or detach the Notice of Sale section at the bottom of your title and mail that in instead. Both options are free.
This creates a paper trail showing you’re no longer responsible for the vehicle. Without it, you could be on the hook if the buyer gets tickets, abandons the car, or has an accident before registering it in their name.
Step 11: Cancel Insurance
Cancel your insurance only after the title transfer is complete.
Learn more: When to Cancel Car Insurance After Selling a Car?
Illinois Secretary of State Resources
State Resources:
Phone Support:
- Toll-free (Illinois): (800) 252-8980
- Chicago area: (312) 793-1010
- Springfield area: (217) 782-6306
You can also find every state’s DMV contact info in our list of DMV websites by state.
Illinois Fees and Costs
| What You Pay? | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $50.00 | Before sale |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Seller’s Report of Sale (VSD 703) | $0 | Immediately after sale |
| License plate transfer to another vehicle | $25 | If desired |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title after we complete the sale?
The buyer has 20 days to register the vehicle with the Illinois Secretary of State. If that deadline falls on a weekend or state holiday, the next business day counts.
If they miss the 20-day window, they’ll face late fees when they do register. That’s their responsibility, but your VSD 703 filing protects you from liability in the meantime.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in Illinois?
No, Illinois doesn’t require title notarization. The title assignment itself never needs a notary. Just sign clearly in blue or black ink, exactly as your name appears on the front of the title.
When is a bill of sale required in Illinois?
A bill of sale isn’t legally required in Illinois for titled vehicle sales. For regular private sales, it’s recommended but not required.
It doesn’t need to be notarized. Even though it’s optional, having one protects you if there’s a dispute about the sale price, condition, or date of transfer.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in Illinois?
Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender. In Illinois, your lender either signs off on the back of the title to release the lien, or provides a separate lien release letter that you hand to the buyer along with the title.
Some lenders will meet at the sale to handle the paperwork on the spot. If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
My car was inherited. What additional Illinois forms do I need?
If the estate went through probate, you’ll need Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary from the court, along with Form VSD 190 to apply for a new title in your name before you can sell.
For smaller estates that didn’t go through probate, Illinois allows a Small Estate Affidavit to establish ownership. Visit your local Secretary of State facility to confirm which documents apply to your situation before listing the car.
Both my spouse and I are on the Illinois title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on how the names are listed. If your names are joined by “AND,” both of you must sign the title assignment. If joined by “OR,” only one signature is needed.
What if I make a mistake on the Illinois title?
Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. Any corrections on an Illinois title void the document. You’ll need to apply for a duplicate title using Form VSD 190, pay the $50.00 fee, and start fresh.
The buyer is from out of state. Does Illinois require anything special?
Your obligations as the seller are the same regardless of where the buyer lives. Sign the title, file your VSD 703, and remove your plates.
The buyer may face extra steps on their end, like a VIN inspection required by their home state when they go to register. That’s their responsibility to handle.
Do Illinois license plates transfer to the buyer?
No, Illinois license plates stay with you (the seller). Remove them before the buyer leaves. You can transfer them to another vehicle you own for $25, or destroy them. The buyer gets new plates when they register the car.
Do I need to file a release of liability after selling my car in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois requires you to file Form VSD 703 (Seller’s Report of Sale) immediately after the sale. You can download the form and mail it to the Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department at 501 S. Second St., Rm. 408, Springfield, IL 62756, or use the detachable Notice of Sale section at the bottom of your title instead.
Filing is free and takes only a few minutes. Without it, you could be responsible if the buyer gets tickets, abandons the car, or has an accident before registering it in their name.
Article Update History
All fees, forms, and filing requirements in this article were verified against the Illinois Secretary of State's official records.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.