Accident
If my vehicle was involved in an accident and my insurance company has paid a total loss, can I keep my vehicle?
If the vehicle is nine model years of age or older, the insurance company may, by agreement, let the registered owner keep the vehicle. Otherwise, the insurance company owns the vehicle.
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Circuit Breaker
Do I qualify for a discount on my registration under Circuit Breaker provisions?
For information on the Circuit Breaker program, visit the Illinois Department of Aging website.
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Payment
Can I renew my registration using a credit card?
Yes, renewals containing completely correct information can be processed through the touch-tone phone system by calling 1-866-545-9609 using a valid Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover credit card. You may also renew by using the License Plate Renewal link on our homepage. Online renewals will accept a valid Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover or Diners Club credit card as well as a personal check (e-check).
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Registration Renewal
I didn't receive a pre-printed license plate renewal form. How can I renew my license plates?
The license plate registration renewal notice is sent out as a courtesy reminder, and it is the driver's responsibility to ensure that their annual license plate sticker is current. Pre-printed license plate renewal forms are sent as a courtesy reminder to motorists and are not required to renew your license plates. You may visit your local Secretary of State facility to renew your license plates or submit a letter with your name, address, license plate number and a check payable to the Secretary of State for the correct renewal amount to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd. St., Room 011
Springfield, IL 62756-6666.
How can I change my address on the vehicle registration?
Submit a letter indicating your license plate number, name, old address and new address to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Records Processing Division
501 S. 2nd St., Room 624
Springfield, IL 62756
You may use the online Address Change Form to transmit notification of the name or address changes to the Vehicle Services Department. There is no fee to change an address unless a corrected registration identification card is requested, which costs $3.00.
My pre-printed renewal form has the wrong vehicle information. How do I renew the registration?
Line out incorrect vehicle information on the application and write in the correct information. Then attach a copy of the transfer ID and mail to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd St., Room 011
Springfield, IL 62756-6666.
You may also go to your nearest Secretary of State facility.
My registration record is in error. How do I correct it?
Write to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd. St., Room 011
Springfield, IL 62756
You may also call 217-785-8720.
I mailed my registration fee but my sticker has not yet arrived. What should I do?
It is important to allow a minimum of 30 days for processing of your registration renewal after mailing. All renewal applications received by this office are prioritized and processed in expiration date order. For example, if your registration sticker expires the last day of April and you mailed your renewal form and fee in February, priority will still be given to March expirations. Processing time may therefore take longer than the 30 days. Normally, all renewal stickers for registrations expiring at the end of a month are mailed out by the 22nd.
If you do not receive your renewal sticker prior to the last week of its expiration, telephone this office at 1-800-252-8980 to inquire about the status.
My registration sticker is expired. How can I renew and get a sticker fast?
Go to a participating financial institution, currency exchange or your nearest Secretary of State facility for same-day service.
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Replacements
How do I apply for replacement license plates/sticker?
Submit an Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190) available at your local Secretary of State facility to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd. St., Room 011
Springfield, IL 62756-6666
You may also visit your nearest Secretary of State facility. For replacement fees, refer to the basic fees page.
How do I apply for a duplicate registration card?
Submit an Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190) to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd. St., Room 011
Springfield, IL 62756-6666.
You may also visit your nearest Secretary of State facility. For duplicate fees, refer to the basic fees page.
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Sales Tax
Is an individual required to pay sales tax when either purchasing a vehicle or being given a vehicle from a relative?
Yes, the RUT-50 sales tax form must be completed and submitted with the title and/or registration application. The RUT-50 sales tax form is available at your local Secretary of State Facility. For applicable tax amounts, contact the Illinois Department of Revenue at (800) 732-8866.
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Titles
How do I apply for license plates?
You must submit a copy of the Illinois Certificate of Title for the vehicle in your name along with a completed Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190) to the Secretary of State. The fee is determined by license plate category or by the weight of the vehicle. Submit documents to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Records Processing Division
501 S. 2nd. St., Room 424
Springfield, IL 62756-6666
Or go to your nearest Secretary of State facility.
What type of vehicle must be titled and registered?
Off-road motorcycles and ATVs are titled but are not registered.
Pop-up campers and all other kinds of campers that are pulled behind a vehicle are both titled and registered. Slide-in campers or pop-up campers that are affixed to the vehicle or part of the vehicle are neither titled or registered. Anything that is driven (cars, trucks, RV's, motorcycles, mopeds, motorized bicycles) or anything that is pulled (RT's, pop-ups, 5th wheels, trailers of all kinds and sizes) on the roads is titled and licensed.
Snowmobiles, jet-skis, boats less than 16 feet, and boats over 16 feet are handled by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. They can be contacted at (217) 782-2138.
How do I register a vehicle that already has an Illinois title?
If you register within six months of the original sale date, you must title and register the vehicle and pay tax starting from the sale date. For example, if the vehicle was purchased on September 1 and title and registered on October 30, you receive a September expiration sticker.
If you register at least six months after the date of purchase, the expiration sticker you would receive would be the day you registered. For example, if the vehicle was purchased September 1 and you titled and registered it on April 15, you would receive an April expiration sticker.
If a titled vehicle has been stored for one year or more, the vehicle's expiration sticker is the month you registered it. For example, if the vehicle was stored in February 2004 and removed from storage in March 2005, the renewal sticker would expire in March of the next year.
Can an individual pick up the title in Springfield?
No. Illinois law requires that the title be mailed to the first lienholder named in the title, or if none, to the owner.
What do I need to apply for a certificate of title for my vehicle?
You need a title application, $65 title fee, applicable tax form, and a surrendered title or manufacturer's certificate of origin signed to you by the seller. Other supporting documents may be required by this Office. More information on applying for title and registration.
How do I apply for a duplicate or lost vehicle title?
A $65 fee ann Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190) marked "duplicate title" must be submitted stating the reason for the duplicate title request. The original title must have been lost, stolen or mutilated. The application should indicate the exact vehicle identification number and the last license plate number.
How much does a certificate of title cost?
An original, duplicate or corrected title is $65. A salvage certificate is $4. A junking certificate is issued at no cost.
If I want to remove a name from the title due to divorce or death, how do I get title in my name?
You must fill out an Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190) and mark "corrected title." To remove a name due to divorce, an affirmation from the individual releasing interest in the vehicle and license plate or a complete copy of the divorce decree awarding the vehicle must be submitted with the application for title and/or registration.
To remove a name due to a deceased owner, a certified copy of the death certificate must be submitted along with the Application for Vehicle Title and Registration. If the estate is being probated, a certified copy of letters of administration or court order must be submitted with the application. More information concerning Corrected Titles and the Deceased.
Detailed questions regarding estates may be directed to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Records Processing Division
501 S. 2nd. St., Room 424
Springfield, IL 62756-6666.
When I am selling my vehicle to another individual, do I have to have my title?
Yes, the certificate of title must be signed in the Assignment of Title area to the individual purchasing the vehicle. Federal and state law requires that the title indicate the signed and printed names of all the sellers and buyers, certifying the odometer reading as the actual mileage on the vehicle's odometer, in excess of the odometer's mechanical limitations or not the actual mileage.
A vehicle was left on my property and I do not know the owner. Can I get title in my name?
No, you must contact your local law enforcement or a towing company to remove the vehicle.
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