How to Register a Car in Illinois

Registering a New Car

Apply for registration within 20 days of your purchase. Whenever you purchase a new car, Illinois law states that you must register it with the Secretary of State Office within 20 days of the purchase. Begin the process as soon as you buy the car to avoid missing this deadline. This 20-day rule also applies to cars you inherit or receive as a gift.

Have the dealership send the car title and Odometer Statement to the state. The documents required for car registration in Illinois are the car title, Odometer Disclosure Statement, and proof of insurance. If you’ve bought your car from a licensed dealer, they can handle sending the title and Odometer Statement to the Secretary of State. You would then just have to submit the registration application, proof of insurance, and necessary fees to the Secretary of State Office. If you’ve received your car as a gift or inheritance, or purchased it from a private seller, you are responsible for obtaining and submitting these documents.

Complete the Odometer Statement if you buy from a private seller. If you purchase a car from a dealership, the dealer will send this document to the state. If you buy the care from a private seller, Illinois law requires both you and the previous owner to sign this document displaying the mileage on the car at the time of the sale. On this sheet, the seller will fill out the vehicle make, model, year, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and mileage. You will then both sign and date the form. Submit this form when you register your car. You can find this document at https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/vsd333.pdf.

Obtain auto insurance for your car. Before you can register your car, it must be insured. If you already have car insurance, contact your insurance company and follow their procedures for adding the vehicle to your insurance. Otherwise, you’ll have to find an insurance company and get insurance. Some dealers offer recommendations on insurance companies that they work with. If you sign up for insurance when you buy the car, the dealer can send the proof of insurance along with the Odometer Statement. For assistance finding an insurer in Illinois, visit https://www.buyautoinsurance.com/do-you-need-insurance-before-you-buy-your-car/.

Fill out the electronic Application for Vehicle Transaction (VSD 190) form. This form officially transfers the vehicle title to you and makes you the owner of the car. The form is available at the Secretary of State Office so you can fill it out then if you submit the other materials in person. If you prefer, you can also fill out the form online. In this case, print the confirmation you receive and submit it to the Secretary of State Office. If you do fill out the application online, you must submit all the materials to the Secretary of State within 7 days of completing the application. You can find the application by making an account at https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/vehicles/title_and_registration/pert.html.

Get tax form RUT-50 from the Secretary of State Office. When you purchase a car, you owe a certain amount of taxes based on the car’s value. These fees range from $25 to $390. This form is only available at the Secretary of State Office. Pick one up and mail it in with your other materials, or complete it when you drop your materials off in person. Then submit this form, along with the payment, to the Secretary of State. For a sample of the RUT-50 form, visit https://www2.illinois.gov/rev/forms/sales/Documents/vehicleusetax/RUT-5.pdf.

Get a check or money order for the vehicle registration and title fees. When you submit the documentation for registration, you also have to submit the necessary payments. The two fees are the vehicle registration and title fee. Pay them at the time of registration. The fee for car registration is $101, or $114 if the car has vanity plates. The title fee is $50.

Submit the documents to the Secretary of State by mail or in person. You can either appear in person to submit the paperwork or mail the documents in. In both cases, you must submit the vehicle title, the Application for Vehicle Transaction form, the Odometer Disclosure Statement, the proof of insurance, the tax documents, and the necessary fees. To appear in person, find the nearest Secretary of State Office to your home. Mail the documents to Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department, ERT Section, Rm 424, 501 S. 2nd St, Springfield, IL, 62756. If you mail your application, send it registered mail so you will get a confirmation when the state office receives it.

Pick up your license plates. When your registration is complete, you will be issued Illinois state license plates. The Secretary of State Office may issue these plates on the spot if they have them, or they make direct you to another building. If they don't have plates on location, the plates will be mailed to you and you'll be issued temporary plates until they arrive.Install the plates on your car when you get home. If you have personalized plates, it takes 60 to 90 days to receive them. In this case, the state office will give you temporary plates.

Transferring a Car to Illinois

Apply for registration within 30 days of moving to Illinois. Illinois law states that if you move to Illinois from elsewhere and bring a vehicle with you, you must register it in the state within 30 days of your arrival. Keep track of the date so you don’t miss this deadline.

Find your local Secretary of State Office. If you’ve moved to Illinois from elsewhere, you must submit all the necessary forms in person at the Secretary of State Office.

Fill out the electronic Application for Vehicle Transaction (VSD 190) form. This form applies for vehicle registration in Illinois. The form is available at the Secretary of State Office so you can fill it out when you submit the other materials. If you prefer, you can also fill out the form online. In this case, print the confirmation and submit it to the Secretary of State Office. If you do fill out the application online, you must submit all the other materials to the Secretary of State within 7 days of completing the application. You can find the application by making an account at https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/vehicles/title_and_registration/pert.html.

Bring the necessary documents to the Secretary of State Office. To register your car, you must submit the Application for Vehicle Transaction form, proof of your Illinois residency, the car’s original title and registration, and a description of the car. Remember that you must appear in person. Mailing the documents is not an option if you’ve moved to Illinois. The description should include year, make, and model, the Vehicle identification number (VIN), the date of purchase, and whether it's new or used.

Fill out the required tax form. You’ll need one of two tax documents with your registration, depending on where you purchased the vehicle. If you bought the car from a private dealer, fill out RUT-50. If you bought the car from a dealership, fill out RUT-25. Both forms are available at the Secretary of State Office. Depending on the year and value of your car, you’ll have to pay a tax fee between $25 to $390.

Pay the registration and title fees. When you submit the documentation for registration, you also have to submit the necessary payments. The two fees are the vehicle registration and title fee. Pay them at the time of registration. The fee for car registration is $101, or $114 if the car has vanity plates. The title fee is $50.

Pick up your license plates. When your registration is complete, you will be issued Illinois state license plates. They may be in the same building, or the clerks may instruct you to travel to another building to get them. Take these home and install them on your car. If you have personalized plates, it takes 60 to 90 days to receive them. In this case, the state office will give you temporary plates.