Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Illinois? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Illinois transfers ownership through the signed title and the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (Form VSD 190) filed with the Secretary of State, but a bill of sale protects both sides: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tickets, tolls, or accidents once the keys change hands. It also documents the price for your Private Party Vehicle Use Tax return (Form RUT-50).
Illinois requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Illinois?
Not by statute. Ownership transfers through the signed title and the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (Form VSD 190) at the Secretary of State. But a bill of sale is strongly recommended — it proves the price and sale date, supports your RUT-50 tax return, and shows you're no longer liable for the vehicle.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. Illinois does not require a motor vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. You can notarize it voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must deliver the assigned title to the Secretary of State within 20 days of receiving the vehicle. The Private Party Vehicle Use Tax return (Form RUT-50) is due within 30 days of the purchase. Filing late can add penalties and interest.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Illinois charges a Private Party Vehicle Use Tax on used cars bought from an individual, reported on Form RUT-50. It's a flat amount set by the vehicle's purchase price or age — not a simple percentage — so check the current Department of Revenue chart (RUT-5). Motorcycles and ATVs are a flat $25, and qualifying family transfers are a flat $15.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires the odometer reading at the time of sale for vehicles under 20 model years old. Record it on both the bill of sale and the title.
How to fill it out
- 1
Enter the sale date and the Illinois county where the sale takes place.
- 2
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
- 3
Describe the vehicle — make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
- 4
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
- 5
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
- 6
Both parties sign — then the buyer files Form VSD 190 with the Secretary of State within 20 days.
Ready to create your Illinois bill of sale?
Fill the form, watch it build live, and download the PDF — free, no signup.
Open the free builderWhat to include
- Seller & buyer names and addresses
- Make, model, year, color & VIN
- Odometer reading + federal disclosure
- Purchase price & sales-tax note
- “As-is” statement or warranty terms
- Date of sale and signatures
Illinois bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Illinoisbuilder works for more than cars — pick your vehicle and the form adapts: the right ID number (a VIN, a boat's HIN, or a serial number) and an odometer reading only where one applies.
- Car bill of sale
- Truck bill of sale
- SUV bill of sale
- Van bill of sale
- Motorcycle bill of sale
- ATV bill of sale
- RV bill of sale
- Camper bill of sale
- Trailer bill of sale
- Boat bill of sale
- Jet Ski bill of sale
- Snowmobile bill of sale
- Golf Cart bill of sale
- Tractor bill of sale
A few differ: boats and jet skis use a Hull ID Number (HIN) instead of a VIN and have no odometer; trailers, campers, snowmobiles, golf carts, and tractors have no odometer either; and boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles often register with a different agency (such as a wildlife, boating, or parks department) rather than the Illinois Secretary of State (vehicle services facility). Confirm the details with the Illinois Secretary of State (vehicle services facility).
Illinois bill of sale FAQ
Does an Illinois motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Illinois does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (Form VSD 190) at the Secretary of State — notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Illinois?
It isn't legally required to transfer the title (the signed title and Form VSD 190 handle that), but it's strongly recommended. It proves the price, supports your RUT-50 tax return, and shows you're no longer responsible for the vehicle after the sale.
Where do I transfer the title in Illinois?
At a Secretary of State vehicle services facility — not a county office. The buyer submits the signed title, a completed Form VSD 190, the RUT-50 tax form, proof of insurance, and payment for the title fee and tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Illinois?
The buyer must deliver the assigned title to the Secretary of State within 20 days of getting the vehicle, and file the RUT-50 use tax return within 30 days of purchase. Filing late can add penalties and interest, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Illinois?
For a private-party used car, Illinois charges a Private Party Vehicle Use Tax (Form RUT-50) — a flat amount based on the purchase price or the vehicle's age rather than a straight percentage. Check the current Department of Revenue chart; this is why an accurate sale price on your bill of sale matters.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?
Yes. Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale, and each keeps a copy. If there are two buyers or two sellers, every party signs.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in Illinois?
Yes — Illinois doesn't mandate a specific form, so a handwritten bill of sale is valid as long as it has the key details. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the Secretary of State.
Is this Illinois bill of sale really free?
Yes — completely. Fill it in, preview it live, and download the PDF with no signup, no credit card, and no watermark. Unlike sites that charge a fee or push a subscription to download, there's nothing to pay here.