Car title · Illinois
Transfer a car title after death in Illinois
How to retitle a vehicle when the registered owner has died, with the right forms and the typical fee in Illinois.
In Illinois, a vehicle title transfer after death is handled by the Illinois Secretary of State using Form VSD 190 + Small Estate Affidavit. Bring the original title, a certified death certificate, and either letters from probate or a small estate affidavit (estates under $100,000). The typical fee is about $23, and family transfers are usually exempt from sales tax.
Quick facts
| Agency | Illinois Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Typical form | Form VSD 190 + Small Estate Affidavit |
| Typical fee | $23 |
| TOD registration | Yes — beneficiary can retitle without probate |
| Probate often required above | $100,000 |
| Average turnaround | 2 to 4 weeks |
Fees and forms change. Verify with the Illinois Secretary of State before filing.
How to transfer without probate in Illinois
Most families in Illinois never file a probate case for the car. Three shortcuts skip the courthouse entirely:
- Joint title with survivorship. If the deceased co-owned the vehicle, the survivor shows a certified death certificate at the Illinois Secretary of State and the title is retitled in a single visit.
- Transfer-on-death beneficiary. Illinois recognizes TOD vehicle registrations. If the owner named a beneficiary on the title, that person brings the death certificate and existing title to the Illinois Secretary of State — no court, no affidavit.
- Small estate affidavit. If the entire estate (not just the car) is under $100,000, the heir signs an affidavit and files it with Form VSD 190 + Small Estate Affidavit at the Illinois Secretary of State.
When none of these fit — the car is titled solely in the decedent's name and the estate is above the threshold — you'll need letters testamentary from the probate court before the Illinois Secretary of State will retitle the vehicle.
Step by step
Gather documents
Original title, certified death certificate, photo ID, and either letters testamentary from the probate court or a small estate affidavit if the estate qualifies in Illinois.
Decide the transfer path
Illinois allows four paths: surviving joint owner, transfer-on-death beneficiary if recorded, small estate affidavit if the estate is under $100,000, or letters testamentary from probate. Pick the one that matches the title.
Complete the Illinois Secretary of State paperwork
In Illinois the typical filing is Form VSD 190 + Small Estate Affidavit. Forms are free from the Illinois Secretary of State website; most can be signed at home and notarized where required.
Pay the fee
Title transfer in Illinois costs roughly $23. Sales tax is typically waived for transfers to immediate family.
Submit and receive the new title
Submit in person or by mail. New titles usually arrive within a few weeks.
Document checklist for Illinois
Gather these before you visit the Illinois Secretary of State. Missing one item is the most common reason a title transfer gets rejected at the counter.
- Original vehicle title. Signed on the back by the executor or heir. If lost, apply for a duplicate at the Illinois Secretary of State first.
- Certified death certificate. One certified copy with the raised seal. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Form VSD 190 + Small Estate Affidavit. The core Illinois transfer form. Free from the Illinois Secretary of State website; notarize where the form requires it.
- Photo ID of the new owner. Driver license or state ID. Must match the name that will appear on the new title.
- Proof of authority. Either letters testamentary from the probate court or a small estate affidavit (for estates under $100,000 in Illinois).
- Current registration and odometer reading. Bring the last registration card; some counties record the odometer at transfer.
- Payment for the $23 title fee. Family transfers are usually exempt from sales tax; bring proof of relationship if asked.
In short
In Illinois, bring the original title, a certified death certificate, Form VSD 190 + Small Estate Affidavit, photo ID, and either letters testamentary or a small estate affidavit. Budget about $23 for the Illinois Secretary of State fee — family transfers are typically exempt from sales tax.
Common questions
Do I need probate to transfer a car in Illinois?
Not always. Illinois accepts a small estate affidavit for estates under $100,000, joint titles transfer automatically to the surviving owner, and Illinois also recognizes transfer-on-death vehicle registrations.
Which form does the Illinois Secretary of State use?
The typical filing in Illinois is Form VSD 190 + Small Estate Affidavit. Combine it with the original title, a certified death certificate, and photo ID.
What does it cost?
Title transfer at the Illinois Secretary of State costs roughly $23. Family transfers are usually exempt from sales tax.
What if the title is lost?
Apply for a duplicate title at the Illinois Secretary of State before transferring. Most agencies issue duplicates within a few weeks.
Can I sell the car before transferring?
Not directly. Title must be transferred to the estate or heir first; the new title-holder can then sell.