Illinois Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Illinois costs $165 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,166 in total, with $850 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Illinois title fees
These are the title-related fees in Illinois's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $165 |
|---|---|
| Duplicate title | $50 |
| Plates 2 | $29 |
| Motorcycle plate | $41 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Illinois
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Illinois car tax calculator:
| Title | $165 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $850 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $151 |
| Estimated total | $1,166 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Illinois charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: plates 2 $29; motorcycle plate $41.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Family transfer: spouse, parent, sibling or child | State tax $15 (grandparents and other relatives do not qualify) |
|---|---|
| Estate to surviving spouse | State tax $0 |
Inherited vehicles
| Estate to surviving spouse | State tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Estate to other beneficiary | State tax $15 plus local exception amounts |
Other cases that change the cost in Illinois
| Private-party sale | Uses the flat chart, never the 6.25% rate; no trade-in credit |
|---|---|
| New resident who used vehicle out of state 3+ months | Tax $0 (return still filed); not available to military with Illinois home of record |
| Dealer doc fee | Included in the taxable price |
How Illinois works out what you owe
- Dealer: taxable base = price + doc fee - trade-in; tax = base x combined rate
- Private party: tax from chart (Table A by vehicle age if price under $15,000; Table B by price bracket if $15,000+) + Chicago/Cook County amounts if applicable
- Total = tax + title + registration (+ doc fee for dealer sales)
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Illinois: tax.illinois.gov, www.ilsos.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Illinois?
The title fee is $165. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,166.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Illinois?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Illinois charges about $850. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Illinois?
Yes. Plates 2: $29; Motorcycle plate: $41.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Illinois?
Family transfer: spouse, parent, sibling or child: State tax $15 (grandparents and other relatives do not qualify). Estate to surviving spouse: State tax $0.
What happens to a car title after a death in Illinois?
Estate to surviving spouse: State tax $0. Estate to other beneficiary: State tax $15 plus local exception amounts.