Illinois — quick answer
In Illinois, a bill of sale is recommended for a private vehicle sale and notarization is not required. No witnesses are required. The relevant state form is RUT-50. Ownership is transferred through the Illinois SOS via the assigned title.
Illinois's rules can vary by county or transaction. We've based this on official sources, but please confirm the exact requirement with the Illinois SOS before you sign.
Is a bill of sale required in Illinois?
Recommended. There is no official state bill of sale form; the assigned title transfers ownership and a tax form reports the sale.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer files the title application and RUT-50 use tax with the Secretary of State.
Does a Illinois bill of sale need to be notarized?
Not required. No notarization required.
Witness requirements
No. Illinois does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
How to transfer a vehicle title in Illinois
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Fill in the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Both parties sign and date the document.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer files the title application and RUT-50 use tax with the Secretary of State.
- 3Register with the Illinois SOS.
The buyer titles and registers the vehicle, bringing Private Party Vehicle Use Tax (RUT-50) (RUT-50). Confirm the current fees and documents on the official Illinois SOS page.
Official Illinois sources
- Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services — buying & selling a vehicle
- NHTSA — federal odometer disclosure rule
We link to primary government sources and review this page regularly, but requirements change. This is general information, not legal advice.
Illinois bill of sale by type
Get requirements and a free template tailored to Illinois for each item type — the generator applies the Illinois notary and witness rules automatically:
Illinois bill of sale — FAQ
Is a bill of sale required in Illinois?
In Illinois, a separate bill of sale is recommended. There is no official state bill of sale form; the assigned title transfers ownership and a tax form reports the sale.
Does a Illinois bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. No notarization required.
Do I need a witness for a bill of sale in Illinois?
No. Illinois does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
How do I transfer a vehicle title in Illinois?
Seller assigns the title; the buyer files the title application and RUT-50 use tax with the Secretary of State. Titling and registration in Illinois are handled by the Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.