How to Register Your Out Of State Car in Illinois?

Whether you’ve just moved to Illinois from another state with your trusty car or have just purchased a brand new car while living and working in Illinois, registering your car with the state of Illinois is an important task. Before you can legally drive your vehicle, it must be registered. Whether you’re transferring your title from another state or are registering a new car, the process will require submitting applications, payment, and forms to the Illinois Secretary of State office. Look over both methods below and follow the steps that are correct for your situation. 

 

Method One: Registering Your Out-of-State Car in Illinois

 

Step 1: Follow the 20 Day Rule 

Under Illinois law, you must apply for registration whenever you purchase a new automobile within 20 days of your purchase. This rule applies to vehicles that you inherit or receive as a gift. It is important that you begin the process as quickly as possible to avoid missing the deadline.

 

Step 2: Request Odometer Statement and Title from the Dealership 

In order to register your vehicle, you’ll need to provide a few documents. The vehicle’s title shows proof of ownership of the vehicle, while the odometer statement shows how many miles have been placed on the car prior to your purchase of it. If you’ve purchased your automobile from a licensed dealer, they can submit the title and odometer statement to the Secretary of State’s office on your behalf. 

If you received your car as inheritance or a gift or purchased it from a private seller, you will be fully responsible for obtaining these documents in a timely manner and delivering them with other paperwork to the Secretary of State. For the odometer statement specifically, the state of Illinois requires both you and the previous owner to sign and date the document. This document will also include the vehicle’s make, model, year, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), besides the milage. 

 

Step 3: Get Insurance for Your Car In the state of Illinois

It is required by law that you have a minimum auto insurance plan on your vehicle before it can be registered and allowed to drive on public roads. If you already have car insurance, contact your provider and follow their procedures to add your new vehicle to your existing auto insurance policy. 

If not, you will need to shop for a new auto insurance policy. Some dealerships have partnerships with insurance companies and will help you sign up for insurance when you purchase the car. In this case, the dealership can send your proof of insurance along to the Secretary of State with the title and odometer statement. If this plan doesn’t seem right for you, you will need to shop around for a plan that does fit. Make sure to research the minimum auto insurance required in Illinois and check that your plan meets these requirements. 

 

Step 4: Complete Application for Vehicle Transaction Form (VSD 190)

This form will officially transfer the vehicle title into your name and make you the car’s owner. You can complete it in person at the secretary of state office when you submit the other materials in person, or you can print the form at home and submit it to the Secretary of State’s office in person later, or complete the form online. If you complete the application online, you will need to submit all other materials within seven days of completing the application. 

 

Step 5: Complete Tax Form RUT-50

Based on how new your vehicle is, you will be required to pay a certain amount of taxes, between $25 and $390. You can complete it in person at the Secretary of State office when you submit the other materials in person, or you can print the form at home and submit it to the Secretary of State’s office in person later, or mail it to the office later. The form must have the fee included when it is submitted. 

 

Step 6: Get Check or Money Order for Registration Fees

When you submit the rest of these forms, you will be required to pay your registration and title fees. A car registration fee in Illinois ranges from up to $100 to up to $115. The title fee is a flat fee. Make sure to have this payment ready upfront. 

 

Step 7: Submit Your Forms

Either submit all of the above-mentioned paperwork and money for fees in person at your nearest Secretary of State office or via registered mail. 

 

Step 8: Pick Your Plate

Once your registration is complete, the Secretary of State Office will issue your new Illinois state license plates. They may direct you to another building to pick up the plates or will mail the plates to you. If you spring for a vanity or personalized plate, it may take 60 to 90 days to receive the plate in the mail. The office will give you temporary plates to use until the new plates arrive. Be sure to install the permanent plates as soon as they arrive. 

 

Method Two: Registering Your Brand New Car in Illinois

 

Step 1: Follow the 30 Day Rule

New residents to the State of Illinois have 30 days to apply for their Illinois registration and title after establishing their residence, so long as the vehicle has already been properly registered in another state or jurisdiction. 

 

Step 2: Head to Your Local Secretary of State Office

Unlike a new vehicle purchase, where registration can be completed via mail, the transfer process must be completed in person. 

 

Step 3: Complete Application for Vehicle Transaction Form (VSD 190)

This form will officially transfer the vehicle title into your name and make you the car’s owner. You can complete it in person at the secretary of state office when you submit the other materials in person, or you can print the form at home and submit it to the Secretary of State’s office in person later. 

 

Step 4: Gather Necessary Documents 

Along with the Application of Vehicle Transfer Form discussed in Step 3, you will need to bring proof of residency, the car’s original title and registration, and a description of the car to your local Secretary of State office. The description should include the car’s year, make, model, VIN, when you purchased the car, and whether the car was purchased new or used. 

 

Step 5: Get Check or Money Order for Registration Fees

When you submit the rest of these forms, you will be required to pay your registration and title fees. Bring these fees, along with the forms from steps 3 and 4, to the office you found in step 2 and submit the forms. 

 

Step 6: Pick Your Plate

Once your registration is complete, the Secretary of State Office will issue your new Illinois state license plates. They may direct you to another building to pick up the plates or will mail the plates to you. If you spring for a vanity or personalized plate, it may take 60 to 90 days to receive the plate in the mail. The office will give you temporary plates to use until the new plates arrive. Be sure to install the permanent plates as soon as they arrive.