The Importance of a Car Title in Illinois

A vehicle’s title is an important part of the purchasing process, regardless of whether it was bought used from a private party or new from a dealership. The title serves as legal proof of ownership of your car; without it registered in your name, your vehicle technically may not be rightfully yours. It is analogous to the deed to your house, and should be guarded just as heavily. It is important to keep if you ever want to sell or give your car to another party, or for several SOS processes involving your car. Should your vehicle’s title ever be lost, stolen, or damaged beyond proper use, be sure to get it replaced as soon as possible.

How Do I Apply to Replace a Lost Title?

First you will have to fill out an Application for Vehicle Transaction, form VSD 190, which is available online. Once it has been filled out, print it out, sign it, and mail it to the following address:

Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
ERT Section, Rm. 424
501 S. Second St.
Springfield, IL. 62756

You can also drop it off in person if that’s preferred. Don’t forget that you’ll need to provide several key pieces of information on your application, including:

• The vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Current odometer reading
• Your driver’s license information

There will be a fee assessed for creating a duplicate title, and that does not include any other outstanding tickets, liens, or fees which may already apply. Lienholder information must be included on the application (if applicable), and the title will be mailed directly to them unless the debts have all been paid and you are now the principal owner of the vehicle.

How About for Out-of-State Residents?

If you’re from out of state and purchased a vehicle with a lost title from an Illinois resident, you’ll have to ask the former owner to apply for the duplicate title on your behalf. If the last valid title holder has also moved out of Illinois, they can use their former Illinois address and specify the replacement title be sent to your address.

Additional Information about Replacing a Duplicate Title in Illinois

Duplicate titles will not be given out within 15 days of the issuance of the original copy, or within 30 days of a previous duplicate. This is done in order to protect against fraud, as well as give you incentive to take better care of your important documents. Also bear in mind that you shouldn’t request a duplicate title if you’re just updating your information. If your old title is still valid, apply for a corrected title instead and update your personal info accordingly.
You can learn more about getting a duplicate title at the official SOS website.