Chicago, IL Bill of Sale

Chicago is Illinois's largest and most complex vehicle market, where buyers must work out the state Private Party Vehicle Use Tax (Form RUT-50) — set by model year when the price is under $15,000, or by price at $15,000 or more — and check for any Cook County or City of Chicago vehicle taxes. Form RUT-50 is required for private sales and is due within 30 days of purchase. Emissions testing is mandatory for vehicles registered in Cook County.

Title Transfer Deadline

20 days

Apply for title within 20 days after the vehicle and the signed title are delivered; the RUT-50 tax form is due within 30 days of purchase.

Sales Tax

See state rules

Private-party RUT-50 (flat-dollar)

Notarization

Not required

Bill of Sale

Not confirmed

The Secretary of State's title requirements do not list a bill of sale, but no official source says one is not required.

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Vehicle Bill of Sale · Illinois

9 vehicle fields

Illinois Requirements: Apply for title within 20 days after the vehicle and the signed title are delivered; the RUT-50 tax form is due within 30 days of purchase. Private-party RUT-50 (flat-dollar) applies; it is not a flat percentage of the price.

Seller Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Buyer Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Vehicle Details

Year *

Make *

Model *

VIN *

Color *

Mileage *

License Plate

Odometer reading is accurate to the best of my knowledge

Lien Holder (if applicable)

Sale Information

Sale Price ($) *

Payment Method *

Date of Sale *

County of Sale (if known)

Applicable Taxes Paid By

Condition & Warranty

Sold AS-IS (no warranty)

Warranty Details (if applicable)

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State rules change. We check these requirements against official state sources, but details can go out of date. Confirm with your state's motor vehicle agency before you rely on them. If you notice anything wrong or outdated, email support@billofsale.app.

Bill of Sale in Chicago, IL — Local Guide

Where to Transfer a Title in Chicago

Illinois SOS Chicago – 5401 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60630
Illinois SOS Chicago – 9901 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Chicago, IL 60628
Illinois SOS Chicago – 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601 (downtown loop)
Illinois SOS Chicago – 17 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60602
Illinois SOS Chicago – 5301 W. Lexington St., Chicago, IL 60644

Chicago Vehicle Market — What You Need to Know

Buyers should work out the RUT-50 amount (by model year under $15,000, by price at $15,000 or more) and check any Cook County or City of Chicago vehicle taxes before agreeing on a price.
Emissions testing is required for vehicles registered in Cook County; testing centers are located throughout the city and must be passed before registration.
Popular vehicles in Chicago include all-wheel-drive SUVs and crossovers for winter driving, and compact sedans for city parking.
Police-designated safe exchange zones are located at every Chicago Police District station — highly recommended for high-value transactions.
The Illinois SOS offices in Chicago are among the busiest in the state; online appointment scheduling is strongly advised.

Tips for Chicago Buyers and Sellers

Budget for the state RUT-50 amount, and check with the city and county whether any local vehicle tax also applies to your purchase.
Complete Form RUT-50 (Private Party Vehicle Use Tax) at the time of purchase and file it with the Illinois SOS within 30 days to avoid penalties.
Emissions testing is required in Cook County — confirm the vehicle passed its most recent test or factor in a testing fee before finalizing the deal.
Chicago winters are harsh; inspect the vehicle's rust protection, undercarriage, and road-salt corrosion carefully — especially on vehicles over five years old.
Schedule an Illinois SOS appointment online; walk-in wait times at Chicago offices can exceed two hours during peak periods.

Chicago Bill of Sale — FAQs

How is the vehicle tax on a private sale in Chicago worked out?

The state Private Party Vehicle Use Tax (Form RUT-50) is not a flat percentage: when the price is under $15,000 the amount depends on the vehicle's model year, and at $15,000 or more it depends on the price. Cook County and the City of Chicago may add their own taxes — check with them before you budget.

Is emissions testing required for a private vehicle purchase in Chicago?

Yes. Cook County is one of the Illinois emissions testing counties. The vehicle must pass an emissions test at an authorized Illinois EPA facility before it can be registered in your name.

What is Form RUT-50 and when do I need to file it?

Form RUT-50 is the Illinois Private Party Vehicle Use Tax return. It must be filed with the Illinois Secretary of State within 30 days of purchasing a vehicle from a private party. Failure to file on time results in late filing penalties and interest.

For full Illinois vehicle transfer requirements, visit the Illinois Bill of Sale page.

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