How to Get a Bonded Title in Illinois

The Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) requires a bonded title for individuals who cannot provide proof of ownership for their vehicle. An Illinois bonded title establishes legal ownership for vehicles with lost, missing or incomplete titles.

Read on to learn the six-step process for getting a bonded title in Illinois.

How to get a bonded title in Illinois

Why Would You Need a Bonded Title?

Illinois Compiled Statutes 625 5/3-109 require individuals who own a vehicle without the original title to purchase and file an Illinois title bond as part of the vehicle registration process. A bonded title protects previous owners, lienholders and the state of Illinois against any expense, loss or damage.

These bonds cannot be used to obtain titles in the following situations:

Abandoned vehicles
Repossessions
Mechanics liens or estates, or to remove a lienholder.

How to Get a Bonded Title In Illinois

Follow these six steps to complete your Illinois bonded title application.

Step 1: Prove your right to the vehicle

Provide one of the following ownership documents as evidence:

A bill of sale
A receipt
A canceled check

If these ownership documents are not available, you’ll need to provide a notarized statement explaining how you gained possession of the vehicle.

Step 2: Appraise the vehicle

You can determine your vehicle’s appraisal value online with NADA or Kelley Blue Book, or through one of the following licensed professionals:

Vehicle dealer
Rebuilder
Real estate agent (for mobile homes)
Antique vehicle association officer or club (for antique vehicles)

You cannot perform your own vehicle appraisal.

The affirmation of the appraisal statement must contain the following:

Vehicle year, make, model and VIN
Current wholesale value
Statement that the vehicle is intact or it is an incomplete, salvage or junk vehicle
Statement that the value is accurate to the best of the appraiser's knowledge under penalties of perjury

Step 3: Purchase an Illinois title bond

Per the Secretary of State, your title bond amount must be 1.5x the appraisal value of the vehicle. Once you know your bond amount, you can buy your Illinois certificate of title bond instantly online for as low as $100.

You’ll receive an email with the official bond form. Print, sign and file the bond with the SOS.

Step 4: Complete and submit an application

Complete and print the title application (form VSD 190) through the Electronic Registration and Title Vehicle Services system. Submit this along with the $95 application fee and supporting documentation to your local Secretary of State branch office.

Step 5: Submit the proper tax documents

You must include tax documents with your application if you are titling a motor vehicle in Illinois that was purchased from an unregistered, out-of-state dealer or retailer.

Fill out the Motor Vehicle Use Tax Return (RUT-25) form and make taxes payable to the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Step 6: Release any existing liens

If a lienholder is listed on the previous title record, you must file a lien release.

You’ll receive your bonded title and Illinois license plates and tags once your application is approved and all payments are made to the Secretary of State.

How to Renew Your Bonded Title

Bonded titles in Illinois last for a three-year period. After the bond expires, you’ll be eligible for a certificate of title. The Illinois SOS will return your bond as long as there are no pending claims.

How Much Does a Bonded Title Cost in Illinois?

Most applicants can expect to pay a total of $195–500 to receive a bonded title in Illinois.

Bonded titles have a $95 issuance of title fee payable to the Secretary of State along with tax payments if applicable. Illinois certificate of title bonds cost $100 for up to $5k in coverage or $10 per $1k in coverage for bond amounts up to $25k.

Contact Information

For additional assistance or to obtain forms, contact:

Illinois Secretary of State

Vehicle Titles Division Attn: Bonded Titles

698 Howlett Building

501 S. Second St.

Springfield, IL 62756-7000

How to Get an Illinois Bonded Title