How Do You Transfer License Plates in Illinois?

The Illinois rule in one table

| Form, narrow | VSD 980: spouse or child only | | Form, wide | VSD 707: immediate family, as defined on the form | | Fee, transfer only | 25 dollars | | Fee, title and transfer | 190 dollars, 165 dollars title plus 25 dollars transfer | | Fee waiver | Transfer fee waived for reassignment to a spouse, and likewise to a child, on the signed form | | Mailing address | Vehicle Services Department, 501 South 2nd Street, Room 541, Springfield, IL 62756 | | Own vehicle | VSD 190, check Transfer or Title and Transfer, with correct vehicle information, plate number, and the most recent Registration ID Card enclosed. Transfer-only cannot currently be done online |

What makes Illinois different

Illinois is the two forms, two family lists state, and the lists must not be merged. VSD 980 covers spouse or child only. VSD 707 covers a wider immediate family: spouse, father, mother, children, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren, plus the father, mother, brothers, and sisters of the transferor spouse, plus the spouse of a child, brother, or sister of the transferor. Both forms require the transferor to release all interest in the plates and both parties to sign under penalty of perjury, and both mail to Room 541 in Springfield.

The second Illinois difference is the fee waiver that undercuts the headline fee. Transfer-only costs 25 dollars and title and transfer costs 190 dollars, but the statute says the Secretary of State shall waive any transfer fee for reassignment to a spouse, and likewise to a child, on the signed form. Presenting 25 dollars as the universal family transfer fee is wrong for exactly the two relationships the narrow form covers. For your own vehicle, use VSD 190, check Transfer or Title and Transfer, enclose the most recent Registration ID Card, and go to the nearest driver services facility or call 800-252-8980, since transfer-only cannot currently be done online. Under 625 ILCS 5/3-501, when a title transfers, the registration expires, the owner removes the plates and stickers and forwards them to the Secretary of State, or may have the plates and registration number assigned to another vehicle on payment of the required fees.

The process, step by step

1. Decide which form fits: VSD 980 for spouse or child only, VSD 707 for the wider immediate family list.
2. Complete the form with the plate number, both vehicles, and both signatures under penalty of perjury, with the transferor releasing all interest in the plates.
3. Mail to the Vehicle Services Department, 501 South 2nd Street, Room 541, Springfield, IL 62756.
4. For your own vehicle, use VSD 190 with Transfer or Title and Transfer checked, enclose the most recent Registration ID Card, and apply at a facility or by calling 800-252-8980. Transfer-only cannot currently be done online.

Related Illinois guides

See Replace a Lost Car Title in Illinois and Replace Lost License Plates in Illinois, and the full hub at Illinois Admin Process Directory.

Source

Forms, family lists, and mailing address on this page come from the Illinois Secretary of State: VSD 980 and VSD 707, both March 2026. Fees come from the Illinois Secretary of State Transferring Plates page and 625 ILCS 5/3-821. The waiver comes from 625 ILCS 5/3-421(c) and (c-1). The registration expiry rule comes from 625 ILCS 5/3-501. Facts verified 2026-10-26.

This page explains how the process works and what the official rules say. It is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute about your specific situation, talk to a lawyer or your state agency.