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A Motor Vehicle Registration — or more simply, a car registration — connects a car to its owner for identification purposes, and is proof that the car owner has paid the required taxes and obtained the minimum auto insurance coverage required in their state. Each state requires you, by law, to register your car with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or transportation agency.
The vehicle registration process involves providing some personal information and details on your car and paying a registration fee. If you fail to register your car or renew your registration, you could face penalty fees, a ticket and possibly impoundment.
The most common scenarios wherein you’d need to register a car are:
The Illinois Secretary of State’s Vehicle Services oversees vehicle registration in the state. Find out more about car registration on the Illinois Vehicle Services page here.
In Illinois, you must register any cars or motor vehicles you own or operate with the Illinois Secretary of State.
The first time you register your car in Illinois, you’ll receive a license plate for your vehicle and a registration card. Additionally, you will receive a registration sticker that needs to be attached to your vehicle’s license plate.
When you renew your registration, you’ll receive a new registration card. In Illinois, drivers are required to keep the registration card with them when operating a vehicle. If you drive a commercial vehicle, you can carry the digital version of the card.
To register a car in Illinois, you must:
Find out more about the requirements to register a vehicle in Illinois here and the personal information requirements here.
The main difference between a car title (or pink slip) and a car registration is that while the first proves your legal ownership of a vehicle, the second allows your vehicle to be driven on public roads. Both documents are mandatory in all 50 U.S. states.
Unlike the car title, which does not need to be renewed, the car registration has to be renewed every one or two years, depending on the state. In Illinois, registrations have to be renewed every year.
The car title only needs to be changed when the vehicle is sold and the owner changes, or if you have finished paying the car loan and the vehicle is now officially yours. In these cases, you must complete a transfer of ownership by transferring the title.
Learn more about your car title in Illinois here.
If you purchase a new or used vehicle at a car dealership in Illinois, the dealership will handle the vehicle registration on your behalf but will charge the applicable registration fees.
If you purchased a used car from a private seller or are a new resident of the state, you will need to obtain a car registration yourself.
To register your car in Illinois, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need here.
In Illinois, you must register your car in person. Click here to find your nearest Illinois Secretary of State facility location.
The cost to register a vehicle in Illinois will depend on the type and weight of the vehicle, as well as your county of residence. You can pay the Secretary of State fees in cash, with a check or with a credit card.
If you have questions about the car registration process or require assistance, contact the Illinois Vehicle Services by phone at (800) 252-8980.
You can also submit questions or requests online by filling out the License Plate and Vehicle Registration Contact Form here.
To renew your car registration in Illinois, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the documents needed to renew your registration here.
To renew your registration online, click here to access the Vehicle Registration Renewal Portal.
To renew your registration by phone, call (866) 545-9609. You will need your renewal notice with your Registration ID and PIN to renew by phone.
To renew your registration in person, click here to find your nearest County Assessor Motor Vehicle Office.
To renew your registration by mail, you must have received a renewal notice in the mail from the Illinois Secretary of State. Fill out the renewal notice with the required information and mail it to your local Secretary of State facility. Find your nearest office location and contact information here.
In addition to standard fees, you will need to pay an online service charge if you choose to renew your registration online.
If you have further questions about the vehicle registration renewal process or require assistance, contact Illinois Vehicle Services by phone at (800) 252-8980.
Or, submit questions or requests through the License Plate and Vehicle Registration Contact Form here.
If you applied for a new vehicle registration or requested a vehicle registration renewal for your car, check the status of your application or request with the Illinois Vehicle Registration Status Check tool here.
You can also visit or call a local Secretary of State facility for further assistance. Find your nearest local Secretary of State facility location and contact information in Illinois here.
Any missing or stolen vehicle title or registration must be replaced and reported to the local authorities immediately. This includes license plates. You can replace lost or stolen title and registration documents online, in person or by mail.
To replace documentation online, click here.
To replace documentation in person, click here to find your nearest Secretary of State facility.
To replace documentation by mail, print and complete the Duplicate Illinois Title Application here and send it to the following address:
Office of the Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
014 Howlett Building
501 S. Second Street
Springfield, IL 62756
After requesting your replacement title or registration, you can check the status of your request on the Illinois Secretary of State website.
If you move to a new address within the state, you will need to update the address on your vehicle registration within 10 days of relocation.
To update your address online, click here.
To update your address in person, click here to find your nearest Secretary of State facility.
If you need to update your name on your registration, you must change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first. Learn more about how to change your name with the SSA here.
After changing your name with the SSA, you must visit a local Secretary of State facility in person to update your registration. Find your nearest office location and contact information here. You will need documents that confirm the legal name change, such as a marriage or divorce certificate or a court order.
Learn more about changing your name with the Illinois Secretary of State here.
If you have recently moved to Illinois, you will need to register and title your car with the Illinois Secretary of State within 90 days of moving to the state. Follow the same car registration steps outlined above to complete the process.
If you have not yet obtained an Illinois-issued driver’s license or ID card, you will need to provide your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number with your legal name and address to submit your car registration application.
Learn more about what to expect as a new Illinois resident here.
If you move out of Illinois, you will need to register your vehicle in your new state. Your new state may have different requirements for vehicle services. Click here to access your new state’s official DMV website for more information.
The total cost to register or renew your vehicle depends on:
Other registration and title fees include:
Any person driving a vehicle without a valid car registration in Illinois can face a fine between $500 and $1,000.
To learn more about Illinois fines and penalties in 2020, click here.
For help with the car registration process, or for any further questions about your car registration, call the Illinois Secretary of State by phone at (800) 252-8980.
Or, visit or call a local Secretary of State facility for further assistance. Find your nearest office location and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the car registration process and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get familiar with the process by providing useful information.
Our free Car Registration Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
