Title to a car is the official record and proof of ownership of the car. Transferring the title to a car is necessary when a seller sells the car to a buyer—or when divorcing spouses are transferring the title from both spouses to one spouse. Your state’s department of motor vehicles will usually make the forms necessary to transfer the title/change vehicle ownership available on its website—with some additional information to guide you through the process.
In Illinois, the title of a car is a legal document that establishes a person or entity as the legal owner of the vehicle. When a car is sold, the title must be transferred from the seller to the buyer to reflect the change in ownership. This process is overseen by the Illinois Secretary of State's office. To transfer a title, the seller must complete the assignment section on the back of the title, including the date of sale, odometer reading, selling price, and signatures of both the seller and buyer. The buyer then submits the title, along with a completed Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190), to the Secretary of State's office and pays the required fee. If the title transfer is due to a divorce, the process may vary slightly, and additional documentation, such as a divorce decree, may be required to prove the transfer is part of the divorce settlement. The Illinois Secretary of State's website provides forms and detailed instructions for transferring a vehicle title.