An Illinois car bill of sale is a written record of a private vehicle sale. It names the seller, the buyer, the vehicle and the date of the sale. The state’s rule on evidence of ownership accepts a properly assigned title to the new owner or a bill of sale that lists those details.[1] Download our free Illinois motor vehicle bill of sale template or fill it out online.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Illinois law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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| Document Name | Illinois Vehicle Bill of Sale Form |
| Other Names | Illinois Car Bill of Sale, Illinois Automobile Bill of Sale |
| DMV | Office of the Illinois Secretary of State |
| Evidence of Ownership | A properly assigned title or a bill of sale[1] |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 7 minutes |
FormsPal has Illinois bill of sale templates for four kinds of private sales: a motor vehicle, a boat, a firearm and general items. Each card below says what the form records and lets you download a free PDF template. You can also browse our bill of sale forms for other states.
Illinois motor vehicle bill of sale records the sale of a car, truck or other motor vehicle between a private seller and a buyer. It lists the seller, the buyer, the vehicle, the price and the date of sale.
| Alternative Name | Car Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Signature line on the form |
| Buyer’s Signature | Signature line on the form |
| Notarization | Acknowledgment page on the form |
| Download | PDF Template |
Use an Illinois boat bill of sale when you sell or buy a boat. It records the boat, the seller, the buyer, the price and the date of sale.
| Alternative Name | Vessel Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Signature line on the form |
| Buyer’s Signature | Signature line on the form |
| Notarization | Check the form |
| Download | PDF Template |
Fill in the Illinois gun bill of sale to record a firearm sale between a private seller and a buyer. It lists the firearm, the seller, the buyer, the price and the date of sale.
| Alternative Name | Gun Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Signature line on the form |
| Buyer’s Signature | Signature line on the form |
| Notarization | Check the form |
| Download | PDF Template |
A general bill of sale covers private sales of items that do not need a specialized form. You can add and personalize the details for your own transaction.
| Alternative Name | Generic Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Signature line on the form |
| Buyer’s Signature | Signature line on the form |
| Notarization | Check the form |
| Download | PDF Template |
An Illinois car bill of sale records who sold which vehicle to whom and when. The state’s rule on evidence of ownership says that evidence consists of a properly assigned title to the new owner or a bill of sale. A bill of sale used for this purpose contains, but is not limited to, the details in the rule quoted below.[1]
Evidence of ownership shall be carried on the vehicle and shall consist of a properly assigned title to the new owner or a bill of sale which contains but is not limited to the following information: the name and address of the seller and buyer; the year, make, serial number of the vehicle; and the date of the sale.
In plain words, the rule lists these details:
A handwritten bill of sale is valid as long as it carries this information. The state’s published requirements for the document do not list notarization.[1] Our template also asks for the price, the odometer reading and how the buyer pays.
The steps below follow our Illinois motor vehicle bill of sale template, from the date at the top to the acknowledgment on the last page. Fill in each part in the order the form shows it. You can create the form online, print the PDF and write it by hand, or fill in the PDF with our PDF editor.
Step 1: Date
Write the date on the DATE line at the top of page 1.
Step 2: Seller’s Information
Fill in the seller’s name, street address, city, state, zip code, telephone number and email address.
Step 3: Buyer’s Information
Enter the same details for the buyer.
Step 4: Motor Vehicle Description
Write both names in the sentence at the top of this part. Then fill in these fields:
Step 5: Purchase Date, Price and Payment Plan
On page 2, enter the purchase date and the total price. Then check one option: all at once, trade-in with the buyer’s vehicle details, deposit with a balance date, or gift.
Step 6: Payment Method and Taxes
Select Cash, Check (with the check number), Cashier’s Check or Money Order. Then check whether taxes are included.
Step 7: Miscellaneous Provisions
On page 3, read the three paragraphs before you sign. This part has nothing to fill in. It covers the seller’s ownership statement, the as-is sale and the entire agreement.
Step 8: Signatures
The seller and the buyer each sign, date and print their name. The form also has a Witness line.
Step 9: Acknowledgment
To have the form notarized, sign before the notary in the acknowledgment on page 4.
When you sell a vehicle in Illinois, the title must be transferred to the buyer as well. Under 625 ILCS 5/3-112, an assignment and warranty of title is signed over to the buyer in the space provided on the certificate of title.[2] Your vehicle bill of sale is a separate record of the sale, so keep a signed copy.
The buyer must then apply for a new certificate of title promptly and within 20 days after delivery of the vehicle and the assigned title (625 ILCS 5/3-112(b)).[2] Between private parties, Illinois rules give a 24-hour grace period to drive the vehicle home or to get it registered, with the assigned title or a bill of sale carried as evidence of ownership, and once the vehicle has been driven on public highways the owner must apply for registration within 24 hours (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1010.510).[1]
Buyers commonly bring a few papers to the Illinois Secretary of State. Requirements change, so check the Secretary of State’s website before you go. Papers people often gather:
If you have a bill of sale but no title, read our guide to getting a vehicle title with a bill of sale.
Watercraft registration or title application required for boaters who want to operate in Illinois.
Firearm Dealer License Certification Act is submitted by a person who want to retail, collect or manufacture the firearm.
FOID Investigation Relief Reinstatement Firearms Rights Form is submitted when the resident wants to appeal the denial of their FOID (Firearm Owner’s Identification) card.
Yes. A bill of sale you write yourself works as long as it contains the details the rule lists. Those are the names and addresses of the seller and buyer, the year, make and serial number of the vehicle, and the date of the sale.[1]
Yes. The rule describes a bill of sale by what it contains, so a handwritten bill of sale is valid when it carries the listed details.[1]
Yes. A handwritten bill of sale is valid as long as it carries the information the state requires.[1] Write clearly, and add the price and the odometer reading as our template does.
Start with the date. Then add the names and addresses of the seller and buyer, and the year, make and serial number of the vehicle.[1] The step-by-step guide above walks through each part of our template.
Illinois has no statute that requires a bill of sale to be notarized. The state’s published requirements for the document do not list notarization either.[1] Our template includes an acknowledgment page for people who want a notary to sign.
Other Illinois Forms
General information, not legal or tax advice.
Unless noted otherwise, the sources below are from the Illinois Compiled Statutes.
