Mechanic's Lien Affirmation (VSD 526) at a glance
What it is: The Mechanic's Lien Affirmation (VSD-526) is completed in full by the seller (mechanic lienholder) and purchaser of the vehicle.
Who signs: Signature of Seller (Mechanic Lienholder Agent's Name) and Signature of Purchaser(s).
A mechanic's lien may be established against a vehicle by an individual or company after the vehicle's owner or person consenting to such service fails to pay and leaves the vehicle in the custody of the individual or company for an extended period of time.
What to bring and attach to Mechanic's Lien Affirmation (VSD 526)
Contact the Secretary of State's office, Motor Vehicle Records Division, Record Inquiry Section, in writing and request a title search to determine the owner(s) and lienholder(s) of the vehicle.
Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD-190) completed in full in the name of the individual/business acquiring the vehicle pursuant to the mechanic lien sale.
Verification of Ownership - Title Search conducted by the Secretary of State's office, Motor Vehicle Records Division, and, if applicable, an out-of-state motor vehicle department or agency.
Notices by Certified Mail - Original or copy of the actual letters mailed certified, the U.S. Post Office date stamped receipts for certified mail (PS form 3800) and signed, return receipt (PS Form 3811), together with any unopened certified letter(s) returned by the post office as undeliverable, unclaimed, etc., mailed to the owner(s) and lienholder(s).
Notice of Service (if Applicable) - Affidavit of Service filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court with liens in excess of $2,000 for unknown owners/lienholders and/or undeliverable mailings. (checked November 1, 2026)
Notices by Newspaper Publication - Original or copy of the actual newspaper publication(s) published and the Certificate of Publication identifying the name of the publication and publication dates.
Copy of the invoice/work order reflecting the vehicle information; services rendered; date the vehicle was brought in for service; complete name, address, contact information, and signature of the owner; name of authorized agent of the owner or lawful possessor thereof who brought the vehicle in consenting to service; and total amount due.
Appropriate title fee - $165 for Certificate of Title, $20 for Salvage Certificate or $0 for Junking Certificate. (checked November 1, 2026)
Appropriate sales tax form and sales tax payment payable to Illinois Department of Revenue.
Photos of all four sides of the vehicle and a legible photo of the Vehicle Identification Number (not required for self-storage facilities or mobile homes).
A filled-in Mechanic's Lien Affirmation (VSD 526) example: a mechanic records a sale for an unpaid repair

How to fill out Mechanic's Lien Affirmation (VSD 526), box by box
A. GENERAL VEHICLE INFORMATION
B. MECHANIC'S LIEN INFORMATION

In B. Mechanic's lien information, enter the date of lienholder first notice (See instructions.), the date storage fees begin (See instructions.), the date vehicle was towed and/or left for repair, the date repairs were completed and the total amount due for services (Attach a copy of invoice/work order.).
The mechanic lienholder must specify the items of labor and material and their corresponding values that comprise the lien.
Storage charges may not be incurred and/or charged prior to any written notice mailed by certified mail to the lienholder of record.
Enter the DETAILS OF THE ACQUISITION OF THE VEHICLE (Attach a separate sheet if necessary.).
C. PUBLIC SALE INFORMATION (check one)

In C. PUBLIC SALE INFORMATION, check one.
Lien of $2,000 or less (Chapter 770 50/1-50/6) - Notice sent by certified mail to owner(s) and lienholder(s) 30 days before sale of vehicle. (checked November 1, 2026)
Lien of more than $2,000 (Chapter 770 45/1 et seq. or Chapter 770 90/1 et seq.) - Notice sent by certified mail to owner(s) and lienholder(s) 30 days before sale of vehicle. (checked November 1, 2026)
Self-Service Storage Facility (Chapter 770 95/1 et seq.) - Notice sent by certified mail to owner(s) and lienholder(s) 15 days before sale of vehicle.
Under the box you check, fill in Notice published in: and A newspaper circulated in: , Illinois.
D. SELLER/BUYER ASSIGNMENT/ODOMETER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

In D. SELLER/BUYER ASSIGNMENT/ODOMETER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT, the vehicle was lawfully sold at public sale under the statutory provisions in C. PUBLIC SALE INFORMATION at which said vehicle was purchased by: Purchaser's Printed Name.
Purchaser's Address. Federal and state laws require that mileage be reported in connection with the transfer of ownership. Failure to complete or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment. By signing you certify to the best of your knowledge that the odometer reading is the actual mileage of the vehicle unless one of the following statements is checked: Odometer (No Tenths): 1. The mileage stated is in excess of its mechanical limits. 2. The odometer reading is not the actual mileage. WARNING - ODOMETER DISCREPANCY.
Signatures of the seller and the purchaser(s)

The undersigned hereby affirms that the labor, services, skill, or material provided upon or storage provided for the vehicle described in A. GENERAL VEHICLE INFORMATION was completed at the request of or with the consent of its owner, authorized agent of the owner, or lawful possessor thereof by Illinois Compiled Statutes. Furthermore, the undersigned will assume all liability and costs for any and all litigation that may arise from the sale of this vehicle and certifies under penalty of perjury that the facts contained herein are true and correct.
For the seller, sign the Signature of Seller (Mechanic Lienholder Agent's Name) line and enter the Printed Name of Seller (Mechanic Lienholder Agent and Business Name) and the Address of Seller (Mechanic Lienholder Business Address).
For the purchaser(s), sign the Signature of Purchaser(s) line and enter the Printed Name of Purchaser(s) and the Date of Sale/Odometer Disclosure.
More rules for Mechanic's Lien Affirmation (VSD 526)
To enforce a mechanic's lien, the vehicle owner's consent is required.
The mechanic lien process is intended for intact vehicles with no significant damage.
Vehicles sustaining major damage may not qualify for a clear, regular certificate of title.
Liens under Chapter 770 and a self-service storage facility
Liens under Chapter 770 50/1-50/6
After 60 days have lapsed without service payment, the mechanic lienholder must send a certified letter to the owner(s) and lienholder(s) of the vehicle.
If charges are not paid before the 91st day (60-day lapse plus 30-day notice), the mechanic lienholder may dispose of the vehicle at public sale under Chapter 770 ILCS 50/4.
Liens under Chapter 770 45/1 et seq. and 90/1 et seq
After 30 days have lapsed without service payment, the mechanic lienholder must send a certified letter to the owner(s) and lienholder(s) of the vehicle.
Additionally, if the owner(s) and lienholder(s) name(s) are unknown, or if the certified mailing is returned as undeliverable, the mechanic lienholder also must file an Affidavit with the Clerk of the Circuit Court within the county of jurisdiction.
If charges are not paid before the 61st day (30-day lapse plus 30-day notice), the mechanic lienholder may dispose of the vehicle at public sale under Chapter 770 ILCS 45/1 et seq. and 90/1 et seq.
The owner of a self-service storage facility
Upon expiration of the allotted rental agreement timeframe without service payment, the owner of a self-service storage facility must hand deliver or send by certified mail an itemized statement of the facility owner's demand for payment to the vehicle owner(s), storage facility occupant(s), and lienholder(s).
If charges are not paid before the 15th day after the first newspaper publication, the owner of the self-service storage facility may dispose of the vehicle at public sale under Chapter 770 ILCS 95/1 et seq.
Before you go
The mechanic's lien process MAY NOT begin until 60 days have lapsed without service payment for liens of $2,000 or less, or until 30 days have lapsed without service payment for liens of more than $2,000. (checked November 1, 2026)
A mechanic's lien transaction in violation of these provisions of the Illinois Compiled Statutes will be returned.
Common questions about Mechanic's Lien Affirmation (VSD 526)
Is there a deadline?
The mechanic's lien process MAY NOT begin until 60 days have lapsed without service payment for liens of $2,000 or less, or until 30 days have lapsed without service payment for liens of more than $2,000. (checked November 1, 2026)
Are there fees?
A $5 title search fee is required for each vehicle. The form also requires the appropriate title fee ($165 for Certificate of Title, $20 for Salvage Certificate or $0 for Junking Certificate) and the appropriate sales tax form and sales tax payment payable to Illinois Department of Revenue. (checked November 1, 2026)
Sources
[1] Mechanic's Lien Affirmation, VSD 526.19 (March 2026), Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department (the Official source link on this page).

