How to Transfer a Car Title After Divorce in Illinois

Transferring a vehicle title after divorce in Illinois involves specific Secretary of State forms and a significant tax break most people don't know about. Here's the exact process, the forms you'll need, and the fees involved.

What You'll Need

Form VSD 190 (Application for Vehicle Transaction). This is the multi-purpose form the Illinois Secretary of State uses for title corrections and transfers. You'll select the appropriate transaction type ("Corrected Title" if removing a co-owner, "Transfer of Title" if moving the vehicle entirely), enter the exact odometer reading, and sign.

If the vehicle was held in joint tenancy (both names on the title), both parties must sign the VSD 190. If the vehicle was solely in your ex's name and the divorce decree awards it to you, your ex must sign the title over to you — the decree alone doesn't automatically transfer the title.

Form RUT-50 (Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Transaction). Under normal circumstances, private vehicle transfers trigger a progressive use tax based on the vehicle's age or purchase price under 625 ILCS 5/3-1001. But transfers between former spouses incident to divorce qualify for a flat $15 exception.

On the RUT-50, mark Step 5, Exception 2c. Pay the $15 flat tax and submit a copy of your divorce decree to verify the relationship. Without claiming this exception, you could owe hundreds in use tax depending on the vehicle's value.

A certified copy of your divorce decree. The Secretary of State may request this to confirm the transfer is incident to a divorce, especially when claiming the tax exception.

Fees

• Title transfer/correction fee: $165 (standard Secretary of State fee for issuing a new or corrected title)
• Vehicle use tax: $15 flat (under the divorce exception on RUT-50, Exception 2c)
• Plate transfer fee: $25 if you're also transferring existing license plates to the new sole owner

Total: $180–$205, depending on whether plates need to transfer.

Where to File

Visit any Illinois Secretary of State facility that handles vehicle services. Bring:

• Completed Form VSD 190
• Completed Form RUT-50 (with Exception 2c marked)
• The current vehicle title (signed by both parties if jointly titled)
• Your certified divorce decree
• Your current driver's license or state ID
• Payment for fees

The process is handled in person — you cannot complete a divorce-related title transfer online or by mail.

Common Issues

Your ex won't sign. If the decree awards you the vehicle but your ex refuses to sign the title, this is a decree violation. You can file a Motion to Enforce or a Petition for Rule to Show Cause with the Circuit Court that entered your divorce. Courts can order the transfer and, in contempt cases, award you attorney's fees.

The vehicle has a lien. If there's an outstanding loan on the vehicle, the lienholder's name stays on the title until the loan is paid off. You can still transfer the ownership interest between spouses, but the lien must be satisfied before you receive a clean title. If the decree assigns the loan to one spouse, make sure that's documented — the lender doesn't care about your decree and will pursue whoever signed the loan.

You also need to update insurance. After the title transfer, update your auto insurance policy to reflect sole ownership. If you were both on a joint policy, you'll need separate policies. Inform your insurer of the change — gaps in coverage or mismatched policy names can cause claim denials.

Don't forget the name on your driver's license. If you're also changing your name through the divorce (restoring a maiden name, for example), update your driver's license first. The name on the title should match your current legal name to avoid complications with future sales or registration renewals.

The Illinois After-Divorce Checklist includes a vehicle transfer worksheet covering the VSD 190, RUT-50 exception, and coordination with insurance and name changes so each step happens in the right sequence.

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