Registration Renewal and ID Cards

Registration Renewal and ID Cards Vehicle Services

Registration Renewal

Renewal with Notice and No Changes
  • Online License Plate Renewal – your Registration ID and PIN are located on the renewal notice you may have received in the mail and also on your current registration card. If you do not have a renewal notice or a current registration card, please call the Public Inquiry Division at 800-252-8980 (toll free in Illinois) or 217-785-3000 (outside Illinois) to obtain your Registration ID and PIN number. Accepted forms of payment include credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa), or personal check. A processing fee will be added to your transaction if you use a credit card.
  • Touch-Tone Phone System 866-545-9609 – your Registration ID and PIN are located on the renewal notice you may have received in the mail and also on your current registration card. If you do not have a renewal notice or a current registration card, please call the Public Inquiry Division at 800-252-8980 (toll free in Illinois) or 217-785-3000 (outside Illinois) to obtain your Registration ID and PIN number. Accepted forms of payment include American Express, Discover, or MasterCard credit cards. A processing fee will be added to your transaction if you use a credit card.
  • Mail – Make check payable to the Illinois Secretary of State, sign your name on the bottom portion of your renewal notice, and mail in. You must allow 30 days for delivery of your renewal sticker.
  • In person – Visit your nearest Secretary of State facility, currency exchange or participating bank. Bring your renewal notice and payment. Acceptable payments include cash, check, credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) or traveler's check. A bank processing fee will be added to your transaction if you use a credit card.
Renewal with Address Change
  • Online License Plate Renewal – You may update your legal Illinois residence address when you renew your registration. Your Registration ID and PIN are located on the renewal notice you may have received in the mail and also on your current registration card. If you do not have a renewal notice or a current registration card, please call the Public Inquiry Division at 800-252-8980 (toll free in Illinois) or 217-785-3000 (outside Illinois) to obtain your Registration ID and PIN number. Accepted forms of payment include credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa), or personal check. A processing fee will be added to your transaction if you use a credit card. There is no fee to change an address if renewing your registration.
  • Mail – Mark the Address Change box on the front of the renewal notice (bottom section) and make changes in the Address Change section on the back of the notice. Make check payable to the Illinois Secretary of State, sign your name on the bottom portion of your renewal notice, and mail in. You must allow 30 days for delivery of your renewal sticker.
  • In person – Visit your nearest Secretary of State facility, currency exchange or participating bank. Bring your renewal notice and payment. Acceptable payments include cash, check, credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) or traveler's check. A bank processing fee will be added to your transaction if you use a credit card. There is no fee to change an address if renewing your registration.

Renewal with Name Change
To change a name on a registration, you must change the name on the title first. An application for corrected title must be completed and submitted to the Secretary of State's office. See more on corrected titles.

  • Mail – Make check payable to the Illinois Secretary of State, include corrected title and documentation, sign your name on the bottom portion of your renewal notice, and mail in. You must allow 30 days for delivery of your renewal sticker.
  • In person – Visit your nearest Secretary of State facility, currency exchange or participating bank. Bring your renewal notice and payment. Acceptable payments include cash, check, credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) or traveler's check. A bank processing fee will be added to your transaction if you use a credit card.

Renewal without Notice
The renewal notice is sent out as a courtesy reminder and it is the motorist's responsibility to ensure that vehicle registration is current. If you have lost or did not receive your notice, you have several options.

  • By mail – submit a letter indicating your name, address, license plate number, and vehicle information (including make, model year and VIN), a copy of your current registration card (if available) and mail to:
    Illinois Secretary of State
    Vehicle Services Department
    501 S. 2nd. St., Rm. 055
    Springfield, IL 62756-6666
    Standard processing time is 30 days.
  • In person – Visit your nearest Secretary of State facility. Currency exchanges and participating banks also process registration renewals, and some will accept last year's registration card in lieu of the renewal form. Acceptable payments include cash, check, credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) or traveler's check. A bank processing fee will be added to your transaction if you use a credit card.
Renewal with Vehicle Information Change
  • Mail – If information on your renewal notice is incorrect, make changes on the renewal notice. Cross out wrong vehicle information with a single line and write the corrected information above the line. If vehicle information is incorrect because you recently bought a new vehicle, make the changes and attach a copy of the transfer ID, which is sent by the dealer four to six weeks after the purchase. If you have not received the transfer ID card, you may go ahead and mail in the registration form as is with your fee. When the transfer ID card arrives, attach it to the new registration card that you will receive with your renewal sticker. Make check payable to the Illinois Secretary of State, sign your name on the bottom portion of your renewal notice, and mail in. You must allow 30 days for delivery of your renewal sticker.
  • In person – Visit your nearest Secretary of State facility, currency exchange or participating bank. Bring your renewal notice and payment. Acceptable payments include cash, check, credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) or traveler's check. A bank processing fee will be added to your transaction if you use a credit card.

Registration ID Cards

The Registration ID card is located on the Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice you may have received in the mail. It contains your personal vehicle information that is documented with the Secretary of State's office, your mailing address and the State Seal.

Illinois law requires the registration ID card to be carried in all second-division vehicles weighing more than 8,000 pounds. Because some of our neighboring states require the ID card to be carried in all vehicles, we suggest that all Illinois motorists carry the ID cards in their vehicles.

You must obtain a corrected or duplicate ID card if:
  • Any information, such as name or vehicle information, is incorrect. The fee is $3.
  • You recently were married and changed names. The fee is $3.
  • You go from an individual to a sole proprietorship. The fee is $3. You must also submit a statement and Corrected Title.
  • You form a partnership, merge or change your corporate name. The fee is $3. You must also submit a copy of the merger documentation or a copy of the amendment to the articles of incorporation. You may also have to submit a Corrected Title.
  • When applying for a corrected registration ID card, a Corrected Title may also be required.

You must fill out the form Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190). The Electronic Registration and Title (ERT) System allows you to complete and print an Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190) online. Alternatively, you may visit a Secretary of State facility or contact our office at 800-252-8980 (toll free in Illinois) or 217-785-3000 (outside Illinois) to obtain a form. You may submit a form with the appropriate fee to:
Illinois Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd. St., Rm. 055
Springfield, IL 62756-6666