Free Illinois Trailer Bill of Sale Form (IDOR RUT-50 Compliant PDF)

Q: Do trailers have titles in Illinois?

Yes. Unlike some states that exempt lightweight trailers, Illinois law strictly requires titles for all manufactured and homemade trailers operated on public highways under 625 ILCS 5/3-101. A bill of sale and signed title are required to register and title any trailer with the Secretary of State.

Q: What are Illinois TA and TB trailer license plates?

Illinois classifies trailer license plates by gross weight (vehicle plus maximum load) under 625 ILCS 5/3-815. TA plates cover trailers with a gross weight up to 3,000 lbs. TB plates cover trailers from 3,001 to 5,000 lbs. Heavier non-commercial trailers use TC plates (5,001 to 8,000 lbs).

Q: Do trailer license plates stay with the trailer in Illinois?

No. Under 625 ILCS 5/3-501, license plates remain the personal property of the seller and must be removed prior to releasing possession to the buyer. The seller may transfer the plates to another trailer or destroy them. The buyer must apply for their own plates.

Q: Does an Illinois trailer bill of sale need to be notarized?

While not strictly mandatory for standard title transfers with properly signed Illinois titles, notarization in Section F is strongly recommended by the Secretary of State and IDOR to substantiate the purchase price on Form RUT-50, verify identity, and prevent registration delays.

Q: What is required to register a homemade trailer in Illinois?

To title and register a homemade trailer in Illinois, the owner must have the trailer physically inspected by the Illinois State Police (ISP), apply for a state-assigned VIN with the Secretary of State, present receipts for materials and components, and submit this Bill of Sale.

FORM SBF-IL-TRL Statutory Year: 2026

625 ILCS 5/3-101, 5/3-815 & Form RUT-50

STATE OF ILLINOIS STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Utility, Cargo, Boat, Equipment, Livestock & Homemade Trailer Bill of Sale

Compliant with Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) & IDOR Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the trailer described below, to have and to hold forever.

SECTION A: JURISDICTION & LOCATION OF SALE

State:

Illinois County *:

SECTION B: COMPLETE TRAILER IDENTIFICATION & SPECS

Year Built *

Make / Manufacturer *

Model Name / Number *

Body Type *

IL Weight Class (625 ILCS 5/3-815) *

Dimensions (Length x Width ft)

Axles

IL Plate # (Seller Retains)

Unladen / Empty Wt (Tare lbs)

Carrying Capacity (Payload lbs)

Gross Vehicle Wt Rating (GVWR lbs) *

Trailer VIN / Serial Number (17 Digits or IL SOS Assigned Serial) *:

SECTION C: IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES (TRANSFEROR & TRANSFEREE)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

IL Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

SECTION D: FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION & PAYMENT TERMS

Total Price (USD) *:

Date of Sale *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift/Trade

STATUTORY "AS-IS" DISCLAIMER (ILLINOIS UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE 810 ILCS 5/2-316): This trailer is bargained, sold, and conveyed strictly in "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER LATENT OR PATENT. The Seller expressly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including any warranty of merchantability, roadworthiness, frame structural integrity, axle alignment, wheel bearings, suspension, tire condition, hitch coupler safety, or wiring systems. Buyer acknowledges having had the full opportunity to inspect the trailer or having knowingly waived this right. Seller certifies under penalty of perjury under Illinois law (720 ILCS 5/32-2) that Seller is lawful owner with clear legal title free of all liens.

SECTION E: AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES & AFFIDAVIT

Seller (Transferor) Signature

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

SECTION F: STATE OF ILLINOIS NOTARY PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF:

On this _____ day of ________________, 2026, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared the Seller and/or Buyer named above, known or proven through government-issued photo identification to be the person(s) whose name(s) are subscribed to this trailer bill of sale, and acknowledged executing the same for the purposes and consideration expressed.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal
/ Stamp Here Illinois SOS & IDOR Compliant

FORM SBF-IL-TRL (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com 625 ILCS 5/3-101, 5/3-815 • IDOR Form RUT-50 Private Vehicle/Trailer Tax PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) 3-Step Trailer Registration & Titling Guide

Learn how to legally transfer trailer ownership in Illinois, understand mandatory titling under 625 ILCS 5/3-101, comply with TA/TB weight plate tiers, and satisfy IDOR Form RUT-50 tax obligations.

Execute Title & Form SBF-IL-TRL

The seller signs the assignment on the original Illinois Certificate of Title. Both parties execute this statutory Bill of Sale documenting trailer weight specs, purchase price, and the statutory AS-IS warranty disclaimer.

Mandatory Plate Removal

Under 625 ILCS 5/3-501, trailer license plates DO NOT transfer to the buyer. The seller must remove and retain their license plate. The seller files Form VSD-703 (Seller's Report) to terminate liability.

SOS Facility Registration & Tax

Within 20 calendar days (625 ILCS 5/3-116), the buyer visits an SOS facility with the title, Bill of Sale, Application Form VSD-190, and completed IDOR Form RUT-50 to receive new TA, TB, or TC trailer plates.

Statutory Summary

Illinois Trailer Transfer Legal Requirements

Document / Requirement	Governing Authority	Status	Statutory Purpose
Mandatory Trailer Titling	625 ILCS 5/3-101	Mandatory	Illinois requires a formal Certificate of Title for all trailers (utility, boat, equipment, cargo, and homemade).
License Plate Weight Tiers (TA/TB/TC)	625 ILCS 5/3-815	Statutory Classes	TA plates cover up to 3,000 lbs GVWR; TB plates cover 3,001–5,000 lbs; TC plates cover 5,001–8,000 lbs.
Mandatory License Plate Removal	625 ILCS 5/3-501	Mandatory (Seller)	Plates belong to the seller and must never be given to the buyer; protects seller from tollway violations.
Private Trailer Tax (Form RUT-50)	35 ILCS 105/ & IDOR	Mandatory (Buyer)	Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Return filed with IDOR to assess sales tax based on transaction value.
20-Day Transfer Deadline	625 ILCS 5/3-116	20 Calendar Days	Statutory window within which buyer must submit title transfer application and taxes to avoid late fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Illinois Trailer Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

Do trailers have titles in Illinois?

What are Illinois TA and TB trailer license plates?

Do trailer license plates stay with the trailer in Illinois?

Does an Illinois trailer bill of sale need to be notarized?

What is required to register a homemade trailer in Illinois?