Registration renewal notices are mailed to each vehicle owner about 6 to 8 weeks before the vehicle's registration expiration date. The vehicle owner may renew any time during the two months before the expiration month and the expiration month.

NOTE: As of Jan 2016, due to the lack of a state budget, the Secretary of State's office has suspended the mailing of vehicle registration renewal reminder notices.  Be aware of your expiration date.  You may sign up for Online Renewal Reminders on the CyberDriveIllinois site.  We highly recommend this.

Renewing Online

Renewing online is the easiest way to renew your registration.  

You must meet certain eligibility requirements.  If any of the following are true, you may NOT renew online.

  • The vehicle information on your current registration is not correct.
  • The renewal sticker needs to be mailed to an out of state address.
  • You would like to switch to a different license plate type.
  • You want to change the spacing on your license plate.
  • You participate in a Benefit Access Program.

What you need to register online

  • Registration ID and PIN which should be on your current registration card.  If you cannot find it, you can call the Public Inquiry Division at 800-252-8980 to obtain your ID and PIN.
  • Insurance company name, policy number and expiration date
  • Payment to be made using an electronic check or Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express cards only.
  • A $2.25 fee paid to the payment processors will be collected.

Visit the Online Renewal Site to complete your renewal.  It is recommended that your do this before 30 days before your expiration date so that you will receive the new stickers before your expiration date.

Renewal by Mail Without a Notice

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. 011
Springfield, IL 62756-6666

Standard processing time is 30 days.

Renew In Person

When renewing by person you should bring the following to your local Secretary of State (SOS) office:

  • Either your renewal notice or information that identifies your ownership of the car such as
    • License plate number
    • Vehicle Identification Number
    • Registration receipt from previous year

Currency exchanges and participating banks also process registration renewals, and some will accept last year's registration card in lieu of the renewal form.

 

For details about any registration matter, you can read the Title and Registration Information on the CyberDriveIllinois site.