Working with people who buy cars at auctions for the last 20 years I would say the majority don't title the cars in their name, they put them in a file and skip them until they have a need to put them in their name. Most have a some kind of car dealership where they get plates to drive them or simply title them in free states like Montana, I have seen it a million times...

sos office in jerseyville,ill says that to get an ill title to the car you need a bill of sale and a transferable registration form filled out by the seller.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Non-state residents can obtain titles in Montana?

The auction houses will also step in and post a bond to satisfy the state which will then issue an "ASSIGNED VIN" to the vehicle. At least BJ and Mecum did in two cases I know about. Their contracts with the buyer GUARNTEE the ability to title the vehicle or they will be liable to take the vehicle back with all costs incurred. That by the way is the ONLY thing they Guarantee.

My title quest started with a call to insurance agent to get to a bond to get a title for my 68, but per my agents request I called Silvis Il dmv that's when they said I could get a title in Il with a B.O.S as long as it had all the info on it. and that's what I did

Interesting, the collar counties around Chicago WILL NOT do this! I have been to every county around Chicago all the way to Rockford and all I got from them was to start a bonded title which takes about three years and 10% cash down with what they deem the vehicle is worth...

I've bonded a few vehicles in IL (the last one 2 years ago). I don't believe a bonded title would be required on this one. A good title agency makes things go much more smoothly.

There are even good Secretary of State offices that are helpful, as long as your not doing things like this a lot. Usually you have to talk with the right person at that office, and you need to have exactly what you need before the process can start. Its often easier to ask the right person at those good offices what you need to get the job done before you start the process, then come in later with everything the State requires.. With IL, there may be several forms needed, and matching dates on all the forms (within a specific time frame) are often required. You want to ask the person helping you what forms are needed, who has to fill them out, and what forms may need the same date on them. Bring in the correct forms, with the correct person having filled them out, with the correct dates on them. Pictures as well if needed.

Want a title? Jump through their hoops! Then be very friendly about it all with the person trying to help you. Its most likely not the person you are dealing with, but the stupid state that causes the problem. When it comes to titles, most of the stuff the state requires won't make much sense, but you have to do it their dumb way.

Interesting, I would have thought Rockford might be ok. But definitely get out of the Chicagoland area, out to real midwest where people want to help each other would be my advice as well.

I'm another 30 miles west of Rockford, 100 miles west of chitcago. I don't expect much help from the SOS even out here either, but some of the smaller tows have some people that are willing to help. You really need a small town SOS office with a person that is experienced with dealing with non-uniform title issues.
We have a very good licensing and title place here that has been extremely effective for me, but like I said, you still have to jump through the states hoops to get it done.