Illinois is moving away from paper vehicle titles as the state expands its Electronic Lien and Titling (ELT) program.
Under the new policy, by July 1, 2026, any financial institution that processes five or more liens per year in Illinois must transition to the electronic system.
State officials say the shift to digital records will:
Reduce mailing and document storage costs
Shorten processing times
Provide real-time visibility into lien and title records
Improve security and reduce fraud risks
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said the change modernizes vehicle services and removes long-standing delays. For consumers, the biggest impact comes after paying off a vehicle loan. Lenders can release titles immediately, eliminating paperwork, mail delays, and many in-person visits. Officials say this will make selling, trading in, or refinancing vehicles significantly faster.
