Illinois Form VSD 775: Beneficiary Affidavit Guide – When a vehicle owner in Illinois dies and has named a transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary on the title, ownership normally passes directly to that person. But what happens if the estate cannot find the beneficiary? The Illinois Secretary of State provides a specific solution: Form VSD 775 — Beneficiary Affidavit — Unable to Locate. This official form allows the estate to document diligent efforts to locate the missing beneficiary and proceed with the sale or transfer of the vehicle under Illinois law.
What Is Illinois Form VSD 775?
Form VSD 775 is the official “Unable to Locate Beneficiary Affidavit” issued by the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department, Titles Division. It is used exclusively by the estate of a deceased sole vehicle owner when the named beneficiary listed on the Illinois Certificate of Title cannot be found despite exhaustive efforts.
According to the form itself, it must be used “by the estate upon the death of a vehicle owner when unable to locate the beneficiary.” The current version (March 2026 — VSD 775.2 ADA) is available as a fillable PDF from the official Illinois Secretary of State website.
Download the official form here: Illinois Secretary of State Form VSD 775 PDF.
When Is Form VSD 775 Required?
Illinois allows a sole individual vehicle owner (with no lienholder and not held in joint tenancy) to name one beneficiary on the title. Upon the owner’s death, ownership passes automatically to that beneficiary. The beneficiary then applies for a new title using Form VSD 774 (Beneficiary Claim Form), a certified death certificate, and other standard documents.
However, if the executor or legal representative of the estate cannot locate the named beneficiary, Illinois administrative rules require completion of a notarized Unable to Locate Beneficiary Affidavit. This is explicitly stated in Title 92 of the Illinois Administrative Code, Section 1010.150(d)(5):
“If the executor cannot locate the beneficiary upon death of the vehicle owner, the executor will be required to complete a notarized Unable to Locate Beneficiary Affidavit stating the fact that they have exhausted all resources to locate the beneficiary.”
Form VSD 775 is the official document that fulfills this requirement. It is typically used when the estate intends to sell the vehicle after demonstrating that reasonable search efforts have failed.
Key Requirements Affirmed on Form VSD 775
The affidavit requires the undersigned (usually the estate representative or seller) to affirm four critical points under oath:
- Exhaustive search — The estate of the deceased sole owner has exhausted all resources in locating the named beneficiary. The form requires the Illinois Title Number, the beneficiary’s full name, and last known address.
- Certified mail notice — A notice was sent by certified mail at least 30 days before the sale of the vehicle to the beneficiary’s last known address.
- Newspaper publication — Notice was published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper circulated in the Illinois county where the estate is being probated, as required by Illinois law. The form asks for the newspaper name and the county of publication.
- Sale of the vehicle — The vehicle will be sold. The purchaser’s printed name(s) and address must be listed.
In addition, federal and state law require an odometer disclosure. The seller must certify the mileage or check the appropriate box if the reading is not the actual mileage or exceeds mechanical limits. False odometer statements can result in fines or imprisonment.
Both the seller (estate representative) and the purchaser must sign the form. The seller also acknowledges that they assume all liability and costs for any litigation that may arise from the sale of the vehicle. The completed form must be notarized.
How to Complete and Submit Form VSD 775?
Follow these steps carefully:
- Download the current fillable PDF from the official Illinois Secretary of State site: Form VSD 775 — Unable to Locate Beneficiary Affidavit.
- Fill in the vehicle description: year, make, model, body type, and complete Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Provide the Illinois Title Number and the beneficiary’s name and last known address.
- Document the certified mail notice and the three-week newspaper publication details.
- Enter the purchaser’s name and address.
- Complete the odometer certification section accurately.
- Have both the seller and purchaser sign the form.
- Have the form notarized (“Subscribed and sworn to before me…”).
- Submit the completed, notarized Form VSD 775 together with any other required title transfer documents (such as the application for title, death certificate, and applicable fees) to the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department, Titles Division, 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756, or at an authorized facility.
For the best results, download the form to your computer and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader, as recommended by the Illinois Secretary of State.
Related Illinois Forms and Resources
Form VSD 775 is part of a family of beneficiary-related documents. Related official forms include:
- VSD 773 — Beneficiary Affidavit (used to add, change, or remove a beneficiary while the owner is alive)
- VSD 774 — Beneficiary Claim Form (used by a located beneficiary to claim the vehicle after the owner’s death)
- VSD 275 — Estates — Facts About Vehicle Title Transfers (helpful overview publication)
You can find the complete list of title and registration forms on the official Illinois Secretary of State publications page: Title and Registration Publications and Forms.
For questions, contact the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department, Titles Division at 217-785-3000 or visit ilsos.gov.
Important Legal Notes for U.S. Residents
Form VSD 775 is specific to Illinois. Other states have different procedures for handling missing transfer-on-death beneficiaries on vehicle titles. Always use the most current official form from the Illinois Secretary of State, as versions are updated periodically (the current form is dated March 2026).
This article provides general information based on official Illinois sources and is not legal advice. Estate representatives should consult an Illinois-licensed attorney or contact the Secretary of State directly for case-specific guidance, especially regarding probate requirements, tax forms payable to the Illinois Department of Revenue, and potential liability assumptions under the affidavit.
Conclusion
Illinois Form VSD 775 — Beneficiary Affidavit — Unable to Locate gives estate representatives a clear, structured path when a named vehicle beneficiary cannot be found. By documenting exhaustive search efforts, certified mail notice, and newspaper publication, and by assuming liability for the sale, the estate can move forward with transferring or selling the vehicle in compliance with Illinois law.
Download the official form today from the Illinois Secretary of State: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/vsd775.pdf. Completing it accurately and having it properly notarized helps protect both the estate and the new owner while fulfilling state requirements.