Illinois Form VSD 694 Natural Disaster Disclosure – If you are applying for an Illinois vehicle title on a car, truck, or other motor vehicle that was previously registered or titled in an area declared a natural disaster by the federal government, you will likely need Form VSD 694. This official Illinois Secretary of State document is the Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement. It helps protect buyers and ensures transparency about possible flood, water, or other disaster-related damage before a clean (unbranded) Illinois Certificate of Title is issued.
This guide explains what Form VSD 694 is, when it is required, how to complete it, related Illinois vehicle laws, and where to download the official PDF. Information is based on current guidance from the Illinois Secretary of State (ILSOS) and Illinois administrative rules.
What Is Illinois Form VSD 694?
Form VSD 694 is the Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement issued by the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department. The form requires the applicant to disclose whether a vehicle sustained damage from a natural disaster such as flooding, hurricanes, or other federally declared events.
According to the form itself (version VSD 694.6, printed October 2022), it must be completed by the applicant to disclose whether the vehicle sustained damage resulting from a natural disaster. The applicant affirms the information under penalty of perjury and requests issuance of an Illinois clean title.
Key sections on the form include:
- Vehicle information: year, make, VIN, and where the vehicle was purchased
- Disclosure checkboxes stating whether the vehicle was not in a natural disaster area, sustained no physical or water damage, or sustained only minor damage (with percentage estimates)
- Applicant name, signature, date, and address
- Notary public acknowledgment (state, county, signature, and date)
The form also includes an important disclaimer: Upon issuance of an unbranded Certificate of Title, the Office of the Secretary of State or its authorized agents assumes no responsibility or liability for any vehicle found to have actually sustained damages.
You can download the official fillable PDF directly from the Illinois Secretary of State:
Download Form VSD 694 Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement (PDF)
When Is Form VSD 694 Required?
The Illinois Secretary of State requires a completed, notarized, and signed Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement for any vehicle currently in or brought into Illinois that is to be titled from a county or state declared a natural disaster by the federal government. This must be done by either the registered owner or the insurance company representing the vehicle before a clean, unbranded Illinois Certificate of Title will be issued.
If you are a self-insured entity, that fact must be stated on the form, and the insurance company section can be disregarded.
Illinois administrative rules (Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92, § 1010.195) further outline procedures for vehicles previously titled in areas flooded as a result of a natural disaster. A “flooded area” generally means a geographic area declared a natural disaster by state or federal officials that flooded to a depth exceeding one foot over more than one square mile.
In practice, the Secretary of State checks the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) database and may review National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) data. If the vehicle is not flagged as flood-damaged but was last registered in a flooded county, the disclosure statement is typically required. Without it, the vehicle may receive a salvage certificate branded “flood.”
These procedures are generally applied for up to 12 months after the natural disaster declaration date.
How to Complete Form VSD 694?
Follow these steps carefully:
- Download the official form from the Illinois Secretary of State website (link above).
- Fill in vehicle details: year, make, VIN, and place of purchase.
- Check the appropriate boxes regarding whether the vehicle was in a natural disaster area and the extent of any water or physical damage (including approximate percentages for minor damage that did not result in a total loss).
- Print your name, sign, date the form, and provide your address.
- Have the form notarized. The notary completes the acknowledgment section with state, county, date, and signature.
- Submit the completed and notarized form with your Illinois title application and any other required documents and fees to the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department.
Honesty is essential. False statements are made under penalty of perjury. The form is designed to support issuance of a clean title only when the disclosed information supports that outcome.
Related Illinois Rules for Flood and Natural Disaster Vehicles
Illinois law specifically defines a “flood vehicle.” Under the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/3-117.1(b)(5)), any vehicle submerged in water to the point that rising water reached over the door sill and entered the passenger or trunk compartment is designated a flood vehicle.
Additional branding rules apply:
- If repair costs (including labor) exceed a statutory percentage of the vehicle’s pre-damage fair market value, a salvage certificate with a “flood” designation is typically required.
- The flood brand remains conspicuously on subsequent titles.
- Owners or possessors of qualifying flood or salvage-flood vehicles must apply for the appropriate title.
Dealers have additional responsibilities. New vehicle dealers and certain rental owners may use Form VSD 931 (Affidavit in Lieu of Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement) in limited situations when a vehicle was in a FEMA-designated natural disaster or hurricane-affected area but sustained no (or very limited) damage. This alternative form is not available to private individuals.
Official forms and publications are listed on the Illinois Secretary of State Title and Registration Publications page:
Illinois SOS Title and Registration Forms
Why This Form Matters for Buyers and Sellers in the USA?
Natural disaster and flood damage can cause long-term mechanical, electrical, and safety issues that are not always immediately visible. Corrosion, contaminated fluids, damaged wiring, and mold are common concerns. A branded title or proper disclosure helps buyers make informed decisions and protects the integrity of the Illinois title system.
For out-of-state vehicles moving into Illinois after major flooding or storms, Form VSD 694 is a key compliance step. Always verify the vehicle’s history through reliable sources such as NMVTIS-based reports in addition to the disclosure statement.
Contact the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department for the most current requirements or if you have questions about a specific vehicle:
Illinois Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. Second St., Rm. 009
Springfield, IL 62756
Website: ilsos.gov
Key Takeaways
- Form VSD 694 is required for many vehicles coming from federally declared natural disaster areas before Illinois will issue a clean title.
- It must be completed, signed, and notarized by the owner or insurer.
- Accurate disclosure of water or physical damage is mandatory under penalty of perjury.
- Flood vehicles receive special branding under Illinois law that follows the title permanently.
- Download the official form only from the Illinois Secretary of State to ensure you have the current version.
Always check the official Illinois Secretary of State website for the latest forms, fees, and procedures, as requirements can be updated following major disaster declarations.
Official download: Illinois Form VSD 694 – Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement (PDF)