Illinois Form VSD 820 Hearing Impaired Certification

Illinois Form VSD 820 Hearing Impaired Certification – Residents of Illinois who have a qualifying hearing disability can apply for special Hearing Impaired License Plates through the Illinois Secretary of State. The key document required is Form VSD 820 — Certification for Hearing Impaired License Plates. This official form verifies eligibility and must be submitted with supporting documentation. This guide explains who qualifies, how to complete the form, current fees, and where to submit your application, based on information from the Illinois Secretary of State.

What Is Form VSD 820?

Form VSD 820 is the official Illinois Secretary of State certification used to apply for Hearing Impaired License Plates. These special plates identify the vehicle owner as having a significant hearing disability. The form is processed exclusively by the Non-Standard Plates Section in Springfield and is not available for vanity or personalized combinations.

You can download the current version of the form directly from the official Illinois Secretary of State website:

Download Form VSD 820 (PDF)

Eligibility Requirements for Hearing Impaired License Plates

To qualify, applicants must meet the definition of a Type Four hearing disability under Section 4A of the Illinois Identification Card Act (15 ILCS 335). The law defines a hearing disability as:

“A hearing disability is a disability resulting in the complete absence of hearing or hearing that with sound enhancing or magnifying equipment is so impaired as to require the use of sensory input other than hearing as the means of receiving spoken language.”

Eligible vehicles include passenger vehicles, B-trucks and vans weighing 8,000 pounds or less, and sport utility vehicles. Motorcycle plates are also available under separate fee schedules. Only one set of plates is allowed per applicant.

How to Complete Form VSD 820?

The form has two main sections:

Section A — Completed by the applicant. Provide your full name, address, daytime telephone number, and signature with the date.
Section B — Verification of hearing impairment. Only one of the following three options is required:

Submit a legible photocopy of your Illinois Disabled Persons Identification Card showing an “H” classification, along with the ID number and expiration date.
Have a representative of the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) complete and sign the form if you are currently a DORS client.
Have a licensed physician complete and sign the medical certification section, including diagnosis, license number, address, and phone number.

The physician or DORS representative must certify that the applicant meets the statutory definition of a hearing disability.

Required Documents and Submission Process

Along with the completed Form VSD 820, include the appropriate registration fees and any supporting verification documents. Applications can only be processed in Springfield. You may apply in person or by mail.

Mailing Address:
Secretary of State
Non-Standard Plates Section
501 S. Second St., Rm. 532
Springfield, IL 62756

For questions, contact the Non-Standard Plate Section at 217-785-4175. Forms are also available at local Driver Services facilities or on the official Illinois Secretary of State publications page.

Current Fees for Hearing Impaired License Plates

Fees vary depending on whether the vehicle is newly acquired or already titled, and whether current plates are expiring soon. According to the official Hearing Impaired License Plates Fact Sheet (VSD 823):

Newly-acquired vehicle, first-time issuance — $316 ($165 title fee + $151 registration fee)
Currently titled vehicle, first-time issuance — $151
Current plates expire within 90 days — $180 ($151 registration + $29 replacement)
Current plates do not expire within 90 days — $29 (replacement fee only)
Annual renewal — $151

Motorcycle fees differ and an additional $100 fee applies to electric vehicles. These plates are eligible for the Benefit Access Program. Always verify current fees on the official Illinois Secretary of State website, as amounts can change.

Important Notes and Additional Resources

Hearing Impaired License Plates use staggered annual renewals and must be renewed through the Springfield office. They are not available in vanity or personalized formats. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer to the official sources:

Using the correct form and providing complete verification helps ensure faster processing of your Hearing Impaired License Plates application with the Illinois Secretary of State.