Illinois VSD 896 Affirmation of Appraisal Guide – If you need to obtain an Illinois vehicle title without standard ownership documents, Form VSD 896 — Affirmation of Appraisal plays a critical role. Issued by the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department, this form provides an official affirmation of a vehicle’s current wholesale value. It is most commonly required when applying for a bonded title under Illinois law.
This guide explains what Form VSD 896 is, when you need it, who is qualified to complete it, how to fill it out correctly, and where to download the official version. All information is based on current official Illinois Secretary of State resources and administrative rules.
What Is Illinois Form VSD 896?
Form VSD 896 is the official “Affirmation of Appraisal” used by the Illinois Secretary of State. The current revision is dated April 2026 (VSD 896.2). On this form, a qualified, disinterested appraiser affirms the current wholesale value of a vehicle under penalties of perjury.
Wholesale value is defined as the trade-in value of a vehicle or the value of a vehicle sold between licensed dealers (not the retail or retail asking price). The form also requires the appraiser to indicate whether the vehicle is intact with all major component parts present and installed, or whether the appraisal applies to an incomplete, salvage, or junk vehicle.
The completed form is submitted as supporting documentation when standard proof of ownership (such as a properly assigned Certificate of Title) cannot be surrendered with a title application.
When Is the Affirmation of Appraisal Required?
Form VSD 896 (or an equivalent qualifying appraisal) is required primarily when applying for a Certificate of Title by bond under 625 ILCS 5/3-109 and the related administrative rules in 92 Ill. Admin. Code Part 1010.
A bonded title is available when an applicant cannot surrender standard ownership documents. Common situations include informal purchases where the seller never provided a title, long-lost paperwork, or other cases where clear title documentation is unavailable.
Key points from the official Illinois Secretary of State Fact Sheet on Titles Obtained by Bond (RT OPR 26):
- The bond amount must equal one and one-half (1½) times the current wholesale value stated on the appraisal.
- Applicants may choose a surety bond or a cash bond.
- The appraisal supports the bond amount and helps protect prior owners, lienholders, and subsequent purchasers.
Important restriction: A bond (and therefore Form VSD 896) cannot be used to obtain titles on abandoned vehicles, repossessions, mechanic’s liens, or estates, or to remove a lienholder.
Who Can Complete Form VSD 896?
Illinois law requires the appraisal to come from a disinterested person of suitable qualifications. Acceptable appraisers include:
- A licensed new or used vehicle dealer (including motorcycle, mobile home, and trailer dealers)
- A licensed rebuilder (for salvage or junk vehicles only)
- A licensed real estate agent (for mobile homes only)
- An officer of an antique vehicle club or association (for antique vehicles only)
Licensed Illinois dealers cannot appraise their own vehicles. The appraisal must come from a disinterested, qualified party. Alternatively, the appraisal may be taken from a used vehicle price guide (with copies of the front cover and pertinent pages) or a printout from a recognized online valuation source, provided it meets the required content standards.
How to Fill Out Form VSD 896?
The official form is straightforward. Complete every required field accurately:
- State the wholesale value of the vehicle.
- Check the appropriate box: either “The vehicle is intact and all major component parts are present and installed” or “The appraisal applies to an (circle one) incomplete, salvage or junk vehicle.”
- Enter the vehicle’s Year, Make, Model, and full Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Provide the appraiser’s License Number, Date of Appraisal, and Firm Name.
- Have the appraiser sign and print their name and enter their address.
- The form includes the statement: “I affirm that the appraisal value is accurate to the best of my knowledge under the penalties of perjury.”
Incomplete or inaccurate forms can delay or result in rejection of a bonded title application. The Secretary of State retains the right to question any appraisal that appears inappropriate for the transaction.
How to Download Form VSD 896?
Download the official, current version of Form VSD 896 directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website:
Download Illinois Form VSD 896 — Affirmation of Appraisal (PDF)
Forms are provided as fillable PDFs. Download the file to your computer and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader for best results. The form is also listed on the official Title and Registration Publications and Forms page maintained by the Illinois Secretary of State.
Submitting Form VSD 896 With a Bonded Title Application
Along with the completed Affirmation of Appraisal, applicants typically must submit:
- Evidence of the right to acquire title (bill of sale, receipt, canceled check, or a notarized statement explaining how the vehicle was acquired if other evidence is unavailable)
- A properly completed surety bond or cash bond in the amount of 1½ times the appraised wholesale value
- Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (Form VSD 190) and the applicable title fee
- Required Illinois Department of Revenue tax forms and payment
- A lien release if a lienholder appears on prior records
All bonded title documents must be submitted to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Titles Division
Attn: Bonded Titles
698 Howlett Building
501 S. Second St.
Springfield, IL 62756-7000
Secretary of State facilities and remitters cannot process or issue plates or temporary permits on bond applications. Plates are issued only after the bond is approved.
For questions about bonded titles, contact the Illinois Secretary of State at 217-782-9796. For general questions about Form VSD 896, the Titles Division can be reached at 217-558-4762.
Important Notes and Common Mistakes
- Use only the current official form (April 2026 revision or later).
- Ensure the appraiser is properly qualified and disinterested.
- The value stated must be wholesale, not retail.
- Incomplete checkboxes or missing VIN information frequently cause delays.
- Keep copies of everything submitted for your records.
For the most up-to-date requirements, always refer to the official Illinois Secretary of State website at ilsos.gov and the Fact Sheet on Titles Obtained by Bond.
Conclusion
Illinois Secretary of State Form VSD 896 — Affirmation of Appraisal is an essential document for anyone seeking a bonded vehicle title when standard ownership paperwork is unavailable. By ensuring the form is completed by a qualified appraiser and submitted with the required supporting documents, applicants can move forward with obtaining clear title through the official bonded title process.
Download the official Form VSD 896 today and follow the current Illinois Secretary of State guidelines to complete your application correctly the first time.
Official download: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/vsd896.pdf