llinois SOS Form VSD 931 Natural Disaster Affidavit – Illinois vehicle buyers, new vehicle dealers, and rental owners need clear guidance when vehicles come from areas affected by natural disasters or hurricanes. Form VSD 931, issued by the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS), provides a streamlined way for qualified parties to affirm that a vehicle did not suffer significant flood or disaster-related damage. This article explains what the form is, who may use it, how it works, key requirements, and where to download the official document.
What Is Illinois Form VSD 931?
Form VSD 931 is the official “Affidavit in Lieu of Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement.” It is published by the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department. The form allows licensed new vehicle dealers and certain rental owners to certify that a vehicle previously located in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-designated natural disaster or hurricane-affected area has not sustained damage from that event—or that any damage was less than 25 percent of the vehicle’s fair market value.
The affidavit may be used instead of the standard Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement (Form VSD 694 / VSD 694.5). A completed copy of VSD 931 must accompany the application for an Illinois certificate of title when the vehicle is sold to an Illinois buyer.
Official source: Illinois Secretary of State Form VSD 931 PDF.
Who Can Use Form VSD 931?
Use of this form is strictly limited. Only the following parties may complete and submit it:
- New vehicle dealers licensed under Section 5-101 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/5-101).
- Rental owners as defined in Section 3-400 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/3-400).
Private sellers, used-vehicle dealers, and ordinary title applicants cannot use VSD 931. Those parties must use the notarized Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement (VSD 694) when required.
The form is available on the official Illinois Secretary of State forms page: Title and Registration Publications and Forms.
Purpose of the Affidavit and When It Applies
When a vehicle was titled or registered in a geographic area later designated by FEMA as a natural disaster or hurricane-affected zone, Illinois law requires disclosure of any resulting damage before a clean (unbranded) Illinois title can be issued.
Form VSD 931 lets qualified dealers and rental owners affirm:
- The vehicle was (or was not) present in a FEMA-designated area.
- It sustained no flood- or hurricane-related physical or water damage, or
- Any such damage was less than 25 percent of the vehicle’s fair market value at the time.
If damage equals or exceeds 25 percent of fair market value, Form VSD 931 cannot be used. Instead, an application for a title carrying a flood brand (or salvage certificate with flood designation) is required under the Illinois Vehicle Code.
The Illinois Secretary of State reserves the right to request additional documentation or to verify vehicle history through third-party systems (such as NMVTIS or NICB databases) to ensure proper title branding.
How to Complete Form VSD 931?
The form is a fillable PDF. Download it, open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader, and complete the following sections:
- New Vehicle Dealer / Rental Owner Information — Name of dealership or rental owner, new dealer number (if applicable), full Illinois address, telephone number, email address, and name of the authorized representative.
- Vehicle Information — Year, make, model, color, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and the name and registered address of the current (or previous) owner.
- Yes/No Questions
- Was the vehicle 10 model years old or less at the time of the natural disaster or hurricane?
- Was the vehicle present in a FEMA-designated natural disaster or hurricane-affected area?
- If yes, did the vehicle sustain any physical or water damage due to the event?
- If damage occurred, state the approximate percentage of fair market value.
- Certification — The authorized agent prints their name, signs, lists their position, and dates the form. The signer affirms under penalty of perjury that the information is true and that damage (if any) was less than 25 percent of fair market value.
Important note on the form: This affidavit is not a warranty against normal wear and tear, mechanical issues, structural problems, or manufacturer recalls.
A copy of the completed affidavit must be provided to the Illinois buyer before the sale is finalized and must accompany the title application.
Liability and Legal Consequences
Dealers and rental owners who use Form VSD 931 accept significant responsibility. If an Illinois buyer relies on the affirmation and later discovers flood- or disaster-related damage, the dealer or rental owner is liable for the buyer’s repairs, costs, damages, and related expenses.
Knowingly making a false statement on the form is punishable under Illinois law (penalty of perjury). Improper title branding can also lead to sanctions against a dealer’s license under Section 5-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
For consumer protection information regarding flood-damaged vehicles, see resources from the Illinois Attorney General’s office and the Illinois Secretary of State.
Related Forms and Illinois Requirements
The standard form used by most applicants (owners or insurance companies) is the Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement:
Form VSD 694 – Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement (requires notarization).
Illinois defines a “flood vehicle” as one submerged to the point that water rose over the door sill and entered the passenger or trunk compartment (625 ILCS 5/3-117.1). Additional rules appear in Illinois Administrative Code Title 92, Section 1010.195, covering vehicles previously titled in flooded areas.
Always check the official Illinois Secretary of State website for the most current versions of forms and any temporary procedures following major disasters.
How to Download Form VSD 931?
The official, fillable PDF is available directly from the Illinois Secretary of State:
Download Illinois Form VSD 931 – Affidavit in Lieu of Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement
Forms should be downloaded to your computer before filling them out. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader for best results. The form is also listed on the official Title and Registration Publications and Forms page: https://www.ilsos.gov/publications/motorist/titlereg.html.
Key Takeaways for Illinois Residents and Dealers
- Form VSD 931 is restricted to licensed new vehicle dealers and defined rental owners.
- It substitutes for the notarized Natural Disaster Disclosure Statement only when damage is under 25 percent of fair market value (or there is no damage).
- The affirming party remains liable to the Illinois buyer for undisclosed disaster-related damage.
- The Secretary of State may independently verify vehicle history and require proper branding.
- Always use the official PDF from ilsos.gov to ensure you have the current version.
For questions about title applications involving vehicles from disaster areas, contact the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department or visit the official website at ilsos.gov. Buyers are encouraged to obtain independent vehicle history reports (including NMVTIS) before purchase.