CHAPTER 4 - ANTI-THEFT LAWS

625 ILCS 5/4-105

Sec. 4-105. Offenses relating to disposition of titles and registration.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/4-105
Offense Description
Unlawful altering, forging or counterfeiting of any title documents or evidence of registration
Offense Classification
Class A Misdemeanor, Class 3 Felony
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/4-105 (Unlawful altering, forging or counterfeiting of any title documents or evidence of registration) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor, Class 3 Felony. Statutory sentencing scope: 2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class A Misdemeanor, Class 3 Felony

2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000

Court Appearance Mandate Rule 551 Mandatory Court

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Presumptive Pretrial Release

Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Class A Misdemeanor, Class 3 Felony
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 8085, 8086, 8087, 8088, 8089, 8090, 8092, 8095
Search in Live Workstation ➔ Official ILGA Statute (ilga.gov) ->

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (8)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Unlawful altering, forging or counterfeiting of any title documents or evidence of registration 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(1) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(1) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8085 ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful altering, forging or counterfeiting of an assignment of any title documents 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(2) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(2) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8086 ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful altering, forging or counterfeiting of the release of a security interest on any title document 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(3) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(3) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8087 ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful altering, forging or counterfeiting of any application for title documents or evidence of registration 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(4) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(4) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8088 ILGA.gov ->
Use of false or fictitious name or address, or use of stolen, altered, forged or counterfeit manufacturer’s identification number, or failure to disclose a security interest, or concealment of any material fact on any application for title documents or evidence of registration, or fraud in connection with any application under this act 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(5) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(5) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8089 ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful possession of blank Illinois Certificate of Title paper 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(6) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(6) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8090 ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful surrender of title in exchange for title deleting or changing “SV,” “Rebuilt,” odometer or other information 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(7) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(7) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8092 ILGA.gov ->
Title fraud by alteration or deletion of any information required on a title document; second or subsequent conviction – Class 3 felony 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(3) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-105(a)(3) -> Class 3 Felony Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8095 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 4-105. Offenses relating to disposition of titles and registration.

(a)

(a) It is a violation of this Chapter for:

1. a person to alter, forge, or counterfeit any manufacturer's statement of origin, certificate of title, salvage certificate, junking certificate, display certificate, registration sticker or digital registration sticker, registration card, or temporary registration permit; 2. a person to alter, forge, or counterfeit an assignment of any manufacturer's statement of origin, certificate of title, salvage certificate or junking certificate; 3. a person to alter, forge, or counterfeit a release of a security interest on any manufacturer's statement of origin, certificate of title, salvage certificate or junking certificate; 4. a person to alter, forge, or counterfeit an application for any certificate of title, salvage certificate, junking certificate, display certificate, registration sticker or digital registration sticker, registration card, temporary registration permit or license plate; 5. a person to use a false or fictitious name or address or altered, forged, counterfeited or stolen manufacturer's identification number, or make a material false statement, or fail to disclose a security interest, or conceal any other material fact on any application for any manufacturer's statement of origin, certificate of title, junking certificate, salvage certificate, registration card, license plate or digital license plate, temporary registration permit, or registration sticker or digital registration sticker, or commit a fraud in connection with any application under this Act; 6. an unauthorized person to have in his possession a blank Illinois certificate of title paper; 7. a person to surrender or cause to be surrendered any certificate of title, salvage or junking certificate in exchange for a certificate of title or other title document from any other state or foreign jurisdiction for the purpose of changing or deleting an "S.V." or "REBUILT" notation, odometer reading, or any other information contained on such Illinois certificate. (b) Sentence. A person convicted of a violation of this Section shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.

(Source: P.A. 101-395, eff. 8-16-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/4-105 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/4-105 (Unlawful altering, forging or counterfeiting of any title documents or evidence of registration) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor, Class 3 Felony.

Sentencing Scope: 2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/4-105 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

Mandatory Personal Appearance Required: Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/4-105 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 625 ILCS 5/4-105?

Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Official Legal Citation Formats

Legal & Academic Reference

Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.

Illinois Supreme Court Citation 625 ILCS 5/4-105 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/4-105 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-4-105
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes
625 ILCS 5/4-102
Rule 551

Damage to a vehicle or unlawful removal of any part of a vehicle

Class A Misdemeanor
625 ILCS 5/4-103
Rule 551

Unlawful possession, sale, disposal or concealment of a vehicle or essential part knowing it to have been stolen or converted

Class 2 Felony
625 ILCS 5/4-103.1
Rule 551

Vehicle theft conspiracy

Class 2 Felony
625 ILCS 5/4-103.2
Rule 551

Unlawful possession of 3 or more vehicles, 3 or more essential parts from different vehicles, to receive, possess, conceal, sell, dispose of or transfer those vehicles or parts knowing they are stolen or converted

Class 2 Felony