Who issues a mobile home title in Illinois?

The Illinois Secretary of State. A manufactured home is generally covered by a certificate of title issued under the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5), the same office that handles vehicle titles. This is general information, not advice about a specific title — consider consulting a licensed attorney in Illinois.

How does an Illinois manufactured home become real property?

Through surrender of the title. Under 625 ILCS 5/3-116.2, an owner whose home is 'permanently affixed to real property' may 'surrender the certificate of title to the manufactured home to the Secretary of State,' along with a certified copy of the affidavit of affixation under the Conveyance and Encumbrance of Manufactured Homes as Real Property and Severance Act (765 ILCS 170). The Secretary of State then cancels the title.

Do liens have to be cleared before surrendering an Illinois title?

Yes. Section 3-116.2(b) provides that 'the Secretary of State shall not accept for surrender a certificate of title to a manufactured home unless and until all security interests or liens perfected pursuant to Sections 3-106 and 3-202 have been released.'

Is there a deadline tied to recording the affidavit of affixation?

Section 3-116.2(d) provides that if the surrender application reaches the Secretary of State within 60 days of recording the affidavit of affixation in the county where the property sits, the requirements 'shall be deemed satisfied as of the date the affidavit of affixation is recorded.'

Mobile home titles in Illinois

In Illinois, a manufactured home is generally personal property carried on a certificate of title issued by the Secretary of State — much like a vehicle title. To treat the home as real estate, the owner surrenders that title and records an affidavit of affixation. The two governing laws are the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5) and the Conveyance and Encumbrance of Manufactured Homes as Real Property and Severance Act (765 ILCS 170). For a specific title question, consider consulting a licensed attorney in Illinois.

What the statute says

On converting a titled home to real property, 625 ILCS 5/3-116.2(a) provides:

The owner (all, if more than one) of a manufactured home that is covered by a certificate of title ... and that is permanently affixed to real property ... may surrender the certificate of title to the manufactured home to the Secretary of State by filing with the Secretary of State an application for surrender of title.

The application must include "a certified copy of the affidavit of affixation in accordance with the Conveyance and Encumbrance of Manufactured Homes as Real Property and Severance Act" and "the original certificate of title." Subsection (b) bars the Secretary of State from accepting a surrender "unless and until all security interests or liens ... have been released," and subsection (d) treats the requirements as satisfied as of the recording date if the application arrives "within 60 days of recording the related affidavit of affixation."

How it works in general

While the home is personal property, ownership is shown by the Secretary of State's certificate of title, and security interests (liens) are recorded against it. To make the home part of the real estate — for example, after it is set on an owned lot — the owner records an affidavit of affixation with the county recorder and surrenders the certificate of title to the Secretary of State under Section 3-116.2. All liens must be released first; the Secretary of State then cancels the title, and the home is conveyed and encumbered as real property under 765 ILCS 170. That Act also provides a severance process to convert the home back to personal property.

Common scenarios

General examples Illinois residents commonly encounter:

A home sits on a rented lot. It typically stays personal property on a Secretary of State certificate of title, transferred like other titled property.
An owner places the home on owned land and wants it taxed and financed as real estate. Section 3-116.2 and 765 ILCS 170 set the surrender-and-affixation path.
A lien remains on the home. Section 3-116.2(b) requires releasing all perfected liens before the title can be surrendered.

Other authorities that may apply

The county recorder records the affidavit of affixation, and county assessment rules determine how an affixed home is taxed. Lienholders' rights are governed by the perfection and release sections of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5). The Conveyance and Encumbrance of Manufactured Homes as Real Property and Severance Act (765 ILCS 170) governs the real-property conversion and severance, and the written purchase or financing documents also control the parties' obligations.