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Origin record closeout

What to do with Illinois plates after moving to Arizona

The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed Illinois instruction only after the Arizona registration and insurance handoff are safe.

Arizona comes first

Complete the replacement record

Arizona says an incoming vehicle must be registered as soon as you become a resident.

Put Arizona-acceptable coverage in place before registration and keep the prior policy active until the old registration is safely closed.

Illinois closeout

Revoke the Illinois plate record after the replacement registration is active

After the destination registration is active, submit VSD 851, Vehicle License Plates Revocation Request, using the registered-owner-moved-out-of-state reason. Keep a copy and delivery proof before treating the old insurance record as closed.

Open the official Illinois instructionReviewed 2026-07-31
  1. 1. Activate acceptable destination coverage

    Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.

  2. 2. Register in Arizona

    Keep the issued registration or official receipt.

  3. 3. Complete the Illinois plate action

    Keep the surrender, cancellation, mailing, destruction, or retention record the state provides.

  4. 4. End or rewrite the old policy

    Ask the insurer to use dates that do not create an uncovered active registration.

Sources for this closeout sequence

Open the complete routeCheck the insurance handoff