I am lucky in that I live on the other side of the border. The Indiana BMV is the most wonderful, helpful, efficient and courteous government agency I have ever dealt with.

I had to deal with them because Illinois' system of title transfer encourages, but does not condone, title jumping. In short, anyone can sell a vehicle to anyone else, by signing the back of a "big title" and filling in the new owners information. This way there is no sales tax. You can then buy the tag (tab, stamp...whatever your state calls it) at a check cashing place with little more than proof of insurance and any random address you choose.

The car I bought had changed hands this way three time before I got it and Indiana refused to give me a clear title (nor should they) when they could not find proof of ownership by the seller. ILDMV said it was not their problem (it really wasn't) but INBMV found a legal and relatively painless method for me to take possession once the seller obtained a bill of sale from the titled owners estate, and affidavit of lost title...cost me $30 more and way too much time for a beater but live and learn.

Mike