Your Step‑By‑Step Checklist To Get Highland Park’s Transfer Stamp

If you wait until the week of closing to think about Highland Park’s transfer stamp, your deal can stall at the finish line. You want a smooth, stress-free closing, and that means getting the municipal stamp done early and done right. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what the stamp is, who pays it, the documents you need, where to buy it, and how to calculate your total transfer taxes. Let’s dive in.

What the transfer stamp is

Highland Park’s transfer stamp is the city’s municipal real estate transfer tax that applies in addition to state and county transfer taxes. You must purchase the municipal stamp or document an exemption before the deed is recorded. See the municipal summary for Highland Park’s current requirements and rate of $5.00 per $1,000 of consideration, calculated by rounding to the nearest $1,000. Review the ordinance summary.

Who pays and when

• The seller is generally responsible for the Highland Park municipal transfer tax, though your sales contract can allocate costs differently. Confirm local practice.
• The municipal stamp or exemption must be obtained before the deed is submitted for recording. Lake County’s eRecording guidance flags Highland Park as requiring a local stamp or exemption. See Lake County’s eRecording notes.

Step-by-step checklist

1) Confirm the property is in Highland Park

• At contract acceptance, verify the property sits within Highland Park city limits or a parcel governed by the city’s ordinance, such as certain Fort Sheridan areas. A municipal stamp applies only when the local ordinance covers the property. Check municipal lists.

2) Estimate your transfer taxes

• Estimate the municipal tax: sale price divided by 1,000, times $5.00, rounding to the nearest $1,000 per city practice. Add state and county transfer taxes to see your total. Reference the Highland Park rate.

3) Complete required transfer forms

• Prepare the Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration (PTAX-203 or related version). This is required to compute and pay state and county taxes at recording. Highland Park may also require a local transfer declaration. Access PTAX forms and guidance.

4) Schedule your final water reading

• Arrange the final meter reading and pay the water bill early. Highland Park requires the final water bill to be paid before issuing the municipal stamp. See municipal practice summary.

5) Purchase the municipal stamp or obtain an exemption

• Buy the Highland Park stamp at City Hall’s Finance Counter. If your transfer is exempt, request the exemption stamp or letter and bring any supporting documents the city requires. Plan for certified funds if personal checks are not accepted. City Hall: 1707 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park, 847-432-0800. Confirm city procedures.

6) Deliver documents to your title company

• Provide the municipal stamp or exemption and the signed PTAX-203 to the title/closing team so they can assemble the recording package for the Lake County Recorder or eRecording submission. Recorder guidance.

7) Do a final pre-recording check

• Confirm the municipal stamp or exemption is included and the Recorder will apply state and county stamps at recording. Missing municipal documentation can delay or prevent recording. State transfer tax process.

Required documents and where to pay

• PTAX-203 Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration, signed by buyer and seller or their agents. PTAX forms and instructions
• Highland Park municipal transfer tax form or local declaration, if required. Municipal list reference
• Proof of final water reading and proof of payment.
• Copy of the deed and, for exemptions, any supporting items the city requests.
• Where to buy: City Hall Finance Counter, 1707 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park, 847-432-0800. Confirm hours and accepted payment methods. You can also check the city’s portal for updates. City of Highland Park portal

Calculate your total transfer taxes

Highland Park’s municipal transfer tax is one part of your total. You will also pay Illinois state and Lake County transfer taxes at recording.

• Municipal: $5.00 per $1,000 of sale price, rounded to the nearest $1,000. Municipal rate summary
• State of Illinois: $0.50 per $500, which equals $1.00 per $1,000. State rule reference
• Lake County: $0.25 per $500, which equals $0.50 per $1,000. County code reference

Example A: $500,000 sale

• Municipal: 500 × $5.00 = $2,500.
• State: 500 × $1.00 = $500.
• County: 500 × $0.50 = $250.
• Estimated total transfer taxes: $3,250 plus recording fees.

Example B: $1,200,000 sale

• Municipal: 1,200 × $5.00 = $6,000.
• State: 1,200 × $1.00 = $1,200.
• County: 1,200 × $0.50 = $600.
• Estimated total transfer taxes: $7,800 plus recording fees.

Note: Municipal ordinances often require rounding to the nearest $1,000 for the local calculation. Verify any rounding or minimums with the City Finance Counter prior to closing. If an existing mortgage affects the taxable value for state or county purposes, consult the statute and Recorder guidance on how value is computed. See county code note

Pitfalls and penalties

• Waiting on water: Delaying the final water reading can push your closing. Schedule early, and pay the final bill before requesting the stamp. Process reminder
• Payment methods: Some municipalities do not accept personal checks. Confirm acceptable forms of payment with City Finance. Local practice summary
• Missing the municipal step: State and county stamps at the Recorder do not replace the Highland Park requirement. Recording can be refused without the local stamp or exemption. Recorder guidance
• Consequences: Municipal summaries note fines, monthly interest, and the possibility of a lien for noncompliance. Penalty overview

Quick links and contacts

• Highland Park transfer tax summary and procedures: ATG municipal summary
• Illinois Real Estate Transfer Tax and PTAX forms: Illinois Department of Revenue
• Lake County eRecording and submission guidance: Lake County Recorder
• Municipal list and local form references: Groll municipal list
• City portal for updates and contacts: City of Highland Park

Ready to sell in Highland Park?

You deserve a closing process that is organized, low-stress, and on schedule. If you want a strategy-first plan for pricing, presentation, and a clean municipal checklist, connect with Bridget Orsic for boutique, principal-led guidance from contract to recording.

FAQs

What is Highland Park’s transfer stamp and why is it required?

• It is the city’s municipal real estate transfer tax, which must be paid or exempted before the Recorder will accept your deed for recording in Lake County.

Who typically pays Highland Park’s municipal transfer tax?

• The seller is generally responsible, though the purchase contract can allocate costs differently, so confirm with your agent and title company.

Where do you buy the Highland Park municipal stamp?

• Purchase it at the City Hall Finance Counter; confirm current hours and payment methods with the city before you go.

What documents should you bring to obtain the stamp?

• Bring the deed, the Illinois PTAX-203 transfer declaration, proof of final water payment, and any local forms or exemption support the city requests.

How do you calculate total transfer taxes on a sale?

• Add the municipal tax ($5 per $1,000, rounded) to the state tax ($1 per $1,000) and the county tax ($0.50 per $1,000) to estimate your total before recording.