The purchaser shall, within 10 days from such sale, file in the office of the recorder of the county in which the property is situated, such certificate, which shall be recorded by such recorder; and such certificate or duplicate, or record, and certified copy of the record thereof, shall be evidence of the facts therein stated.
12-121.Certificate recorded.
Article XII. Judgments - Enforcement · Part 1. In General · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceThe buyer at a judgment sale must record the sale certificate with the county recorder within 10 days, and the recorded certificate or a certified copy of it then serves as evidence of what it states.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/12-121
Plain-English Summary
Within 10 days of the sale, the purchaser has to file the certificate of sale with the recorder of the county where the property is located, and the recorder records it.
Once recorded, the certificate, a duplicate of it, the record itself, or a certified copy of the record all serve as evidence of the facts stated in it, giving the buyer a public, provable record of the sale while the redemption period plays out under Sections 12-119 and 12-122.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a judgment sale buyer have to record the certificate of sale in Illinois?
10 days from the sale.
Where does the buyer file the certificate of sale?
With the recorder of the county where the property is situated.
What legal effect does the recorded certificate have?
The certificate, its duplicate, the record, and a certified copy of the record all serve as evidence of the facts stated in it.
Does a certified copy of the recorded certificate carry the same weight as the original?
Yes, the section treats a certified copy of the record as evidence of the facts stated, the same as the certificate or the record itself.
What happens if the buyer misses the 10-day recording deadline?
The section sets the 10-day deadline and the certificate's evidentiary effect but doesn't itself spell out a specific consequence for a late filing.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 84-314.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: recording a certificate of sale illinois10 day deadline to record judgment sale illinoiscertificate of sale evidence illinoisrecorder of deeds judgment sale illinois