Every certificate which is given by any officer to any purchaser, under the provisions of Part 1 of Article XII of this Act is assignable by endorsement thereon, under the signature of such purchaser or his or her heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and every person to whom the same is so assigned is entitled to the same benefits therefrom in every respect, that the person therein named would be if the same was not assigned.
12-144.Certificate assignable.
Article XII. Judgments - Enforcement · Part 1. In General · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceSection 12-144 makes every certificate an officer issues to a purchaser under Part 1 of Article XII assignable by endorsement, giving the assignee exactly the same rights the original named purchaser would have had.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/12-144
Plain-English Summary
A certificate of purchase issued after a judgment sale doesn't have to stay with the original buyer. This section lets the purchaser, or the purchaser's heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, transfer the certificate by endorsing it under their own signature.
Whoever receives that assignment steps fully into the original purchaser's shoes. The section says the assignee is entitled to the same benefits from the certificate, in every respect, that the person named in it would have had if no assignment had occurred, whether that means claiming a deed, exercising resale rights, or anything else the certificate carries with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a certificate of purchase be transferred to someone else?
Yes, by endorsement under the signature of the purchaser or the purchaser's heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns.
What rights does an assignee of the certificate get?
The same benefits, in every respect, that the person named in the certificate would have had if it had not been assigned.
What form does the assignment take?
An endorsement on the certificate itself.
Does this apply to every certificate issued under Part 1 of Article XII?
Yes, the section says every certificate given by any officer to any purchaser under this Part is assignable.
Where would an assignee use the assigned certificate?
Wherever the original holder could, including to claim a deed or exercise redemption and resale rights under the surrounding sections.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 83-707.)
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: assigning certificate of purchase illinoistransfer sheriff sale certificate illinoisendorsing certificate of sale illinois