When the premises mentioned in such certificate are not redeemed in pursuance of law, and the court issuing the underlying judgment has entered an order confirming the sale in accordance with Section 12- 144.5, the legal holder of the certificate is entitled to a deed therefor at any time within 5 years from the expiration of the time of redemption. The deed shall be executed by the sheriff or other officer who made the sale, or by his or her successor in office, or by some person specially appointed by the court for the purpose. If the deed is not taken within the time limited by Part 1 of Article XII of this Act, the certificate of purchase is void unless the purchaser under the certificate of sale has gone into possession of the premises under and in reliance on the certificate of sale within the 5 year period. If, however, the deed is wrongfully withheld by the officer whose duty it is to execute it, or if the execution of the deed is restrained by injunction or order of a court, the time during which the deed is so withheld or the execution thereof restrained shall not be considered as any part of the 5 years within which the holder is required to take a deed.
12-145.Time of execution of deed.
Article XII. Judgments - Enforcement · Part 1. In General · Last amended 2001 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceAfter redemption has lapsed and the court has confirmed the sale under Section 12-144.5, Section 12-145 gives the certificate holder five years to obtain a sheriff's deed, voiding the certificate afterward unless the holder took possession, and pausing the clock if the deed is wrongfully withheld or enjoined.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/12-145
Plain-English Summary
This section marks the last step before a certificate of purchase turns into title. Once the redemption period has run and the court issuing the underlying judgment has entered an order confirming the sale under Section 12-144.5, the legal holder of the certificate becomes entitled to a deed, and has five years from the expiration of redemption to obtain it.
The sheriff or other officer who made the sale executes the deed, or that officer's successor in office, or someone the court specially appoints for the purpose. If no one takes the deed within the five-year window, the certificate of purchase becomes void, unless the purchaser went into possession of the property under and in reliance on the certificate within those five years.
The five-year clock doesn't run against the holder if the deed is wrongfully withheld by the officer responsible for executing it, or if a court injunction or order restrains its execution; that time is excluded from the period the holder is allowed to take the deed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 5-year window to obtain a deed begin?
At the expiration of the redemption period, and only once the court has entered an order confirming the sale under Section 12-144.5.
Who executes the deed?
The sheriff or other officer who made the sale, that officer's successor in office, or a person specially appointed by the court for the purpose.
What happens if the holder doesn't obtain a deed within 5 years?
The certificate of purchase becomes void.
Is there an exception to that voiding rule?
Yes, if the purchaser went into possession of the premises under and in reliance on the certificate within the 5-year period.
What pauses the 5-year clock?
Time during which the deed is wrongfully withheld by the officer responsible for it, or its execution is restrained by an injunction or court order.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 91-924, eff. 1-1-01.)
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: sheriff's deed deadline illinois5 year deed illinois judgment salecertificate of purchase void illinois