12-147.Form of deed.

Article XII. Judgments - Enforcement · Part 1. In General · Last amended 1999 · Last verified July 20, 2026

In one sentenceSection 12-147 supplies a model form of sheriff's deed, reciting the judgment, the certified copy used to levy, the advertised sale, and the highest bidder, for officers to follow substantially when conveying title after an unredeemed judgment sale.

Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/12-147

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The deed may be substantially, in the following form:

Whereas, A.B. .... in the .... court of .... county

recovered a judgment against C.D. for the sum of .... and costs

on (insert date) and a certified copy of the judgment, issued on

(insert date), by virtue of which .... levied upon the premises

hereinafter described, and the time and place of the sale

thereof having been duly advertised according to law, the same

were struck off and sold to ...., he or she being the highest

and best bidder therefor. (If the certificate has been

transferred, recite the fact.)

Now, therefore, I, ...., of the county of ...., in

consideration of the premises, hereby convey to ...., his or her

heirs and assigns, the following described lot or parcel of land

(here describe the premises) to have and to hold the same with

all the appurtenances thereto belonging forever.

............(Date) .................(Signature)

Plain-English Summary

Rather than requiring an officer to draft a deed from scratch, this section lays out a form the deed may follow. The model recites that the judgment creditor recovered a judgment against the debtor for a stated sum and costs, that a certified copy of the judgment was issued and used to levy on the described premises, that the sale was duly advertised, and that the premises were struck off to the highest bidder.

Because the certificate of purchase can be assigned under Section 12-144, the form directs the officer to recite that transfer if it occurred. The operative conveying language follows: the officer, in consideration of the recitals, conveys the described lot or parcel to the grantee, the grantee's heirs and assigns, along with the appurtenances, to have and to hold forever.

The statute frames this as a form the deed 'may be substantially' in, not a rigid script the officer must copy word for word.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the form in Section 12-147 mandatory?

No, the section says the deed may be substantially in that form, describing a model rather than a required script.

What does the model deed recite?

The judgment, the certified copy used to levy, the advertised sale, and the highest bidder's purchase.

What happens if the certificate of purchase was assigned before the deed issues?

The form directs the officer to recite that transfer.

What does the deed ultimately do under this form?

Convey the described lot or parcel of land to the grantee and the grantee's heirs and assigns, with all appurtenances.

Who signs the deed under this form?

The officer executing it, shown by the signature line at the end of the form.

Amendment History

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

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: illinois sheriff's deed formform of judgment sale deed illinoismodel sheriff deed language illinois