Effective August 8, 2015 - Applies Only to Property Located in the City of Chicago 

The City of Chicago requires a Full Payment Certificate (FPC) for all transfers of real estate. An FPC is a certificate issued by the City of Chicago Department of Finance indicating that all water and sewer charges and penalties that accrued to a water account are paid in full or otherwise not transferrable to the subsequent owner. A completed FPC Application serves as a request to the Department of Finance to transfer service out of the transferor's name in into the transferee's name. Without an FCP, the parties will not be able to obtain the City of Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax stamps, which are required to record the property deed with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. 

Unless otherwise provided by law or rule, an FPC is required in all transfers of real property whether such transfers are subject to or exempt from the City of Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax.

To obtain an FPC, transferors must complete a Full Payment Certificate Application, pay a $50 fee, and submit one of the following required documents:

• Copy of the deed for the intended transaction (must be submitted if requesting an exempt FPC transaction); 
• Schedule A of the title commitment; or
• Signed sales contract.

The ATG Search Department is happy to assist agents with this process. Questions? Contact us, attention Janel Robles, ATG Search Department, or call 312-752-1134. Want more information? See City of Chicago Water/Sewer Full Payment.