CHICAGO WATER / SEWER CERTIFICATE

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 transferable 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 parities 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, you must pay a $50 fee to the City of Chicago, and submit one of the following 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 Greater Illinois Title Company Special Services Department is happy to assist Gateway Agents with this process. Questions? Contact us: 312.264.4888 or specialservices@gitc.com

City of Chicago

Full Payment Certificate

A Full Payment Certificate (“FPC”) is a certificate issued by the Department of Finance indicating that all utility charges and penalties that accrued to an account are paid in full or otherwise not transferable to the subsequent owner. The FPC application serves as a request to the Department of Finance to transfer service out of the transferor’s name and into the transferee’s name. Without a FPC, the parties will not be able to obtain the City of Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax stamps required to record the property deed with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds.

Unless otherwise provided by law or rule, a 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.

FPC Application

In order to obtain a FPC, an application with an application fee of $120.00 shall be made to the Department of Finance. Provided, however if the property is exempt from the Real Property Transfer Tax, the FPC application fee shall not be charged, if appropriately marked. If a FPC certificate was required and such certificate was not obtained when the real property was transferred, both the transferor and the transferee will be jointly and severally liable for any outstanding utility charges, penalties and applicable fees that have accrued to the account.

To obtain a FPC, you must complete an application. Applications are also available in person at 333 S. State St., Room 330. Applications must be completed in their entirety, including any required supporting documents. Incomplete applications will not be accepted for processing (See complete list of required documents below.) Completed applications are accepted in-person or by email to fpc@cityofchicago.org

Applications will be accepted by the buyer/seller or attorney for the transaction during regular business hours Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, please be prepared to provide identification (Attorneys must provide current ARDC and/or Cook County Card and a form of government issued identification). These individuals will have the ability to wait for a limit of 2 applications unless additional services are required such as field review or final meter reading. Persons other than the buyer/seller or attorney will be considered an agent and must print and sign their names as the agent. Agents are permitted to drop off during the designated time of 8:30 am through 10:00 am. Agents are not allowed to wait for same day processing and should expect up to 10 business days for processing. If there are questions regarding FPC applications status please feel free to email, after 10 business days.

Any outstanding balance will need to be paid to complete the certification process.

Applications are good for 60 days from the authorization date listed on the processed FPC. If your application expires, you must resubmit a new application.

Applications submitted by email will be processed and a link to pay and complete the certification will be sent to the email listed under Section 6 of the application.

Required Documents:

Legal Description and one of the following will be required to ensure a complete application:

  • A copy of the signed and notarized Deed for the intended transaction (must be submitted if requesting an exempt FPC transaction)
  • Title Commitment Schedule A listing buyer and seller
  • Signed Sales Contract listing buyer and seller

*Additional proof of ownership may be requested if the seller listed on the application is not currently listed on the active account.

The Greater Illinois Title Company Special Services Department is happy to assist Gateway Agents with this process. Questions? Contact us: 312.264.4888 or specialservices@gitc.com

Greater Illinois Title Company will obtain a Water Certificate for your closing at GIT for a fee of $120.00

As the largest title agency in Illinois, Greater Illinois Title Company provides a single point of contact for all title and closing related services. Our mission is to view all customers as partners in business. Customizable products and services provided by experienced professionals help GIT customers attain greater efficiency, tighter production times and forward-thinking responses to smooth out the closing process.

Corporate Office
120 North LaSalle Street #900
Chicago, IL 60602
312.236.7300

Contact Us



  • Please help us prevent spam by confirming CAPTCHA before sending request.