Can you mail in illinois lottery winning tickets

Yes, in Illinois, you can mail in winning lottery tickets to claim your prize. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Sign the back of the ticket: Make sure to sign the back of the winning ticket in the presence of a notary public or a witness.
  2. Fill out the claim form: You can download and print the Illinois Lottery Claim Form from the official Illinois Lottery website or request one by calling the Illinois Lottery at (217) 782-8367.
  3. Gather required documents: You'll need to provide proof of identity and age, such as a valid government-issued ID, and proof of Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
  4. Mail the claim form and ticket: Send the completed claim form, signed ticket, and required documents to the following address:

Illinois Lottery Attn: Claims Department 333 W. Monroe St. Springfield, IL 62701

  1. Wait for processing: The Illinois Lottery will process your claim and verify the winning ticket. This may take several weeks.

Note: If you're claiming a prize of $25,000 or more, you'll need to appear in person at the Illinois Lottery's headquarters in Springfield, IL, to claim your prize.

Additionally, if you're claiming a prize of $600 or more, you'll need to pay federal and state taxes on your winnings. The Illinois Lottery will withhold 24% of your prize for federal taxes and 5% for state taxes.

It's essential to keep in mind that the Illinois Lottery has a time limit for claiming prizes, which varies depending on the type of game and the prize amount. For most games, you have 1 year from the date of the drawing to claim your prize.