Payment of the tax shall be evidenced by revenue stamps in the amount required to show full payment of the tax imposed by Section 31-10. Except as provided in Section 31-45, a deed, document transferring a controlling interest in real property, or trust document shall not be accepted for filing by any recorder or registrar of titles unless revenue stamps in the required amount have been purchased from the recorder or registrar of titles of the county where the deed, document transferring a controlling interest in real property, or trust document is being filed for recordation. The revenue stamps shall be affixed to the deed, document transferring a controlling interest in real property, or trust document by the recorder or the registrar of titles either before or after recording as requested by the grantee. The Department may prescribe a form to which stamps must be affixed that a transferee must file for recordation at the time a declaration is presented if a transferring document is not presented for recordation within 3 business days after the transfer is effected. A person using or affixing a revenue stamp shall cancel it and so deface it as to render it unfit for reuse by marking it with his or her initials and the day, month and year when the affixing occurs. The marking shall be made by writing or stamping in indelible ink or by perforating with a machine or punch. However, the revenue stamp shall not be so defaced as to prevent ready determination of its denomination and genuineness.
35 ILCS 200/31-20