Illinois Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering and titling a boat in Illinois.
Illinois boat registration and titling overview is a free resource designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the State of Illinois. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration and Titling Agency
Boat registration and titling in Illinois are administered by
the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Services are also provided by
DNR field offices throughout the state and approved boat dealers.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 183,689 boats
currently registered in the State of Illinois which accounts for 1.6%
nationwide. USCG vessel documentation records indicate 6,105 owners with an
Illinois address and 441 documented vessels that display an Illinois hailing
port.
Uniform Titling: Illinois has not yet adopted the Uniform
Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which basically sets the same
nationwide standards for boat titling as those for vehicles. There are no
provisions for title branding of stolen boats, accidents or salvaging in
Illinois.
Vessel Information System: Illinois participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.
Registration and Titling Requirements
Illinois requires registration and titling on all non-exempt
boats that operate within its jurisdictional waters. The following are basic
requirements and exemptions with further details available from the
referrals for this page.
Motor Boats: All motorized boats must be
registered in Illinois.
Sailboats: All sailboats must be
registered in Illinois.
Canoes and Kayaks: Manually propelled canoes and kayaks are exempt
from registration in Illinois.
Inflatable Boats:
Inflatable boats must be registered in Illinois if powered.
Dinghies and
Lifeboats: Dinghies must be registered if powered and
lifeboats are exempt if used exclusively for such purpose.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are
subject to registration but may not become titled in Illionois.
Visiting Boats:
Boats currently registered in another state or country are allowed
visitation privileges in Illinois for 60 consecutive days.
Boat Titles: Boat titles are
required on all registered boats except those which are under 22 feet or
USCG documented.
Residency
Requirements: Non-residents may register a boat in Illinois.
Outboard Motors: Registration and titling are not
available for outboard boat motors in Illinois.
Boat Trailers:
Boat trailers must be registered in Illinois and titles are issued on those
over 2,000 lbs.
Registration Application
Boat registrations in Illinois may
implemented online, by regular mail, in person or through a
licensed boat dealer. In
doing so, you will need to provide evidence of ownership, fees and taxes.
Application Forms: Application and supplemental boat title
and registration forms are available from the DNR website or an approved registration vendor.
Manufacturer's Statement: When a new boat is to be registered for the
first time, you must present a Manufacturer's Statement of
Origin (MSO) or Builder's certification. The statement or
certification must be properly
assigned into your name or accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Title: When a boat was previously state titled,
you must present a properly assigned title certificate or one
that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous
Registration: If a boat was registered in a non-title
state, it will be necessary to present an assigned registration
certificate or one that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Loan Foreclosures: In order to register a foreclosed
boat, the lender will need to provide evidence of compliance with
the respective state laws.
Mechanic's Liens: In order
to register a boat foreclosed on towing, storage and service possessory liens you must provide evidence of compliance
with state lien laws.
Abandoned Boats: In
order to register an abandoned boat you must provide evidence of
compliance with state abandoned property laws.
Title Bonding: Boat title bonding in Illinois is
available where sufficient proof of ownership is not available.
Contact the DNR for further information.
Registration Fees:
The most current list of boat registration fees may be
found by visiting the DNR website.
Numbering Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Illinois begin with an
"IL" designation which is followed by four numbers and then two
letters. These must be displayed on all registered boats along
with the current registration decals. State boat numbering
configuration, size and placement requirements are actually
dictated by federal regulations. More detailed information can
be found in the referrals for this page.
Hull Numbers:
All vessels built after 1972 are required to have a properly
formatted 12 digit hull identification number. Although
typically assigned and installed by the manufacturer, owners
with older, homemade, or imported boats may apply to the DNR for a hull number
assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "ILZ" in place
of the manufacturer's identification code (MIC). Boats must be
inspected by a law enforcement official
whenever their is a missing or deficient hull identification number.
Lien and Security Interest Recordings
The available options for securing loans, liens
and claims against boats registered Illinois are determined
by various factors. These include the type of debt, obligation
or liability and whether the boat is USCG documented or state
titled.
Loan Security Interests: Boat loan security interests on
titled boats in Illinois are listed on the certificate of title. Security interests
in non-titled and non-documented boats must recorded as UCC
filings with the Secretary of state. If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, the
lender must obtain a preferred mortgage in order to perfect or
prioritize its security interest. These are recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Liens: Tax liens are sometimes flagged in the state's
boat registration
database, recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings, shown on state revenue records,
or filed with a county clerk's office. A tax lien search for
Illinois is available from the referrals for this page.
Mechanic's Liens:
There are no means of recording mechanics or storage liens on
Illinois boat registration records. However these may be listed
for informational purposes on a documented vessel's underlying
abstract of title. Our boat lien claims registry also serves as
a proprietary source of exposing such information to the general
public.
Stolen Boats:
Although stolen boats do not actually qualify as maritime liens,
the true owner may have rights of recovery regardless of a
subsequent owner's awareness. There are no methods for recording
stolen boats in Illinois other than by filing a report with a
local law enforcement agency. These will in turn become listed
in their stolen boat database and perhaps the National Crime
Information Center database. Our stolen boat registry also
serves as a proprietary database for the boating industry.
Title and Lien Searches
Title and lien search methods for Illinois registered
boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the
boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches:
Registration and title records for Illinois are maintained in a
database administered by the Department of Natural Resources.
Access to such data is available for owners and certain
qualified parties as prescribed by regulatory standards.
Comprehensive guidelines about boat record searches in Illinois can
be found in the references for this page.
UCC Searches:
Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in Illinois are available online
from the Secretary of State's office.
Tax Lien
Searches: State and Federal tax liens on boats are not
always recorded in a consistent manner and are therefore
difficult to identify. They may show up as a flag on state
registration records, as UCC filings, in state revenue records,
in a county clerks records, or on a vessel's abstract of title
for documented boats. Given these disparities, it may be worth
obtaining the services of a public record vendor that has access
to a broad range of personal lien
recordings.
USCG Documentation Searches: Ownership,
mortgage and lien information of USCG documented vessels can be
obtained by ordering an abstract of title from the National
Vessel Documentation Center. Information on how to go about this
can be found in the referrals for this page.
Non-Recorded Liens: Non-recorded maritime liens may also
be a factor in conducting lien searches. These may include
liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel,
storage, parts, supplies, and damages which are related to the
boat itself. This type of research can only be determined through
personal investigation, owner disclosures, and boat history
lookups.
Owner Background Checks: Yacht brokers,
documentation companies and attorneys do not warrant or
guarantee titles. There is moreover no such thing as boat title
insurance in the marine industry. It is therefore incumbent on
the owner to stand behind any such representations. This will of
course be of no consolation if a guarantor is insolvent,
non-cooperative, or can not be subsequently located. A thorough background check to ensure the owner's
inclination and ability for making good on any hidden liens or title
deficiencies is recommended. Information on how to go about this
can be found in the referrals for this page.
Business Entity Search:
You should run a business entity search when dealing with a boat
registered to an entity such as a corporation or limited
liability company. This will help confirm the legitimacy of such
enterprise and identify those authorized to act on its behalf.
An online search portal for doing so is maintained by the
Secretary of State which can be accessed from the referrals for
this page.
Stolen Boat Search: Illinois does not maintain a list of boats that
have been stolen within the state. You will need to contact a
law enforcement agency for such information.
Proprietary Searches: Our
proprietary lien claims and stolen boat registries may prove
helpful and are free if charge. These can be accessed from the
referrals for this page.
Taxes and Insurance
Sales and Use Tax:
Sales or use taxes are required on boats in Illinois unless
previously paid in another state. These must be paid or a receipt for prior payment must be
provided at the time of registration.
Personal Property
Tax: Boats are not subject to personal property tax
assessments in lllinois.
Insurance
Requirements: Boat liability
and collision insurance are not required in Illinois. However,
you should check with a local insurance agent as this may be
subject to change without notice. In any event, insurance is
highly recommended and you may also need this for moorage
purposes or when making a loan on the boat.
Operator Requirements
Operator Requirements: There are a number
of boat operator requirements in Illinois that may be found in
the Boating Law Handbook which can be found in the referrals for
this page.
Accident Reporting:
Boating accidents in Illinois must be immediately reported to
the Department of Natural Resources. Contact information can be
found in the referrals for this page.
Notifications: The DNR must be notified
whenever a registered or titled boat has been transferred, stolen, lost, abandoned.
This also applies to ownership and address changes.
Enforcement Agency: The DNR officers are primarily responsible for
boating law enforcement in Illinois. However, all law
enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce boating laws.
Conclusion
The information provided herein is gathered from various sources and may be subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. You should always consult directly with the appropriate agency or a qualified attorney before taking any actions based on this overview.
References and Referrals
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections