Illinois Boat Registration

by Boat Alert / Last Updated: December 29, 2023 / Selling Boats

Video: Illinois Boat Registration History Report

Illinois boat registration resources are found below and you can also obtain the Boat Alert History Check for your Hull ID number. Boaters should know about registration requirements, recording methods, and title search guidelines for the State of Illinois. View this info in PowerPoint format.

Wondering what the Boat Registration Agency is in Illinois? How about the Boat Registration and marking requirements in Illinois? Read the overview below to learn more as we also cover Registration Requirements along with things you need to know about boat Ownership and Liens in Illinois so you can better perform Boat Title Searches in IL.

Where are Illinois Vessels Registered?

Illinois issues registrations and also titles for all (non-exempt) boats that operate in its jurisdiction. These are administered through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Springfield. You should note however that Outboard motors are not titled or registered in Illinois while the Trailer registrations are handled through the DMV.

Did you know that there are 300,000+ boats registered in the State of Illinois?

There are sales taxes on boats in Illinois that you need to be aware of.

Illinois Boat Registration Numbers

Boat registration numbers in Illinois begin with the two letters “IL” followed by four numbers and then two letters. The registration number should not be confused with the Hull ID number. You must display the registration number on all non-documented boats next to the registration sticker. On the other hand a Coast Guard documented vessels may not display the state registration numbers but must display the state registration tabs, an owner designated vessel name, and a hailing port.

Order engraved HIN Tag ID Plate from ebay here.

In the case of a USCG documented boat, the official documentation number must also be affixed to a visible interior location in the hull itself or an integral part of the hull. You can get a boat abstract of title for your boat’s official number from boat-abstract.com.

All vessels manufactured after 1972 are required to have a 12 digit hull identification number affixed to the vessel by the manufacturer. Illinois “State-assigned” hull numbers would have a special manufacturer code of “ILZ” at the beginning of the 12 digit HIN. This is issued for home-made boats and those without factory designations. Note that some states will require you to inspect the hull number and make sure it is valid.

Boat Liens Database In Illinois

Claims or liens (Security interests) in registered boats which are non-documented must be recorded with the Department of Natural Resources in Illinois. Look for these on the registration certificate and title before you buy a pre-owned boat.

If the vessel is USCG documented, a lender’s security interests will be recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and are indexed on the boat’s abstract of title. This is different from state registration lookups and can be ordered at boat-abstract.com

Tax liens are sometimes flagged in the state’s registration database but there are no provisions for recording mechanic’s liens. This is always a risk so you should try to find as much information about a boat before you buy it. Also consider searching UCC Liens.

Illinois Boat Registration Number Lookup Website

Boat title and registration records in Illinois are maintained by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR does not have any web portal to search free HIN or Registration lookups for the general public due to strict privacy laws. However, record printouts may be obtained by an owner or otherwise qualified party by submitting a boat record request form. You can get some information from Illinois on the Boat-Alert history report as well using the Hull ID Number.

Where is the Boat History Database?

The Boat-Alert.com database combines 92+ nationwide databases into a single place so you can search in a matter of minutes. These include records for stolen boats, marine lien claims, boating accidents, pollution incidents, auctioned boats, factory recalls, and boat manufacturers.

Non-recorded maritime liens may also be a factor when conducting boat title research in Illinois.

Yacht brokers, documentation companies, and attorneys do not warrant or guarantee titles so the boat owner has to certify such claims in writing. A thorough boat background search is important.

Titling & Registration Requirements in Illinois

Boat Titling & Registration FAQ for Illinois

Titling a boat in Illinois

• Is boat titling required in Illinois?
  • Yes, boat titling is required in Illinois.
• When did the titling requirement become effective in Illinois?
  • The titling requirement became effective on 1/1/81.
• What types of vessels require titling in Illinois?
  • Watercraft over 21 feet in length require titling.

Exemptions from Titling:

• Are there any exemptions from titling boats in Illinois?
  • There are no specified exemptions from titling boats in Illinois.

Fees for Titling:

• What fees are associated with boat titling in Illinois?
  • The fees for boat titling in Illinois are not specified.
• Is there a fee for obtaining a duplicate titling certificate?
  • The fee for a duplicate titling certificate in Illinois is not specified.
• Is there a fee for transferring boat titling?
  • The fee for transferring boat titling in Illinois is not specified.

Boat Registration in Illinois:

• What types of vessels require registration in Illinois?
  • Every watercraft, other than non-powered watercraft, on waters within the jurisdiction of the state shall be numbered.
• Are there any exemptions from boat registration in Illinois?
  • Sailboards.
  • A canoe or kayak owned by a nonprofit organization.
  • An unpowered vessel operated on a private lake.
  • A vessel owned by the federal or state government.
  • Vessels properly registered in another state and using Illinois waters for less than 60 consecutive days.
  • Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard and using Illinois waters for less than 60 consecutive days.

USCG Documented Vessels in Illinois:

• Are USCG documented vessels required to be registered in Illinois?
  • No, USCG documented vessels are not required to be registered in Illinois.

Registration Timeline:

• How many days before registration is required in Illinois?
  • Registration is required within 60 days of being in Illinois.

Fees for Registration:

• What are the registration fees for boats in Illinois?
  • Class 1 – All powered watercraft less than 16 ft. except non-powered – $28.00.
  • Class 2 – 16 ft. to less than 26 ft. – $60.00.
  • Class 3 – 26 ft. to less than 40 ft. – $160.00.
  • Class 4 – 40 ft. and over – $210.00.
• Is there a fee for duplicate boat registration?
  • The fee for duplicate boat registration in Illinois is $7.
• Is there a fee for duplicate decal?
  • The fee for a duplicate decal in Illinois is $7.
• Is there a fee for transferring boat registration?
  • The fee for transferring boat registration in Illinois is not specified.

Late Fees:

• Is there a late fee for boat registration in Illinois?
  • Late fees for boat registration in Illinois are not specified.

• TITLING:
  • REQUIRED: Yes EFFECTIVE DATE : 1/1/81
  • VESSEL TYPES: Watercraft over 21 feet in length
  • EXEMPTIONS:
  • FEES:
  • DUPLICATE FEE:
  • TRANSFER FEE:
• REGISTRATION:
  • VESSEL TYPES: Every watercraft other than non-powered watercraft on waters within the jurisdiction of this State shall be numbered.
  • EXEMPTIONS: Sailboards A canoe or kayak owned by a nonprofit organization An unpowered vessel operated on a private lake A vessel owned by the federal or state government Vessels properly registered in another state and using Illinois waters for less than 60 consecutive days Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard and using Illinois waters for less than 60 consecutive days
  • USCG DOCUMENTED VESSELS REQUIRED: No
  • NUMBER OF DAYS BEFORE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 60 days
  • FEES: Class 1 – All powered Watercraft less than 16 ft. except non-powered – $28.00 Class 2 – 16 ft. to less than 26 ft. – $60.00 Class 3 – 26 ft. to less than 40 ft. – $160.00 Class 4 – 40 ft. and over – $210.00
  • DUPLICATE REGISTRATION FEE: $7
  • DUPLICATE DECAL FEE: $7
  • TRANSFER FEE:
  • LATE FEE:

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