All watercraft (other than sailboards) operated on the waters within the jurisdiction of this State shall be registered and titled.
State law requires that the purchaser of a watercraft shall, within 15 days after purchase, make application to the Department for registration/title. Watercraft purchased from a dealer, the dealer must within 15 days mail or deliver the application to the Department.
Attention Boat Owners: Boat renewal notices reminding Illinois boat owners that their registration decals are due to expire on June 30, 2012 will be mailed in May. You can renew on-line or by phone at this time. Also, the registration card and decals for any registrations issued after January 1, 2012 will be printed and mailed in May due to a delay in the printing of the forms.
Boat owners are asked to carry their temporary permit until they receive the registration decals. Boat titles are not affected by the delay and are being printed and mailed.
Please assist us by allowing sufficient processing time of your application before calling.
- No titles, registration cards, and/or decals are issued over the counter at any Natural Resources Offices. Applications are processed by mail at the Springfield Office.
To apply for one of the following transactions you must complete a watercraft registration title application form and submit with required documents and fee(s). Please refer to the instruction page of the watercraft registration/title application form for fees, and the "tax requirement on watercraft" information listed below.
- New Registration / Title - NEW watercraft and watercraft previously issued an out-of-state registration/title.
- Transfer / Renewal - transferring ownership of a watercraft currently issued an Illinois title/registration.
- Renew - your current watercraft registration, or renew your registration online or by phone at 1-866-867-3542.
- Duplicate Title - To replace one which is destroyed, lost or stolen.
- Corrected Title - To correct information, remove an owner, or add a lienholder.
- Title Search - To obtain owner/lienholder information on a watercraft.
- Duplicate Registration Card - To replace one which has been destroyed, lost or stolen.
- Corrected Registration Card - To correct information on your current registration card such as change of address.
- Duplicate Decals - To replace ones that have been destroyed, stolen or lost.
- United State Coast Guard Documented Vessels - If your watercraft has been issued a certificate of documentation.
What is Required to Register and Title my Watercraft?
Watercraft Registration/Title Application
- Download/Print Form
- Instructions & Fee Schedule
- Application copy to DNR
- 120 Day Temporary Permit - The TEMPORARY PERMIT copy of the application is valid for 120 days from the date the application is signed, for use of your watercraft in Illinois while your application is being processed.
Tax Requirement on Watercraft Information
Power of Attorney Form - If the seller(s) has lost the Illinois Watercraft title.
Small Estate Affidavit Form - If the owner(s) of the watercraft is deceased, you must also submit:
- a copy of the death certificate for the deceased owner; and
- a small estate affidavit, attorney's affidavit, or letter of office from a court.
Statement of Trust Form - (or a copy of the trust agreement) - required, in addition to the title, when selling a watercraft that is titled in a trust name.
Additional Questions?? or to order a supply of watercraft application forms, please call 217-557-0180 or 1-800-382-1696 or e-mail us a request to dnr.watercraft@illinois.gov.