2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 625 - VEHICLES › 625 ILCS 45/ - Boat Registration and Safety Act. › Article III - Registration Of Motorboats And Sailboats Over 12 Feet In Length

(625 ILCS 45/Art. III heading)
ARTICLE III.  
		REGISTRATION OF MOTORBOATS AND
SAILBOATS OVER 12 FEET IN LENGTH
(625 ILCS 45/3-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-1)
Sec. 3-1. Unlawful operation of unnumbered watercraft. Every watercraft other than non-powered watercraft on waters within
the jurisdiction of this State shall be numbered. No person may operate, use, or store or
give permission for the operation, usage, or storage of any such watercraft on such
waters unless it has on board while in operation:
(A) A valid certificate of number is issued in accordance with this
Act, or in accordance with applicable federal law, or in accordance with a federally approved
 numbering system of another State, and unless:
(1) the pocket-sized  certificate of number awarded     to such watercraft is in full force and effect; or
(2) the operator is in possession of a valid 60-day     temporary permit under this Act.
(B) The identifying number set forth in the
certificate of number is displayed on each side of the bow of such
watercraft.
The certificate of number, lease, or rental agreement required by this Section shall be available at all times for inspection at the request of a federal, State, or local law enforcement officer on the watercraft for which it is issued. No person shall operate a watercraft under this Section unless the certificate of number, lease, or rental agreement required is carried on board in a manner that it can be handed to a requesting law enforcement officer for inspection. A holder of a certificate of number shall notify the Department within 30 days if the holder's address no longer conforms to the address appearing on the certificate and shall furnish the Department with the holder's new address.  The Department may provide for in its rules and regulations for the surrender of the certificate bearing the former address and its replacement with a certificate bearing the new address or for the alteration of an outstanding certificate to show the new address of the holder.
(Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-1.5)
Sec. 3-1.5. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13. Repealed by P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-2)
Sec. 3-2. Identification number application. The owner of each watercraft
requiring numbering by this State shall file an application for number with
the Department on forms approved by it. The application shall be signed by
the owner of the watercraft and shall be accompanied by a fee as follows:
A. (Blank).
B. Class 1 (all watercraft less
than 16 feet in length, except
non-powered watercraft.)................
up to $28
C. Class 2 (all watercraft 16
feet or more but less than 26 feet in length
except canoes, kayaks, and non-motorized paddle boats).
up to $60
D. Class 3 (all watercraft 26 feet or more
but less than 40 feet in length)...........
$150
E. Class 4 (all watercraft 40 feet in length
or more)...........................
$200
Upon receipt of the application in approved form, and when satisfied
that no tax imposed pursuant to the "Municipal Use Tax Act" or the "County
Use Tax Act" is owed, or that such tax has been paid, the Department shall
enter the same upon the records of its office and issue to the applicant a
certificate of number stating the number awarded to the watercraft and
the name and address of the owner.
The Department shall deposit 20% of all money collected from watercraft registrations into the Conservation Police Operations Assistance Fund. The monies deposited into the Conservation Police Operations Assistance Fund under this Section shall not be subject to administrative charges or chargebacks unless otherwise authorized by this Act.
(Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-3)
Sec. 3-3. Identification number display.
A. The owner shall paint on or attach to both sides of the bow (front) of a
watercraft the identification number, which shall be of block characters at
least 3 inches in height. The figures shall read from left to right, be of
contrasting color to their background, and be maintained in a legible
condition. No other number shall be displayed on the bow of the boat. In
affixing the number to the boat, a space or a hyphen shall be provided
between the IL and the number and another space or hyphen between the
number and the letters which follow.  On vessels of
unconventional design or constructed so that it is impractical or
impossible to display identification numbers in a prominent position on the
forward half of their hulls or permanent substructures, numbers may be
displayed in brackets or fixtures firmly attached to the vessel. Exact
positioning of the numbers in brackets or protruding fixtures shall be
discretionary with vessel owners, providing the numbers are placed on the
forward half of the vessel and meet the standard requirements for
legibility, size, style and contrast with the background.
B. A watercraft already covered by a number in full force and effect which
has been awarded to it pursuant to Federal law is exempt from number
display as prescribed by this Section.
C. All non-powered watercraft are exempt from number display as
prescribed by this Section.
(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-4)
Sec. 3-4. Destruction, sale, transfer or abandonment. The owner of any watercraft shall
within 15 days notify the Department if the watercraft is
destroyed or abandoned, or is sold or transferred either wholly or in part
to another person or persons. In sale or transfer cases, the notice shall be
accompanied by a surrender of the certificate of number. In destruction or
abandonment cases, the notice shall be accompanied by a surrender of the
certificate of title. When the surrender
of the certificate is by reason of the watercraft being
destroyed or abandoned, the Department shall cancel the certificate and
enter such fact in its records. The Department shall be notified in writing
of any change of address. Should the owner desire a new certificate of
number, showing the new address, he shall surrender his old certificate and
notify the Department of the new address, remitting $1 to cover the
issuance of a new certificate of number. If the surrender is by reason of a
sale or transfer either wholly or in part to another person or persons, the
owner surrendering the certificate shall state to the Department, under
oath, the name of the purchaser or transferee.
Non-powered watercraft are exempt from this Section.
(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-5)
Sec. 3-5. Transfer of identification number. The purchaser of a watercraft
shall, within 15 days after acquiring same, make application to the Department
for transfer to him of the certificate of number issued to the watercraft
giving his name, address and the number of the boat. The purchaser shall apply
for a transfer-renewal for a fee as prescribed under Section 3-2 of this Act
for approximately 3 years. All transfers will bear September 30 expiration dates in
the calendar year of expiration. Upon receipt of the application and fee,
together with proof that any tax imposed under the Municipal Use Tax Act
or County Use Tax Act has been paid or that no such tax is owed, the Department
shall transfer the certificate of number issued to the watercraft to the new
owner.
Unless the application is made and fee paid, and proof of payment of
municipal use tax or county use tax or nonliability therefor is made,
within 30 days, the watercraft shall be deemed to be without certificate of
number and it shall be unlawful for any person to operate the watercraft until
the certificate is issued.
Non-powered watercraft are exempt from this Section.
(Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-6) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-6)
Sec. 3-6. 
		Conformity with United States Government. 
		In the event that an agency of the United States Government has in force
an over-all system of identification numbering for watercraft within the
United States, the numbering system employed pursuant to this Act by the
Department shall be in conformity therewith.
(Source: P.A. 85-149.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-7) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-7)
Sec. 3-7. Loss of certificate; certificate correction. Should a certificate of number or registration expiration decal become
lost, destroyed, or mutilated beyond legibility, or if information required by the Department to be included on the certificate has changed, the owner of the
watercraft shall make application to the Department for the replacement of
the certificate or decal or for a corrected certificate or decal, giving his name, address, and the number of his
boat and shall at the time of application pay to the Department a fee of $5.
(Source: P.A. 102-595, eff. 6-1-22.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-7.5)
Sec. 3-7.5. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13. Repealed by P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-8) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-8)
Sec. 3-8. 
		
		Department records.)  All records of the Department made or
kept pursuant to this Article shall be public records.
(Source: P.A. 86-1088.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-9) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-9)
Sec. 3-9. Certificate of number. Every certificate of number awarded
pursuant to this Act shall continue in full force and effect for
approximately 3 years unless sooner terminated or discontinued in
accordance with this Act. All new certificates issued will bear September 30 
expiration dates in the calendar year 3 years after the issuing date.
Provided however, that the Department may, for purposes of implementing
this Section, adopt rules for phasing in the issuance of new certificates
and provide  for 1, 2 or 3 year expiration dates and pro-rated payments or
charges for each registration.
All certificates shall be renewed for 3 years from the nearest September 30 
for a fee as prescribed in Section 3-2 of this Act.  All certificates
will be invalid after October 15 of the year of expiration. All certificates
expiring in a given year shall be renewed between January 1 and September 30 of
that year, in order to allow sufficient time for processing.
The Department shall issue "registration expiration decals" with all new
certificates of number, all certificates of number transferred and renewed
and all certificates of number renewed. The decals issued for each year
shall be of a different and distinct color from the decals of each other
year currently displayed. The decals shall be affixed to each side of the
bow of the watercraft, except for federally documented vessels, in the
manner prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Department.
Federally documented vessels shall have decals affixed to the watercraft on
each side of the federally documented name of the vessel in the manner
prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Department.
The Department shall fix a day and month of the year on which
certificates of number due to expire shall lapse and no longer be of any
force and effect unless renewed pursuant to this Act.
No number or registration expiration decal other than the number awarded
or the registration expiration decal issued to a watercraft or
granted reciprocity pursuant to this Act shall be painted, attached, or
otherwise displayed on either side of the bow of such watercraft.
A person engaged in the operation of a licensed boat livery shall pay a
fee as prescribed under Section 3-2 of this Act for each watercraft used in
the livery operation.
A person engaged in the manufacture or sale of watercraft of
a type otherwise required to be numbered hereunder, upon application to the
Department upon forms prescribed by it, may obtain certificates of number
for use in the testing or demonstrating of such watercraft upon
payment of $10 for each registration. Certificates of number so issued may
be used by the applicant in the testing or demonstrating of watercraft
by temporary placement of the numbers assigned by such
certificates on the watercraft so tested or demonstrated.
Non-powered watercraft are exempt from this Section.
(Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-10) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-10)
Sec. 3-10. 
		Registration list. 
		A boat registration list may be furnished for official use at no charge
only to such federal, state, county and municipal enforcement agencies as
may require such data.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-11) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-11)
Sec. 3-11. Penalty. No person
shall at any time falsely alter or change in any manner a
certificate of number issued under the provisions hereof, or falsify any
record required by this Act, or counterfeit any form of license provided
for by this Act.
(Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-12) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-12)
Sec. 3-12. Exemption from numbering provisions of this Act. A watercraft
shall not be required to be numbered under this Act if it is:
A. A watercraft which has a valid marine document issued by the United
States Coast Guard, provided the owner of any such vessel used upon the
waters of this State for more than 60 days in any calendar year shall be
required to comply with the registration requirements of Section 3-9 of this
Act.
B. Already covered by a number in full force and effect which has been
awarded to it pursuant to Federal law or a Federally-approved numbering
system of another State, if such boat will not be within this State for a
period in excess of 60 consecutive days.
C. A watercraft from a country other than the United States temporarily
using the waters of this State.
D. A watercraft whose owner is the United States, a State or a subdivision
thereof, and used solely for official purposes and clearly identifiable.
E. A vessel used exclusively as a ship's lifeboat.
F. A watercraft belonging to a class of boats which has been exempted from
numbering by the Department after such agency has found that an agency of the
Federal Government has a numbering system applicable to the class of watercraft
to which the watercraft in question belongs and would be exempt from numbering
if it were subject to the Federal law.
G. Watercraft while competing in any race approved by the Department under
the provisions of Section 5-15 of this Act or if the watercraft is designed and
intended solely for racing while engaged in navigation that is incidental to
preparation of the watercraft for the race.  Preparation of the watercraft for
the race may be accomplished only after obtaining the written authorization of
the Department.
H. Non-powered, owned and operated on water completely impounded on land
belonging to the owner of the watercraft.  This Section does not apply to water
controlled by a club or association.
I. A non-powered watercraft.
(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-13) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-13)
Sec. 3-13. 
		Hull identification numbers. 
		Any watercraft manufactured
after the effective date of this amendatory Act shall have a hull
identification number carved, burned, stamped, embossed, or otherwise
permanently affixed to the outboard side of the transom or, if there is no
transom, to the outermost starboard side at the end of the hull that bears the
rudder or other steering mechanism, above the water line in such a way that
alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and evident.  Any
individual who manufactures any watercraft, either for private or public use,
shall apply to the Department of Natural Resources for
issuance of a Hull Identification Number and shall affix such number to
watercraft as required by the rules and regulations of the Department.
(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)
(625 ILCS 45/3-14) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-14)
Sec. 3-14. 
		A. 
		The Department may issue a historical watercraft identification
plaque for a boat that is (1) at least 25 years of age and (2) powered by
the boat's original type of power plant.  Such a boat shall be known as
a "heritage watercraft".
B.  An application for such a plaque shall be on a form prescribed by the
Department and shall be accompanied by a $25.00 fee.  The heritage watercraft
identification plaque shall be designed by the Department and shall be non-expiring.
C.  When prominently displayed on the boat, a heritage watercraft identification
plaque shall entitle the boat owner to apply to participate in parades,
shows, and special events.  The heritage watercraft plaque does not in itself
qualify a boat for recreational use.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)