Free Illinois Boat Bill of Sale

Illinois titles boats through the Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), NOT the Secretary of State. Boats bought from a private seller also use Form RUT-75 (6.25% of sale price) instead of the age-based RUT-50 used for cars — so boats may pay more tax than an equivalent-value car in Illinois.

Illinois Requirements: Apply for title within 20 days after the vehicle and the signed title are delivered; the RUT-50 tax form is due within 30 days of purchase. Private-party RUT-50 (flat-dollar) applies; it is not a flat percentage of the price.

Seller Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Buyer Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Boat Details

Year *

Make *

Model *

Hull ID Number (HIN) *

Length (ft) *

Engine Type *

Color

Trailer Included *

Trailer VIN (if included)

Sale Information

Sale Price ($) *

Payment Method *

Date of Sale *

County of Sale (if known)

Applicable Taxes Paid By

Condition & Warranty

Sold AS-IS (no warranty)

Warranty Details (if applicable)

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Boats are sold with undisclosed liens far more often than cars. Our guide covers running a title search, decoding the HIN, separating boat and trailer titles, and what a Coast Guard document means for the transfer process. Read: Boat Bill of Sale: Complete Guide →

Illinois Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form

IDNR Watercraft Title Application

Illinois Watercraft Registration and Title Application

Agency

IDNR

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Primary ID Field

HIN (Hull ID Number)

Sales Tax

See state rules

Title Required

Yes

IDNR titles watercraft 22 feet and longer; titling is optional under 22 feet. All boats powered by a motor (including trolling motors) or by sail must be registered; paddled or rowed boats do not need registration.

Inspection

Not required

Sales Tax Details

Boats bought from a private seller pay 6.25% state watercraft use tax on Form RUT-75 — NOT the age-based RUT-50 like cars. Boats under 16 feet (except jet skis) bought from a private seller need no tax return.

Inspection Requirements

No state safety or emissions inspection for watercraft. USCG federal safety equipment rules apply.

Illinois Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

Verify HIN on transom matches title.
Complete bill of sale with HIN, length, year/make, motor serial, sale price.
Trailer? Trailer titles through Illinois SOS separately using VSD 190 (a trailer bought from a private seller owes no RUT-50 tax).
Seller signs IDNR title over to buyer.
Buyer completes the IDNR watercraft application online or by mail (IDNR offices do not process title or registration over the counter).
Buyer files Form RUT-75 and pays 6.25% state watercraft use tax on the sale price (not needed for boats under 16 feet, except jet skis).
Boats under 22 feet can be registered without a title; paddled or rowed boats need no registration.
USCG-documented vessels: federal title, still subject to IL use tax if used in-state.

Common Pitfalls

Going to the Secretary of State — boats go through IDNR, not SOS.
Expecting RUT-50 tax — boats bought privately use RUT-75 (6.25% flat), which is often higher than RUT-50 for comparable-value used cars.
Forgetting the trailer is separate — trailer goes through SOS with VSD 190.
Assuming sailboats are exempt — every boat with a motor or sail must be registered, and boats 22 feet and longer need a title.

Pro Tip

IL boats: IDNR (not SOS), RUT-75 (not RUT-50), HIN (not VIN). Trailers go separately through SOS — plan for two agencies if selling boat+trailer together.

Illinois Boat Bill of Sale — FAQs

Why does Illinois title boats through IDNR instead of the SOS?

Illinois IDNR manages waterways, boating safety, and licensing, so titling and registration were placed with the same agency. The Secretary of State handles cars, motorcycles, and trailers — but not boats. Two separate state agencies, two separate processes.

What tax do I pay on a boat in Illinois?

For a boat bought from a private seller, Illinois charges 6.25% watercraft use tax on the sale price, filed on Form RUT-75 (boats under 16 feet, except jet skis, are not taxed in a private sale). Unlike cars, there's no age-based RUT-50 schedule — boats pay a straight percentage regardless of age, so older boats pay proportionally more in IL than older cars do.

Do I need to title a kayak in Illinois?

No. Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and rowboats that are paddled, poled, or rowed do not need a title or registration in Illinois (the old Water Usage Stamp was repealed in 2018). A kayak with a trolling motor must be registered, and any boat 22 feet or longer must be titled.

Other Illinois Templates

Vehicle Bill of Sale Car Bill of Sale Used Car Bill of Sale Motorcycle Bill of Sale Trailer Bill of Sale Horse Bill of Sale ATV Bill of Sale Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale RV Bill of Sale General Bill of Sale Free Printable Bill of Sale Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale As-Is Bill of Sale Gift Bill of Sale

Boat in Other States

Texas Florida Georgia Missouri Utah Oregon Alabama Colorado Connecticut Arkansas

How to Fill Out

Step-by-step guide for Illinois

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