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Illinois Boat Bill of Sale

Illinois does not require a bill of sale, but the Illinois Secretary of State recommends one. Fill in the form below and download a free, one-page Illinois boat bill of sale PDF that includes everything the Illinois Secretary of State looks for. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Illinois
Boat Bill of Sale

Seller

Buyer

Boat details

Price and terms

How to sell a boat in Illinois

A boat bill of sale identifies the vessel by its Hull Identification Number (HIN), covers the motor and trailer if they are part of the deal, and records the price and date. Most states register boats through the wildlife or parks agency rather than the DMV, and nearly all of them accept a signed bill of sale as proof of purchase.

Seller steps

  1. Confirm you hold clear title. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
  2. Agree on the price and fill in the Illinois boat bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the HIN.
  3. Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. Illinois does not require a notary.
  4. Sign the title over to the buyer exactly as your name appears on it, and complete the odometer section on the title if the boat has one.
  5. Hand over the boat and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.

Buyer steps

  1. Bring the signed bill of sale, the signed title and your ID to the Illinois Secretary of State.
  2. Expect to pay sales or use tax on the price shown on the bill of sale, plus title and registration fees.
  3. Register within Illinois's deadline, commonly 10 to 30 days from the sale date, to avoid late penalties.

Before you sign

  • The HIN is on the transom (back right corner), 12 characters.
  • List the outboard motor separately with its serial number; motors are often registered or titled on their own.
  • If a trailer is included, add its VIN; the trailer is titled through the DMV, not the boat office.
  • Note whether the sale includes electronics, life jackets or other gear.

Why a bill of sale matters for a boat

  • Boats, motors and trailers can be three separate pieces of property; one bill of sale ties them to one sale.
  • The state boat registration office needs the price for tax.
  • Many used boats have no title; the bill of sale is the ownership chain.
  • An as-is clause matters more on boats, where hidden hull or engine damage is common.

Want both parties to walk away with a signed copy and a notary page ready? The $9 ready-to-sign pack adds them.

Illinois at a glance

Bill of sale
Not required, strongly recommended
Notary
Notarization optional
Official state form
None published; any signed bill of sale is accepted
Where the buyer registers
Illinois Secretary of State (www.ilsos.gov)
Buyer's deadline to title
20 days from the sale
License plates
Stay with seller

Illinois buyers have 20 days to put the title in their name, and the tax form (RUT-50) asks for the purchase price, so a signed bill of sale keeps both sides straight. Sellers should file the Seller's Report of Sale (VSD 703) to end liability. Plates stay with the seller.

Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.

Other Illinois forms

Boat Bill of Sale in other states

All states →

Illinois boat bill of sale questions

Is a bill of sale required to sell a boat in Illinois?+

Illinois does not require a bill of sale, but the Illinois Secretary of State recommends one. Illinois buyers have 20 days to put the title in their name, and the tax form (RUT-50) asks for the purchase price, so a signed bill of sale keeps both sides straight. Sellers should file the Seller's Report of Sale (VSD 703) to end liability. Plates stay with the seller. Illinois has no mandatory form, so any complete, signed bill of sale like the one generated here is accepted.

Does a Illinois boat bill of sale need to be notarized?+

Illinois does not require notarization. Two signatures are enough. If you want extra certainty, the ready-to-sign pack includes a notary acknowledgment page you can use anyway.

Where does the buyer take the bill of sale in Illinois?+

To the Illinois Secretary of State or the county office that handles vessel registration, together with the signed title, proof of insurance where required, and payment for tax and fees.

Does a boat bill of sale need to be notarized?+

A handful of states ask for a notarized bill of sale on vessels without a title. Check the state registration page linked on each state page here, or use the notary block in the ready-to-sign pack.

Do I need a separate bill of sale for the trailer?+

You can list the trailer on the same document, but some DMVs want a separate bill of sale for the trailer because it is titled separately. Generate one on the trailer page in a minute.