Do Kayaks Have To Be Registered In Illinois?

In Illinois, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards are considered unpowered vessels by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This exemption allows non-motorized vessels to be exempt from registration. However, all canoes and kayaks must have a life-long license onboard. Illinois law requires kayakers to register their boats on state waterways, including residents who own and use kayaks for leisure or otherwise.

Unpowered watercraft, such as canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, are not required to be registered in Illinois. However, they must have an Illinois Certificate of Number (registration), expiration decals, and Certificate of Title to operate a vessel legally on public waters. Unpowered watercraft include sailboats or vessels that are paddled, poled, or rowed.

Vessels powered solely by human effort carry no obligation for registration. The registration fee is 13 for the first three years, and renewal is 6 every three-year period after that. No licenses are required unless a gas engine is involved, but a boat does not require registration.

Recreational watercraft that do not require registration include kayaks, canoes, rafts, paddle boards, and kiteboards. Operator licensing is required, and all operators must obey laws regulating vessel registration, titling, and operation.

In conclusion, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards without motors do not need to be registered in Illinois. However, they must have an Illinois Certificate of Number, expiration decals, and Certificate of Title to operate their vessels legally on public waterways.

Can I get a boat title with a bill of sale in Illinois?

Bills of sale or purchase agreements are required when registering boats purchased outside of Illinois and boats purchased in Illinois from a retailer.

Once you have gathered everything you need, mail it to:

• Watercraft
• Department of Natural Resources
• P.O. Box 19226
• Springfield, IL 62794

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources only accepts new watercraft registration applications in the mail. You can not apply for registration in person or online.

You have 15 days to apply to get your boat registered and titled after you purchase it. Applications for registration can take up to twelve weeks to process after payment has been received. The good news is that this won’t delay your boating timeline. You can temporarily operate your watercraft for a period of 60 days from the date of application. Just be sure to carry a copy of your application on board with you during this period. You will receive a temporary registration after applying.

Do I need to register a kayak in Illinois?

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Illinois, you must have an Illinois Certificate of Number (registration), expiration decals, and Certificate of Title to operate a vessel legally on public waters. Exceptions to the requirement to register recreational vessels include:

• Unpowered vessels, including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards
• Vessels 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 (USCG) and using Illinois waters for less than 60 consecutive days
• Vessels used solely as lifeboats
• Vessels registered in other countries temporarily using Illinois water
• Vessels used exclusively and solely for racing purposes

Vessels 21 feet and under in length are not required to have a Certificate of Title.

Do I have to register my kayak in Illinois?

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Illinois, you must have an Illinois Certificate of Number (registration), expiration decals, and Certificate of Title to operate a vessel legally on public waters. Exceptions to the requirement to register recreational vessels include:

• Unpowered vessels, including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards
• Vessels 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 (USCG) and using Illinois waters for less than 60 consecutive days
• Vessels used solely as lifeboats
• Vessels registered in other countries temporarily using Illinois water
• Vessels used exclusively and solely for racing purposes

Vessels 21 feet and under in length are not required to have a Certificate of Title.

How to register a kayak with a trolling motor in Illinois?

Registering A New Boat In IllinoisCompleted Online Watercraft Application – check the NEW box.Original Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin.Electronic Payment for registration fees (see fee chart)No tax return required.

Submittal of an application does not mean a guaranteed approval of an application. We review each transaction on a case by case basis.

Brand New Watercraft – Class 1 (EXCEPT jet skis/PWCs) – purchased from an Illinois dealer or retailer.

• Completed Online Watercraft Application – check the NEW box
• Original Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin
• Electronic Payment for registration fees(see fee chart)
• No tax return required

Can you kayak without a life jacket?

For a boat less than 16 feet long, or a canoe or a kayak of any length, you are required to:

• Everyone on board a personal watercraft (popularly known as “jet skis”) and anyone being towed behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• A Coast Guard-approved life jacket must be carried for each person on board. If stored, these life jackets must be readily available (easy to get to), and you must show passengers the location of life jackets and other safety equipment.
• Anyone using an underwater maneuvering device is exempt from wearing a life jacket. An underwater maneuvering device is any towed or self-powered device designed for underwater use that a person can pilot through diving, turning and surfacing moves.

For a boat 16 feet or longer, you must carry for each passenger:

1. The same requirements as above and one immediately accessible (easy-to-reach) Type IV device designed for throwing – such as a ring, cushion or horseshoe buoy for each boat.

What is a class 1 watercraft in Illinois?

Class 1- All powered watercraft less than 16 ft.

• I have misplaced my watercraft title and wish to sell my boat
• what do I do?
• I have lost my title
• how can I obtain another one?
• I lost my registration card
• how do I obtain a new one?
• I lost my registration card and have moved
• how do I obtain a new card and change my address?
• I lost my decals
• how do I obtain another set? I had my boat painted and they had to remove my decals
• how can I obtain replacements?
• How do I change my last name, first name or middle initial on my watercraft title and/or registration card?
• What is the fee for a duplicate and/or corrected watercraft titles, registration cards and decals?

• Why is my Online transaction still in pending status?
• Have you received my watercraft paper application and is it being processed?
• Where do I mail my watercraft application?
• To whom do I make my check payable for my watercraft title/registration?
• I have moved and have not received my title, registration card or decals.
• How long does it take for my application to be processed?
• I mailed my paperwork to your office last week. Have you received it?

• I purchased a brand new boat or a boat that was titled/registered out-of-state. What do I need to title/register the boat in my name in Illinois?
• I purchased a boat that has no hull ID number or previous registration. What do I do?
• I purchased a boat from someone who had it titled/registered in Illinois. How do I transfer it into my name?
• I purchased a watercraft that was titled in Illinois and one of the owners listed on the title is deceased and the boat was not titled in joint tenancy. What do I need to transfer the title/registration into my name?
• Where can I go to purchase my watercraft title, registration card and/or decals over-the-counter?
• I made a boat. How do I get it titled/registered?

Can you float the Illinois River in your own kayak?

Welcome to the Illinois River, one of Oklahoma’s premier water resources. We at the GRDA Scenic Rivers Operations hope you enjoy the many recreational opportunities the river area has to offer. Visitors with their own kayak, canoe, raft, inner tube, or other vessel need a Private Float Permit.

Do you have to have a life jacket on a kayak in Illinois?

Illinois law requires the following with respect to PFDs.

• All vessels must have at least one USCG–approved wearable PFD for each person on board or being towed. All vessels 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, also must carry one USCG–approved throwable device.
• No person may operate any watercraft unless an approved and appropriately sized wearable USCG–approved PFD is being worn by each person under the age of 13 on the deck of a watercraft or in an open watercraft at all times in which the watercraft is underway. However, this requirement shall not apply to persons who are enclosed in a cabin or below the top deck on a watercraft, on an anchored watercraft that is a platform for swimming or diving, or aboard a charter “passenger for hire” watercraft with a licensed captain.
• If a person chooses to wear a PFD that is not USCG approved (when not specifically required), a properly fitting USCG–approved PFD must be carried on board the vessel to meet the state and federal carriage requirements.
• A PWC or a specialty prop-craft may not be operated unless each person on board is wearing a USCG–approved PFD. (Inflatable PFDs are not approved for PWC or prop-craft use.)
• All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition and readily accessible. The PFDs must be of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size.