How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in Illinois?
Registering a boat in Illinois costs $18–$200 per 3-year cycle, based on length. It's handled by the Illinois DNR and renews every 3 years. Non-motorized craft like kayaks and canoes are generally exempt (check local rules for sailboats). Boats with motors — including trolling motors on otherwise unpowered craft — almost always require registration.
Cost by boat size
| Boat | Per year | One-time (title etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| 14-ft motorboat | $6.00 | — |
| 20-ft motorboat | $16.67 | — |
| 28-ft motorboat | $50.00 | — |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | Free — exempt from registration | |
- Renewal rates shown; new registrations/transfers run $28/$60/$160/$210 plus a $2 processing fee. Motorized canoes and kayaks fall in the smallest class.
- Unpowered craft need nothing — the old Water Usage Stamp was repealed in 2018. Titling is optional under 22 ft.
Illinois: common questions
Do I have to register a kayak or canoe in Illinois?
Generally no — unpowered craft are exempt in Illinois. But the moment you mount any motor, including an electric trolling motor, registration is required.
How often do I renew a boat registration in Illinois?
Every 3 years — the fee shown covers the full 3-year period.
Do I have to register my boat trailer separately in Illinois?
Yes — in Illinois the boat and the trailer are two separate registrations. The boat's fee is above; the trailer registers as a utility trailer with the motor-vehicle agency, priced by the trailer's weight (often a low flat fee or a one-time permanent plate). See our Illinois trailer registration calculator for that cost.
Do I need a title for my boat in Illinois?
No — Illinois does not title boats. Your Certificate of Number (the registration) serves as the ownership record, so there's no separate title fee.
Do I have to register a jet ski or PWC in Illinois?
Yes — personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners) are motorized vessels, so they register just like boats in Illinois, usually in the smallest length class. The same Illinois DNR handles them, and the same fee schedule applies.
Where do I register a boat in Illinois?
Boat registration in Illinois is handled by the Illinois DNR. You can generally register in person, by mail, or online, and you'll need proof of ownership (a bill of sale or title) plus the fee shown above. Renew every 3 years before your decal expires.
Estimate your exact Illinois cost
Your boat
- Registration fee (by length)$50 per 3-year cycle$50.01
Estimate only — actual fees are set by your state and county at the time of registration. Data last reviewed 2026-07-16.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/vehicles/basicfees.html — last reviewed 2026-07-16.