Upon the filing of such complaint and bond, the court shall enter an order for attachment against the owners of such water craft, directed to the sheriff of the county, or other officer if the sheriff is disqualified or unavailable to attach such water craft. Such owners may be designated by their reputed names, by surnames, and joint defendants by their separate or partnership names, or by such names, styles or titles as they are usually known. If the name of any owner is unknown, he or she may be designated as unknown owner.
4-206.Designation of defendants.
Article IV. Attachment · Part 2. Watercraft · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceSection 4-206 has the court, once the complaint and bond are filed, enter an attachment order against the craft's owners directed to the sheriff, naming owners by reputed name or as unknown owners when necessary.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/4-206
Plain-English Summary
Once the complaint and bond are on file, the court enters an order of attachment against the owners of the water craft. The order is directed to the sheriff of the county, or to another officer if the sheriff is disqualified or unavailable to carry it out.
The section gives flexibility in naming defendants: owners may be designated by their reputed names, by surnames, joint defendants by their separate or partnership names, or by whatever name, style, or title they are usually known by. If an owner's identity is not known at all, that owner may be named as an unknown owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does the court direct the attachment order to?
The sheriff of the county, or another officer if the sheriff is disqualified or unavailable.
How can owners be named if their exact legal name is uncertain?
By reputed name, surname, or whatever name, style, or title they are usually known by.
Can co-owners be sued under a partnership name?
Yes — joint defendants may be designated by their partnership name.
What if the plaintiff cannot identify any owner at all?
That owner may be designated as an unknown owner.
What triggers entry of this order?
The filing of the complaint and bond required by Sections 4-204 and 4-205.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 84-631.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: unknown owner boat attachment illinoisdesignating defendants watercraft lienillinois sheriff vessel attachment orderreputed name attachment defendant