The sheriff or other officer to whom such order for attachment is directed shall forthwith serve a certified copy of the order upon such defendant as summons is served in other civil cases, and attaching the vessel, her tackle, apparel and furniture, and shall keep the same until disposed of as hereinafter provided. The sheriff or other officer shall also, on or before the return day in such order, or at any time after the service thereof, make a return to the court, stating therein particularly his or her doings in the premises, and shall make, subscribe and annex thereto a just and true inventory of all the property so attached.
4-208.Serving of order.
Article IV. Attachment · Part 2. Watercraft · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceSection 4-208 has the sheriff serve a certified copy of the attachment order like an ordinary summons, physically attach and hold the vessel, and later file a return with a sworn inventory of the property seized.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/4-208
Plain-English Summary
The officer who receives the attachment order must serve a certified copy on the defendant the same way a summons is served in other civil cases, and must attach the vessel, its tackle, apparel, and furniture, keeping it until it is disposed of under the later sections of this Part.
The officer must also make a return to the court — on or before the return day named in the order, or any time after service — describing in detail what was done, and must attach a sworn, true inventory of everything seized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the attachment order served?
By serving a certified copy on the defendant the same way a summons is served in other civil cases.
What happens to the vessel once it is attached?
The officer keeps it until it is disposed of as later sections of this Part provide.
What must the officer file with the court afterward?
A return describing the actions taken, with a subscribed, true inventory of the property attached.
By when must the officer make that return?
On or before the return day named in the order, or at any time after service.
What decides how the vessel is eventually released or sold?
Later sections in this Part — covering bonding, appraisement, and sale — govern its disposition.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 83-707.)
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: sheriff serving boat attachment illinoisvessel inventory attachment illinoisillinois attachment return and servicecertified copy summons watercraft