A copy of the last enrollment, if any, of such water craft shall be recited in the bill of sale if such copy can be obtained, and a copy of the judgment, with the order of sale, or if such craft is sold pursuant to an order before judgment, a copy of such order shall also be recited in such bill of sale, certified by the clerk, under the seal of the court; and such bill of sale shall be full and complete evidence of the regularity of the judgment or order and sale, in all courts and places, and shall supersede the necessity of any other proof thereof to validate the bill of sale; and all bills of sale containing such recital, and supported by such proof, are effectual to pass the title of such water craft.
4-225.Bill of sale.
Article IV. Attachment · Part 2. Watercraft · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceSection 4-225 requires the bill of sale to recite the craft's last enrollment and the judgment or sale order, certified under the clerk's seal, making the bill complete evidence of the sale's regularity and enough by itself to pass title.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/4-225
Plain-English Summary
The bill of sale a purchaser receives is not a bare receipt; the statute dictates what it must recite. It must include a copy of the craft's last enrollment, if any can be obtained, and a copy of the judgment and order of sale — or, for a craft sold under an order entered before judgment, a copy of that order instead — certified by the clerk under the court's seal.
A bill of sale carrying those recitals, supported by that certification, becomes full and complete evidence of the regularity of the judgment or order and sale in every court and place. It supersedes the need for any other proof and is, by itself, effectual to pass title to the water craft.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a watercraft bill of sale recite?
A copy of the craft's last enrollment, if obtainable, and a copy of the judgment and order of sale (or the pre-judgment order authorizing sale), certified by the clerk under the court's seal.
What legal effect does a properly recited bill of sale carry?
It is full and complete evidence of the regularity of the judgment or order and the sale, in all courts and places.
Does the buyer need additional proof that the sale was valid?
No — the certified recitals supersede the need for any other proof.
Does this bill of sale transfer title to the craft?
Yes; a bill of sale containing the required recitals and supported by the required certification is effectual to pass title.
What if the craft was sold before judgment under Section 4-217?
The bill recites the order entered before judgment that authorized that earlier sale.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 82-280.)
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: bill of sale illinois vessel titlecertified bill of sale watercraft saleenrollment recital bill of sale boatevidence of regularity vessel sale