Dog Licensing

Veterinary Public Health Services

New! The NYC Dog eLocator System is an on-line service available to anyone who finds a lost dog that is wearing a New York City dog license. Learn more.

Apply online for a dog license or renewal license

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the benefits of dog licensing?
• How can I get a dog license application?
• How can I get a new license, an application to
  renew a license, or make a payment online?
• How long will it take to receive the license? Can I
  check the status?
• What are the fees & the application process?
• What are the fees & process for a license renewal?
• What if my address changes before it's time to
  renew the license?
• What is the procedure for service dogs?
• What is the process for guard dogs?
• How can I replace a lost license tag?
• Can I replace a certificate by mail?

Benefits of Licensing

• Licensing helps reunite lost dogs with their owners via the new dog eLocator system.



• With proof of current dog license and rabies vaccination, your dog can run off-leash in the NYC parks dog runs.



• Licensing is important to family emergency preparedness planning to ensure a dog and its owner is reunited in case of separation during an emergency.



• Information about licensed dogs assists in the medical follow-up of individuals potentially exposed to infected dogs, especially important during rabies outbreaks.



• Licensing is key to family emergency preparedness planning to ensure a dog and owner is reunited in case of separation during a citywide emergency.

• Licensing helps enforce the New York State spay/neuter law, which mandates a surcharge on the license fee for unaltered dogs. Spaying or neutering is in the best interest of your pet because it helps reduce the stray animal population and may help reduce unwanted behaviors as well.

How to Obtain an Application

You can apply or renew a dog license online or download one from this web site. You can also call 311 and ask for one to be mailed to you or ask for one from a veterinarian, animal shelter or pet shop.

Online New License, Renewal Application & Payment

You may also apply and make payment online for a new dog license or renew an existing dog license. Registration and credit card payments are accepted.

Time To Receive License & Status

The license should be received approximately 2 to 4 weeks after the owner's check is cashed or credit card is debited (when purchasing online). Status of applications will only be available 3 weeks after owner's check is cashed or credit card is debited by calling 311 and asking for the Dog Licensing Unit.

Fees & Application Process

The fee to license your dog in New York City is $8.50 if your dog is spayed/neutered or $34 if you do not provide proof that your dog is spayed or neutered. A check or money order should be made payable to NYC DOHMH.

In order to prove that your dog is spayed/neutered, you must submit a copy of the certificate of spay/neuter from your veterinarian with the application or complete and notarize the affidavit on the application.

Renewal Fees & Process

You only need to submit an application once. After your dog is licensed a renewal notice will be mailed to you annually. If a renewal form was not received, it can be requested by
calling 311.

The fee to renew a dog license is $8.50 for a spayed or neutered dog and $34 for a dog that is not spayed or neutered. A check or money order should be made payable to NYC DOHMH.

If you are renewing by mail, please return your renewal form and check or money order, made payable to the NYC DOHMH along with any changes to the address below. The envelope should be postmarked no later than the license's expiration date so that the renewal is received within 10 days of license expiration date.

If the license expiration date has passed, including the 10 day grace period, you should add an additional $2 late fee to the cost of the license. An owner is liable for each year a license is not renewed and will be assessed late fees for each year as well. Applications should be mailed to:

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Veterinary Public Health Services
P.O. Box 4768, Church Street Station
New York, NY 10261-4768

Change of Address In-Between Renewals

Change of address information must be provided in-between renewals. Owners may register online and update their information any time by accessing the Dog License Registration System and selecting "Edit Profile". By mail, owners should send a letter with their name, dog license number, and current and changed address information to:

Veterinary Public Health Services,
Dog Licensing Unit
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
125 Worth Street, CN 61
New York, NY 10013

Service Dogs

All dogs, including service dogs are required to purchase a standard NYC Dog License and to renew annually. Owners of service dogs may request, free of charge, a separate Service Dog Tag. An applicant will be required to submit a written statement from a trainer, whose education, experience and training are acceptable to the Department, stating that such dog has been specifically trained to perform a task or tasks for the person applying for the tag. All documentation submitted for a Service Dog Tag must be verified and approved by the Dog Licensing Unit.

The Americans With Disabilities Act defines service animals as such; "Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities – such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets."

Guard Dogs

Owners of guard dogs are required to purchase a standard NYC Dog License and to renew annually for the life of the dog and may do so online.

Pursuant to Health Code § 161.09, all trained guard dogs must be licensed and registered with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and wear at all times, the Guard Dog Tag issued by the Department. In addition, owners are required to have their trained guard dog implanted with a microchip as a permanent form of identification and must supply the identification number to the Department. The fee to register a trained guard dog is $10.00. Please call 311 for instructions and a special application.

Owners and or other persons in control of the premises where a trained guard dog is kept are required to post clear, legible and durable signs warning the public of the presence of such trained guard dog. Such sign must include the name and other contact information for the owner of the trained guard dog. Additionally, all persons who train, sell or rent guard dogs shall post a durable sign or notice, clearly and legibly printed, warning all users that they must comply with the licensing, tagging, micro-chipping, and signage requirements of the Health Code.

How to Replace a Lost License Tag

A dog license tag may be replaced online or by sending a copy of the license certificate with a check or money order for $1.00 payable to NYC DOHMH. The mailing address is:

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Veterinary Public Health Services
P.O. Box 4768, Church Street Station
New York, NY 10261-4768

Replace a Dog License Certificate by Mail

Dog license certificates will be replaced at no charge. Requests can only be made through the Dog License Unit by calling 311 or in writing. Written requests must include owner’s name, address and dog name or license number. The mailing
address is:

Veterinary Public Health Services,
Dog Licensing Unit
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
125 Worth Street, CN-61
New York, NY 10013