Dog License

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All dogs living in NYC, including service dogs, must have a dog license from the NYC Department of Health. Licenses must be renewed annually.

Your dog license must be attached to your dog's collar while in public. Failure to do so may result in fines.

Dog owners can purchase a license that is valid for 1 to 5 years.

A dog license can help dog owners:

  • Find lost dogs.
  • Let their dog go off-leash. With proof of current dog license and rabies vaccination, dogs can run off-leash at City park dog runs.
  • Simplify medical follow-ups. This is especially important if your dog bites someone.
  • Support animal shelters. Licensing fees help fund shelters and pay for free and low-cost spay and neuter programs.

You can apply for, renew, or replace a dog license online or by mail. You can also get the status of a dog license application or renewal.

Get information about dog licensing.

If your dog doesn't live with you in New York City, you should contact New York State or your local health department to get information about licensing your dog where you live.

You can apply for a new dog license or renew a current license in two ways:

Online

You will get your license faster if you apply or renew by using the Department of Health's Online Dog Licensing System. If you choose to place an order online, you must pay with a credit card. A fee of 2% is added to all online dog license transactions.

You should receive your license within 14 days of your order being placed.

By Mail

Paper applications are available. You can have one mailed to you, or you can download and print one from the Department of Health website. 

Download the dog license mail application. 

You can only pay for applications that you file by mail with a check or money order.

Send the application to:

DOHMH Dog Licenses
PO Box 22136
New York, NY 10087-2136

You should receive your license in the mail within 4 weeks of your payment being received by the Department of Health (when your check is cashed).

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to request a copy.

Fees

The license fee is $34. You can pay a reduced fee of $8.50 if your dog is spayed or neutered.

To prove that your dog is spayed or neutered, you must either:

  • Submit a copy of the spay or neuter certificate from your veterinarian along with the application, or
  • Complete and notarize the affidavit on the application

If you are a first-time applicant and your dog is spayed or neutered, you can pay the reduced fee by mailing a paper application. You may then renew your license at the reduced rate online when your license is up for renewal.

If you pay by mail, make the check or money order payable to NYC DOHMH. If you pay online, you must pay by credit or debit card.

Dog Tags

Only newly licensed dogs will receive a dog tag. If you're renewing your dog's license, there is no need for a new tag. Stickers that have the expiration date of the license are no longer being issued.

If your dog has lost his tag, you can order a replacement tag for $1. You can get your tag replaced by using the Online Dog Licensing System.

You can get help using the Department of Health’s online dog licensing system.

Help is available for:

  • Login issues
  • Adding an email address to your license record
  • Changing an email address or other information
  • Understanding and working through error messages

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

Can't Log in to Online System

If you have successfully logged on to the dog licensing system previously and cannot log on now, check which email address you are using. You may have originally signed up using a different email address.

Email Confirmation Not Received

If you did not receive an email confirming your online application was submitted, first check your spam or junk email folders.

If you still can't find it, send an email to dogtag@health.nyc.gov. Include your name and a contact phone number.

You can get help by email if you are trying to license your dog by mail or online and are having problems making a payment.

Send an email to dogtag@health.nyc.gov, describing the problem. Include your contact information and dog license number, if available. The Department of Health will contact you within 3 business days.

Dog license fees are only refundable if there was a technical error.

Dogs Outside of the 5 Boroughs of NYC

If you live outside of NYC and submitted a dog license application by mistake, your payment will be refunded to you within six weeks.

You should contact New York State or your local health department to get information about licensing your dog where you live.

If Your Application Was:

Mailed In

You should receive your new license within four weeks of the check posting to your checking account. If your payment posted more than four weeks ago and you still have not received your license, you can get assistance.

Submitted Online

You should receive your new license within 14 days of the application date. If it has been more than 14 days and you still have not received your license, you can get assistance.

Check the Status of an Application

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

Replacements

Certificates

You can get a free replacement of your dog license certificate by sending an email to dogtag@health.nyc.gov. Include the dog license number, your name and your address. 

If you do not have access to e-mail, you can send a letter with the above information to:

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

Tags

The cost of a replacement tag is $1. You can get your dog license tag replaced by registering and purchasing a replacement tag through the Online Dog Licensing System.

You can also send send a letter requesting a new tag. Include your name and address, dog's name and dog license number, and a $1 check payable to NYC DOHMH to the following address:

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
DOHMH Dog License
P.O. Box 22136
New York, NY 10087-2136

Expiration Stickers

The Department of Health does not replace dog license expiration stickers. You will receive a new sticker when you renew your license.

The sticker is a courtesy to dog owners and is not required to be affixed to the tag. Your printed license certificate is proof of current dog license.

Changes or Corrections

You must notify the Health Department if:

  • Your address or contact information changes
  • Your dog changes owner
  • Your dog dies

Note that dog licenses are not transferable. If a dog changes ownership, the new owner must apply for a new license for that dog.

You can update your license online, by email, or by mail.

Your letter or email must include:

  • Dog owner's name
  • Dog owner's address (if submitting an address change, include both the current and updated address)
  • Dog's name
  • Dog license number
  • Updated information

Online

Update the license using the Online Dog Licensing System.

By Email

Send the email to dogtag@health.nyc.gov.

By Mail

Send the letter to:

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Veterinary Public Health Services
Dog Licensing Unit
125 Worth Street, CN 32R
New York, NY 10013

Return a Found Dog License Tag

You may mail a found dog license tag to the following address:

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

Further Assistance

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

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