Dog License

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Alert

All NYC Health Department licenses and permits that will expire or require renewal are extended for the duration of the State of Emergency in accordance with Emergency Executive Order 107.

Visit the Department of Health's permits and licenses page for the latest updates.

Read Executive Order 107.

Need something else?

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

You can obtain, 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.

How to Apply or Renew

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:

NYC DOHMH
Citywide Dog License
P.O. BOX 786602
Philadelphia, PA 19178-6602

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 to request a paper copy.

Fees

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/neutered.

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

A check or money order should be made payable to NYC DOHMH.

If you are a first-time applicant and your dog is spayed/neutered, you can pay the reduced $8.50 fee by mailing in a paper application. You may then renew your license at the reduced rate online when your license is up for renewal.

Dog Tag Replacement and Renewal Information

Only newly licensed dogs will receive a dog tag.

Licenses must be renewed annually. 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.

Service Dogs

All dog owners, including owners of Service Dogs, are required to get a New York City dog license and renew it annually. There are no other licenses or permits required for service dogs.

The American Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. The ADA does not require state or local certification for service dogs. Business owners must abide by the requirements of the ADA with respect to service dogs and allow access to their establishments or facilities regardless of whether the dog is wearing a service tag or not.

Outside of New York City

The City of New York licenses only those dogs that live with their owners in New York City's five boroughs.

If you live outside of the 5 boroughs and submitted a dog license application to the City of New York, your payment will be refunded to you. Refunds take about six weeks to be processed.

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

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

Assistance 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 for assistance by phone.

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.

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.

People Who Live Outside of the 5 Boroughs of NYC

If you live outside of the New York City's five boroughs and submitted a dog license application to the City of New York, 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 for assistance by phone.

Did Not Receive Email Confirmation

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 locate your confirmation message, send an email to dogtag@health.nyc.gov. Include your name and a contact phone number.

Outside of New York City

The City of New York licenses only those dogs that live with their owners in New York City's five boroughs.

If you live outside of the 5 boroughs and submitted a dog license application to the City of New York, your payment will be refunded to you. Refunds take about six weeks to be processed.

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

You can learn how to make changes to a dog license, request a replacement dog tag or license certificate, or report a found dog license tag.

Certificate Replacement

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:

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

Dog License Expiration Sticker Replacement

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.

Dog License Tag Replacement

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 a copy of the license certificate, your name and address, the dog's name, and a $1 check or money order payable to NYC DOHMH to the following address:

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

Changing or Correcting Information on a License

Dog Owner Change

Dog licenses are not transferable. If a dog changes ownership, the new owner must apply online or by mail for a new license for that dog.

Changing or Correcting Information on a License

You must notify the Department of Health in writing of any changes to a dog owner's address. You can also correct information on a dog license certificate or in your online information.

Changes or corrections are done by regular mail or email.

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
Corrected information

Send the email to dogtag@health.nyc.gov, or send the letter to:

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

Return a Found Dog License Tag

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

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

Further Assistance

Call 311 for assistance.

Apply or Renew

Technical Assistance for Online System

Payment Problems

Dog License Status

Change, Replace, or Report a Found Dog License

Was this information helpful? Yes No