Dog Licenses

How to License Your Dog

In the State of New Hampshire all dogs are required to be licensed within 30 days after the age of 4 months.  The dog must have received a rabies vaccination. 

New residents are required to license their dog(s) within 30 days after moving to Dover. 

All dog licenses are renewed each year by the 30th of April, and must be current with their rabies vaccination.

According to RSA 466:13, any owner or keeper of a dog who fails to license the dog pursuant to RSA 466:1 shall forfeit $25.00 (civil forfeiture) to the city clerk of the municipality in which the dog is kept.

WHAT DO I NEED TO LICENSE MY DOG?

If you are new to the area or have never licensed your dog in Dover before, you will need to bring:

• A current copy of your dogs rabies certificate; and
• A copy of their neutering/spaying certificate, if applicable.

You can bring these items to the City Clerk's Office during normal business hours or mail them to us with the appropriate fee.

If you have previously licensed your dog in Dover, you can either come into the City Clerk's Office or mail a copy of the current rabies certificate and the fee to the City Clerk's Office.

You may now renew your dog license online. Click the dog tag below or this link Dog Licensing Online Renewals. In order to maintain privacy, you will need to know your dog's tag number. You can update rabies information online and mail us a copy of the certificate.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The fee to register your dog is as follows:

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T REGISTER MY DOG

If your dog is lost and it is picked up we have no way of notifying you. Secondly, if the dog is picked up or turned into the Police Department, you will be responsible for paying a $25.00 fee for the unlicensed dog, the applicable licensing fee, and a $25.00 transportation charge.

Please help us to keep your pets safe.

If a dog is deceased, and to avoid receiving notice of failure to license, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 603-516-6018.