Dog Licenses

Dog Licensing Policy and Procedure

According to RSA 466:1-a and 466:4, a current rabies vaccination and either a spaying or neutering certificate, if appropriate, will be required. All dogs, four months old or over, living in the State of New Hampshire must be licensed by their owners in the town or city of residence. License a new adult dog immediately. License a puppy as soon as it is 4 months old.

• The license period runs May 1st through April 30th of each year.
• License renewals are generally accepted after January 1st each year.

State law requires Veterinarians to send copies of rabies inoculations to the clerks where the owner of the animal resides. It is the owners’ responsibility to register their dogs in a timely manner. The Clerk shall annually between June 1 and June 20, prepare a list of owners who have not renewed their licenses by May 31. A civil forfeiture for each unlicensed dog will be issued and the owner is given 15 days to license their dog.

There is a $25 forfeiture fee in addition that is collected by the Clerk along with the license fee and any monthly late charges.

Renewal of licenses may be done by mail and on-line if the clerk has the current rabies information.