Dog licences

Licensing your dog

All dogs must have a valid licence and wear identification with the name and address of their keeper, either on a tag or engraved on a collar plate. Owners must supply the identification themselves. A dog licence is valid for one year. 

You do not need to license your dog if it is:

• a puppy under six months old and kept by the person who is also the keeper of the puppy's mother
• an assistance dog used by a disabled person
• a police dog

Cost of a dog licence

How to apply

If you are licensing your dog for the first time and you don’t qualify for a concession you can do this online.

Apply for a new dog licence

You can also email dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk or call us on 028 9027 0431 to request an application form.

We can't register dogs as 'mongrels'. You can check the breed of your dog by visiting the Kennel Club website (link opens in new window).

Any information you provide in this application is open to public scrutiny, and if requested we have a legal obligation to provide it.

How to renew

Each year, around two weeks before your dog licence is due to expire, we will send you a renewal reminder. 

You can only renew your licence online from 30 days before it is due to expire and for 30 days after its renewal date.

Your dog licence and microchip number will be on the top right of your reminder, and you should use these numbers when renewing your licence. If you are renewing your licence online, please make sure to enter the licence and microchip number exactly as they appear on your reminder.

You can renew a single dog licence online.

• Renew your dog licence online 

Concessionary rate licences

You can apply for a concessionary rate licence online or by post.

You can apply for a concessionary rate for your dog licence if you:

• are over 65
• receive income related benefit or a member of a couple that receives an income related benefit.
• have had your dog neutered or spayed

However, you may need to provide us with proof that you are eligible for this discount.

We will carry out random validation checks on your eligibility for a concessionary rate dog licence and you must provide proof on request.

Documents needed

If you are applying for a discount because you receive any of the benefits above you may need to show us proof you qualify for the reduced price.

• a printed letter from a local Social Security Agency/Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• the letter must show your name and address
• the letter must be stamped and dated (the date should not be more than six months old).

Once we have registered your proof of age and if the dog has been spayed or neutered we will hold these on file and you will not have to produce them when renewing your licence.

If you are in receipt of any of these benefits you may need to provide proof of this each time you license your dog, as circumstances may have changed.

Apply for a block dog licence

A block dog licence is for dog breeders or dog owners with three or more Kennel Club-registered dogs. It's valid for one year.

To apply for a block dog licence, request an application form from dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk

Anyone wishing to buy a block dog licence must supply certificates of registration with the Kennel Club along with their application. We accept copies of registration documents and will return these once we issue the licence.

No concessions are available for block licences.

Refunds and transfers

If your dog dies, you can apply for a refund of your licence. You must apply within 30 days of your dog's death.

• Request a dog licence refund application form from dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk

You can also transfer your licence to another dog but you must do this within 30 days of your dog's death.

• Request a dog licence transfer certificate application form from dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk

Fines for not licensing your dog

The fixed penalty notices for dog licensing offences are:

• not having a licence for your dog - £80 (£50 if paid within 14 days)
• not displaying an ID on your dog - £80 (£50 if paid within 14 days)

If you do not pay a fixed penalty notice, you could be taken to court, where you could be fined up to £1,000.

Pay a fine

Prohibited dog breeds

Prohibited dog breeds cannot be registered unless they have an exemption. These breeds include the:

• Pit Bull Terrier,
• Dogo Argentino,
• Fila Braziliero
• and Japanese Tosa.

If you would like to discuss, email dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk or call us on 028 9027 0431.