Dog Licenses

Town Clerk Monthly Mascot

To enter your dog, please:

  • Make sure your dog has an up-to-date Dog License for the 26-'27 year.
  • Send an image to the Town Clerk
    • Images must contain Only dog/s, no humans please!
    • Images must show your dog/s in a well-known Chesterfield location to be considered
    • Entries are chosen monthly - we keep all entries and will evaluate images each month
    • You may reenter your dog more than once - enter monthly if you like!

Renewal Dog License

  • You may renew today via online payments or stop by the office and register in person during window hours.
  • If you have received a postcard from the Town Clerk about a dog not previously licensed, note that we have assigned a temporary license Number and you may use this Number to renew the dog license. (No need to use the new dog license feature.)

New Dog License

  • Currently, these are completed at the town clerk's office during window hours or Online using the New License under Dogs.
  • Please bring the current rabies vaccination form to complete the process, or scan the form while completing the Online new dog licensing.
  • You lived locally in the past year. We may have already entered your dog's information into the system. Give us a call or email us to find out. (All veterinarians are required to provide rabies information for all dogs in the state.)
  • Note, if you have received a postcard or letter from the Town Clerk's office about a new dog license, you may use the Renew feature online with the temporary license number provided in the communication.

Your dog just got an updated rabies vaccination:

  • Make sure to bring a copy with you in case we haven't received it from your vet. They typically send them once a month or sometimes less often.

Your dog is exempt from vaccination because of a medical condition:

Please note that the office sends out email reminders during the year to alert owners to renewal time. Make sure we have a current email under your dog's license - just give us a call.

Way of Registering a Dog

  • All dogs in the state of New Hampshire must be registered between January 1st and April 30th of each year.
  • To register a dog, the town clerk's office must receive a copy of the dog's rabies certificate to keep on file.
  • Dogs, just like vehicles and trailers, can be registered in person, online or via mail, or drop box. **If using drop box or mailing-in services, you must include $1 for postage for the returned license to your address.

The Cost Is

  • $7.00 for neutered or spayed dogs or puppies under the age of 7 months.
  • $9 for unaltered dogs
  • $2.25 for the first dog registered to a household with a family member over 65 years of age.

Starting in June, failure to register will result in fines and civil forfeitures and can lead to a court summons and additional fees.

General Information about Dogs and Dog Licensing in NH:

  • Dog licenses are required for all dogs living in New Hampshire.
  • These licenses vary in fee depending upon the age and neuter/spay status of the dog.
  • To obtain a dog license, your dog must have an up-to-date rabies vaccine. The first time you register a dog, you will need to come into the Town Clerk's Office during window hours. Afterward, you may re-register your dog online as long as we have an up-to-date rabies vaccination on record.
  • Senior citizens do get one discounted license per household.
  • Kennels of 5 or more dogs can receive a kennel license with proof of vaccination for each dog owned. This is a set fee.
  • If you have a new dog, your vet will send us vaccination information, as this is required by law. Don't be surprised if you receive a letter from us between February and April asking you to register any new dogs in your household.

The registration window goes until April 30 of each year without penalty.

After this time, fees will be assessed. During June, a list of unregistered dogs is provided to the Board of Selectmen. Soon after, local police will serve owners Civil Forfeitures with additional fees starting at $25.

We are now able to process your motor vehicle renewal, dog license renewal, and/or a request for vital records online. Visit the EB2 Gov Website to make an online payment.