Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to AKC's Online Services! The AKC is pleased to present Litter Registration, Dog Registration, Online Breeder Classifieds, and Online Accounts as the first of many anticipated services available at akc.org.

System Requirements
  • 486/66 or higher processor (Pentium processor recommended)
  • 64 MB RAM or more (minimum of 128 MB RAM is recommended)
  • Windows 95 or higher operating system OR Mac Operating system
  • 56k modem connection (cable modem or DSL recommended)
  • Internet Explorer 5.0, or higher or Netscape 6.0 or higher with Cookies enabled
  • Mouse and keyboard
Are you using Norton Anti-virus software on your PC? Click here for more information.

Your comments and suggestions regarding our Online Services are welcome.

Online Litter Registration

Where is the certificate issue date located?
Answer: The certificate issue date is located here on the registration certificate, not on the pedigree. If you do not know the certificate issue date, please Request Certificate Issue Date and complete the form.


I entered the wrong e-mail address for the sire owner. Can you correct the e-mail address and send the sire owner an e-mail?
Answer: The e-mail verification to the sire owner is not necessary to complete an online litter registration. You can simply contact the sire owner and notify them they need to go to //www.apps.akc.org/classic/litters/index.cfm and click on Sire Owner to enter the Sire Owner approval section and complete the litter registration process. If this has not been completed in ten days, a letter will be mailed to the sire owner.

Why can one owner of a co-owned dam submit an online litter application?
Answer:

The AKC Board of Directors approved a policy change in July, 2003 to require only one owner of a co-owned dam to submit an application online. The owner submitting the application is required to have permission of all the co-owners of the dam and be able to support the permission to the AKC upon request. The policy of requiring all the co-owners to sign-off on a puppy sale is still in effect. If an owner was to register a litter online without the other co-owners permission, by the time of the puppy sale the co-owners would have had to agree in order to sell the puppy, or the owner would have committed fraud by registering online, and would perpetrate additional fraud by signing all the co-owners names to the application.

Click here to review a Sample Authorization Form

By clicking on the [I Agree and Certify] button while submitting an application, you are authenticating the information provided as you would be with a written signature. Any misrepresentation on this application or any AKC application may result in the cancellation of the registration and/or the loss of AKC privileges.


Why are the titles for the sire and dam not indicted in the e-mail confirmation that I received?
Answer: Applicable AKC titles will be included on actual documentation for this litter and all AKC documents, however they are not displayed on this screen or in confirmation emails at this time.

Hopefully we can have them added in the near future.

The sire owner does not have e-mail access. How can I get the litter application approved?
Answer:

The sire owner needs to go to //www.apps.akc.org/classic/litters/index.cfm and click on Sire Owner to enter the Sire Owner approval section and complete the litter registration process. If this has not been completed in ten days, a letter will be mailed to the sire owner.

Otherwise, the sire owner can sign a litter application with the sire and dam numbers, and the date of birth of the litter, and mail to AKC along with a letter of explanation.  AKC will then manually approve the litter for the sire owner.

The litter application and letter can be mailed to:

American Kennel Club
8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27617-3390


Online Dog Registration

My Dog Registration application does not have a PIN number on it. Can I still register my dog online?
Answer: In order to register your dog online, you must have the PIN number.  If you do not have the pin number, you will need to mail the dog registration application provided by the litter owner to the AKC

Can I change the name of my dog?
Answer: The name of an AKC registered dog may be changed provided the dog was whelped in the United States. Further, in cases where the litter owner(s) first individually registered the dog, the litter owner(s) written consent shall be required. A dog name containing a Registered Kennel Name cannot be changed without the written consent of the owner(s) of that Registered Kennel Name. However, no change in name will be recorded by the American Kennel Club after the dog has produced or sired an AKC registered litter or has received an award at an AKC-licensed or member event. Any name change must comply with all AKC requirements.

You can download a Dog Name Change Authorization application from our Web site. The fee for changing a dog's name is $25.00.

My dog's name was spelled incorrectly. How can I get this corrected?
Answer: Please email us the dog's registration number and state what information is incorrect: the spelling of your name, the spelling of the dog's name, the color of the dog, or the sex of the dog. If the address is incorrect, please indicate the correct address. Once we have received this information, we will send you a corrected registration certificate as well as a corrected pedigree if necessary.  All corrections, unless the mistake was on the part of the AKC, will require a $20 correction fee.

The name of an AKC registered dog may be changed provided the dog was whelped in the United States. Further, in cases where the litter owner(s) first individually registered the dog, the litter owner(s) written consent shall be required. A dog name containing a Registered Kennel Name cannot be changed without the written consent of the owner(s) of that Registered Kennel Name. However, no change in name will be recorded by the American Kennel Club after the dog has produced or sired an AKC registered litter or has received an award at an AKC-licensed or member event. Any name change must comply with all AKC requirements.

You can download a Dog Name Change Authorization application from our Web site. The fee for changing a dog's name is $25.00.

I ordered a pedigree and/or a Dog Care and Training Video for my dog at the time of registration. I received the certificate but not the other products. Where is the rest of my order?
Answer:

Most pedigrees are processed and mailed with your registration certificate. Pedigrees for newly recognized breeds or dogs that have foreign dogs in their pedigree may require additional research. These pedigrees will be mailed at later date than your registration certificate. If you did not receive your pedigree, contact AKC at info@akc.org with your complete name and address and the dog’s registration number so AKC can check the status of the order.

The video is mailed separately and may take an additional week or two.


My dog is a purebred, but it didn't come with any papers. Its parents weren't registered. Can I still register it with AKC?
Answer: No, unfortunately the sire and dam of your dog must be AKC registered and the litter, of which your dog is a member, must also have been registered to obtain an individual registration application for your dog.

When you purchase a purebred dog with "AKC papers," this means that you are being given the information and paperwork necessary to register your dog with the American Kennel Club. As anyone involved in the sport of purebred dogs will tell you, registering your dog is well worth it. AKC registration opens doors of opportunity, excitement and growth for every purebred dog lover and guarantees your dog's place of honor in the rich history of its breed. Whether you are an experienced breeder, handler or first-time dog owner who wants to better understand, strengthen your bond with and experience the thrill of helping your dog reach its natural potential, you'll discover a wonderful world of opportunity offered by AKC, see more information located here: http://www.akc.org/public_education/regpromo.cfm.

It also allows you to get a pedigree of your dog, which will trace its ancestry back three or four generations.

Registration of your dog also allows you to participate in many types of AKC events, including Conformation, Junior Showmanship, Agility, Obedience and Performance events.

We encourage you to contact your breeder to determine if it is possible to receive AKC registration papers for your dog.

The registration process is described here: http://www.akc.org/reg/registeradog.cfm

Some examples of other registries that are not accepted by the AKC are:
1. America's Pet Registry (APRI)
2. Continental Kennel Club (CKC)
3. Canine Kennel Club (CKC)
4. United All Breed Registry
5. United Kennel Club (except Coonhounds)
6. North American Purebred Dog Registry

If you are interested in participating in AKC events, you may want to consider enrolling your dog in our Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege Program (PAL/ILP). The PAL/ILP program is designed to allow dogs that are ineligible for registration, but are distinguishable as a member of an AKC registrable breed, to participate in many AKC Companion and Performance Events. You can find out more about the PAL/ILP program and the requirements for enrollment at http://www.akc.org/reg/ilpex.cfm.

My dog is registered with another registry in the United States. Can I register my dog with the AKC?
Answer: A dog whelped in the United States that is individually registered with one of the Domestic Registry Organizations listed below may be eligible for registration. A three-generation certified pedigree issued by the Domestic Registry Organization must accompany the application for AKC registration.

No other registries are accepted besides those listed at: http://www.akc.org/rules/special_registry_services.cfm.

Some examples of other registries that are not accepted by the AKC are:
a. America's Pet Registry (APRI)
b. Continental Kennel Club (CKC)
c. Canine Kennel Club (CKC)
d. United All Breed Registry
e. United Kennel Club (except Coonhounds)
f. North American Purebred Dog Registry

The AKC and these registries do not follow the same standards and guidelines. Your dog or its subsequent offspring cannot be registered with the American Kennel Club.

When you purchase a purebred dog with "AKC papers," this means that you are being given the information and paperwork necessary to register your dog with the American Kennel Club. As anyone involved in the sport of purebred dogs will tell you, registering your dog is well worth it. AKC registration opens doors of opportunity, excitement and growth for every purebred dog lover and guarantees your dog's place of honor in the rich history of its breed. Whether you are an experienced breeder, handler or first-time dog owner who wants to better understand, strengthen your bond with and experience the thrill of helping your dog reach its natural potential, you'll discover a wonderful world of opportunity offered by AKC, see more information located here: http://www.akc.org/public_education/regpromo.cfm.

It also allows you to get a pedigree of your dog, which will trace its ancestry back three or four generations.

Registration of your dog also allows you to participate in many types of AKC events, including Conformation, Junior Showmanship, Agility, Obedience and Performance events.

We encourage you to contact your breeder to determine if it is possible to receive AKC registration papers for your dog.

The registration process is described here: http://www.akc.org/reg/registeradog.cfm.

If you are interested in participating in AKC events, you may want to consider enrolling your dog in our Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege Program (PAL/ILP). The PAL/ILP program is designed to allow dogs that are ineligible for registration, but are distinguishable as a member of an AKC registrable breed, to participate in many AKC Companion and Performance Events. You can find out more about the PAL/ILP program and the requirements for enrollment at http://www.akc.org/reg/ilpex.cfm.

Still can't find what you're looking for?

Online Accounts

I do not know the certificate issue date for a dog I own. How can I add the dog to my account?
Answer: If you know the certificate issue date for another dog you own, enter that dog's information instead. Based on the information you provide, AKC may be able to identify other dogs you own, including ones for which you do not know the certificate issue date.

The certificate issue date is located on the registration certificate, not on the pedigree:



If you do not know any certificate issue dates or if you enter all the ones you know and are still missing dogs, please contact customer service.

I forgot my password. How do I login?
Answer: When you login, click the "Forgot Password?" function located underneath the username and password text boxes and follow the instructions.

You can get your password here using your user name: /online_accounts/account_management/index.cfm?get_template=dsp_forgot_password

I forgot my Account Name. How do I login?
Answer:

When you login, click the "Forgot Account Name?" function located underneath the username and password text boxes and follow the instructions.

You can get your Account Name here using your email address:
/online_accounts/account_management/index.cfm?get_template=dsp_forgot_username


How can I add or update my e-mail address with the AKC?
Answer:

In order to update or add this information, please email us the following information:

- Your Name
- Online account username
- Current mailing address
- Dog's Registered Name
- Dog's Registration Number
- Dog's DOB Dog's Breed, Color, and Variety (if applicable)
- The correct e-mail address which you want recorded


I am missing dogs I own from my account.
Answer: Select the Add Dog I Own link from the Manage Dogs section of your account. Enter the requested information. The system will add the dog you entered, and it is likely that the system will use the information you provided to verify other dogs you own as well. If this is the case, the other dogs you own will also be added to your list.

If you complete the process and are still missing dogs, simply complete the process again. If you are still missing dogs, please contact customer service.

I requested a PIN to authenticate my account. I never received the PIN in my email account.
Answer: The PIN is emailed to the email address on record for you as the owner of the dog you identified. You will not receive the PIN if the email address on record for you is no longer valid.

When you requested your PIN, the system displayed the email address on record for you. If the email displayed was not valid, please contact customer service. Likewise, if the email address was valid, but you still did not receive your PIN, contact customer service.

More online accounts FAQs

Online Breeder Classifieds

How can I find a specific breed of dog for sale in the area I live?
Answer: The easiest and most convenient way to find the right dog for you is through the American Kennel Club's Web Site. www.akc.org offers potential puppy buyers access to a wealth of information on buying a dog, selecting a breeder, and dog care.

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase from a responsible breeder. While the AKC does not license, endorse or recommend breeders, we do provide a step by step procedure that will lead you to the breed of dog best suited for you and a breeder in your area.

1. Are You Ready For a Dog?
Remember that owning a dog is a lifelong commitment with a variety of responsibilities; if you cannot meet those responsibilities, neither you or your dog will be happy.

2. The Right Dog For You
You should do some serious and careful research to determine which breed of dog is right for you and your family.

3. Finding Your Dog
Where you go to get your dog is just as important as what kind of dog you get. A responsible breeder is the best source for a well-bred, healthy dog.

4. Parent Club Breeder Referral
Each Breed Parent Club will have a listing for a breeder referral person for their national club. That person should be able to help find a breeder in your area. Also, if the national breed club for that breed has a web site, you will find a link to that web site Many clubs also offer excellent additional breed specific information and breeder referral contacts in different states or regions that can help you.

5. AKC Online Breeder Classifieds
Try this new AKC service that helps puppy buyers locate breeders with available AKC-registrable puppies. Breeders can list AKC-registered litters on the AKC website. You can search for AKC-registrable puppies by breed and state OR by breed and zip code radius.

The AKC web site also has a section "Buying a Puppy". There are interesting articles here and information that will assist you in your search. You may also want to check the "Breeder Referral Contacts by Region". All-Breed and Local AKC Specialty Clubs also offer a breeder referral program and a contact person who resides in your state.

More online breeder classifieds FAQs

Still can't find what you're looking for?






Still can't find what you're looking for?

Click here for our contact information and hours of operation.