Plan the licence, microchip, and rabies vaccination before bringing a dog into daily life, and do not rely only on a renewal reminder. AFCD allows licensing from three months and says the first licence must be obtained by five months. A licence lasts three years, with rabies revaccination for renewal. Check the dog's age, chip record, and existing licence; a private handover or adoption does not automatically update the registered keeper.
What to have ready
Before you start
Licensing is available through AFCD centres, inoculation centres, authorised veterinary clinics, and SPCA centres, with charges and arrangements checked for the selected channel. AFCD lists the dog, your HKID, fee, and old licence for renewal. An online submission still requires the dog to attend the selected centre as instructed. Keep the application reference and distinguish preparation, attendance, and actual issue of the licence.
What to do, step by step
- Identify first issue, renewal, or keeper change. Ask AFCD about uncertain records and have a found dog's status checked rather than immediately registering it as yours.
- Confirm documents, opening arrangements, and weather notices for the selected location, and plan suitable handling or transport for the dog.
- Complete the required vaccination, chip, or renewal steps, check dog and keeper details, and preserve the licence and veterinary record.
- Set a reminder before expiry, use the formal process after an address or keeper change, and check the information displayed on an electronic licence.
Costs, timing, and things to check
Consult a registered vet and AFCD about vaccination if the dog is ill, taking medicine, or pregnant; arrange the licensing question before expiry.
A licence is not directly transferable. AFCD requires written notification within five days of a keeper or address change; procedures differ for a valid and expired licence.
A practical example
For an adopted adult dog with a chip, obtain the licence, vaccination, and chip records, check expiry, and arrange the documented keeper update with the organisation or previous keeper. If expired, ask the centre about keeper change and revaccination together. Add your own renewal reminder instead of relying on a message addressed to the previous household.
Check the licence, vaccination, and registration together, and complete attendance after an online application.
Official information and enquiries
These are the reference and service entry points for this guide. Check current fees, eligibility, and schedules with the authority. The preparation date is not each source's official update date.