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Dog Name Change Authorization

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Dog Name Change Authorization

Submit this form to request a change to the name of an AKC-registered dog that was whelped in the USA. Please read the detailed instructions and requirements on Page 2 of this form before proceeding. Name change is not guaranteed. Processing fees are nonrefundable, and all fees are subject to change without notice.

Processing Fee

$

Total Fee

$
Payment Information

Charge my:

Account Number (do not include dashes)

Expiration Date

Printed Name of Cardholder

Permission to Use an AKC Registered Kennel Name: required if part of this dog's current or new name

Registered Kennel Name

Kennel Name Owner's Signature

Customer Number

Dog Information

AKC Registration Number

Breed

Current AKC Registered Name

New Name Requested

Owner(s) Information

Owner's First Name

Owner's Last Name

Mailing Address

City

State

ZIP code + 4

Telephone Number

Email Address

Co-Owner's First Name

Co-Owner's Last Name

Mailing Address

City

State

ZIP code + 4

I (we) certify that the dog named above, for which I (we) now apply to change the name subject to AKC requirements, has not produced or sired an AKC-registered litter or received an award at an AKC-licensed or member event. I (we) understand that the consent of the litter owner(s) is required only if the litter owner(s) is the first AKC-registered owner(s) of this dog. I (we) agree that any cause of action, controversy or claim arising out of or related to this registration or as to the construction, interpretation and effect of THIS AGREEMENT shall be settled by arbitration pursuant to the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association. However, prior to arbitration all applicable AKC Bylaws, rules, REGULATIONS and procedures must first be followed as set forth in the AKC Charter and Bylaws, rules, REGULATIONS, published policies and guidelines.

Owner's Signature

Co-Owner's Signature

Consent of Litter Owner(s): required only if the litter owner(s) is the first AKC registered owner(s) of this dog

Litter Owner's First Name

Litter Owner's Last Name

Litter Co-Owner's First Name

Litter Co-Owner's Last Name

I (we) certify that I (we) am (are) consenting to the name change requested by the current owner on the dog named above. This dog has not produced or sired an AKC-registered litter or received an award at an AKC licensed or member event. I (we) agree that any cause of action, controversy or claim arising out of or related to this registration or as to the construction, interpretation and effect of THIS AGREEMENT shall be settled by arbitration pursuant to the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association. However, prior to arbitration all applicable AKC Bylaws, rules, REGULATIONS and procedures must first be followed as set forth in the AKC Charter and Bylaws, rules, REGULATIONS, published policies and guidelines.

Litter Owner's Signature

Litter Co-Owner's Signature

Check or money order made payable to: The American Kennel Club

Provide your email address to receive important AKC communications.

Requirements, Instructions, and General Information

Processing fees are nonrefundable, and all fees are subject to change without notice.

The processing fee for a one-time change of a dog name is $25.

Additional fees are determined by circumstance:

Silver Package ($19.00) Includes a Three Generation AKC Certified Pedigree that traces three generations of your dog’s ancestry.

Note: If paying by check or money order, make payable to: The American Kennel Club.

Requirements

This application must be completed to effect a change to an AKC-registered dog’s name. The name of 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. AKC requirements, rules and regulations may be viewed on our Web site at www.akc.org. All owners of the dog must sign this application. Please return the Registration Certificate with this application. Once submitted, this application becomes the property of the American Kennel Club.

Mailing Information

Send this application, along with the Registration Certificate and appropriate fees, to:

The American Kennel Club
P.O. Box 900057
Raleigh, NC 27675-9057

Additional Requirements

If there are more than two (2) owners or more than two (2) litter owners, contact the AKC for an Additional Signature Form. This form can be downloaded from our Web site at www.akc.org.

Authorizations

Signatures of persons other than the owners will be accepted only if a properly completed authorization form has been filed with the AKC.

Assistance

Email AKC at info@akc.org or call 919-233-9767 to speak to an AKC Customer Service Representative, Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Information about the registration process and downloadable forms are available on our Web site: www.akc.org.

Notice

The American Kennel Club reserves the right to correct or cancel for cause the registration of this dog and its descendants. Any misrepresentation on this application is one example of for cause cancellation and may result in loss of AKC privileges. By supplying your email address and/or telephone number, you consent to receive communications from AKC and third parties. Processing fees are nonrefundable, and all fees are subject to change without notice.

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What the Dog Name Change Authorization Is and Who It Covers

A Dog Name Change Authorization is a written record that gives a person or organization permission to change the registered name of a dog with registries, veterinary records, municipal licensing, or microchip databases. The document identifies the current registered name, the requested new name, the dog owner or legal custodian, and the third party authorized to make the change. It establishes consent, documents intent, and provides contact and identity data needed by service providers to update records while reducing disputes over ownership or identity.

Why a Formal Authorization Matters

A clear Dog Name Change Authorization creates a verifiable chain of consent for registries, vets, and local licensing authorities. It reduces administrative delays, lowers the chance of mismatched records, and documents who has authority to request updates under applicable e-signature laws such as the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes.

Why a Formal Authorization Matters

Typical Users and Situations for This Authorization

The authorization helps any third party acting on the owner's behalf and clarifies responsibilities when multiple parties have access to a dog's records.

  • Pet owners changing a registered name after adoption or preference updates.
  • Breeders or rescue organizations authorizing re-registration or rehoming updates.
  • Veterinary clinics or animal control agencies updating microchip or license records.

Who Can Sign and Typical Roles

Owner / Legal Custodian

The registered owner or custodian signs to grant permission. If ownership is shared, all listed owners should sign unless the registry accepts a single-authority declaration.

Authorized Agent

A person or organization (rescue, breeder, vet) named by the owner can sign to effect the change; include written proof of agency or power to avoid processing delays.

Essential Data Elements to Include

Owner Name: Full legal name
Owner Address: Street, city, state, ZIP
Current Name: Exact registered name
New Name: Exact requested name
Microchip ID: Numeric identifier
Signature Date: MM/DD/YYYY format

Step-by-Step: Completing a Dog Name Change Authorization

Follow these steps to prepare and submit the authorization so third parties can update records securely and without delays.

  • 01
    Gather IDs: Collect owner ID and microchip documentation
  • 02
    Fill Fields: Complete owner, dog, and agent details
  • 03
    Sign & Date: Owner (and co-owners) sign with date
  • 04
    Send to Recipient: Provide to registry, vet, or licensing office

How the Update Process Typically Flows

A typical update moves from authorization through verification to final record change; understanding each element speeds completion.

  • Send Authorization: Owner or agent forwards the signed form
  • Verify Identity: Recipient confirms owner identity and microchip
  • Apply Update: Registry or database applies the name change
  • Confirm Completion: Recipient returns confirmation to owner

Configuring an Online Submission Workflow

If you submit electronically, set up fields and authentication to match recipient verification requirements.

Field Configuration
Owner ID Upload Require PDF/JPEG upload
Microchip Field Numeric-only validation
Agent Email Required contact for follow-up
Signature Type Audit-trail eSign with timestamp

Delivery Options and Platform Considerations

Ensure the chosen platform supports required authentication and produces a reproducible record for retention and audit purposes.

  • Email with Attachment: Simple, but may require notarized signature
  • Secure eSubmission: Electronic form with audit trail
  • In-Person / Notary: Required by some registries or local authorities

Consequences and Risks of an Incorrect Authorization

Identity Mismatch: Processing delays or rejection
Unauthorized Change: Liability for misrepresentation
License Issues: Local licensing fines or invalidation
Microchip Errors: Failed reunification or misidentification
Record Conflict: Conflicting registry entries
Privacy Exposure: Sharing unnecessary personal data

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Leaving microchip number incomplete or mistyped, which prevents verification
  • Using an informal or unsigned authorization that recipients reject
  • Failing to include co-owner signatures when required
  • Not checking recipient rules on special characters or name length limits

Practical Tips for Quick and Accurate Processing

Adopt these practices to reduce back-and-forth and accelerate processing by registries and service providers.

Verify Registry Rules
Confirm acceptable signature types, restrictions on characters, and whether notarization is required before submitting the authorization to the agency.
Use Clear Identifiers
Provide full microchip ID, license number, and date of birth for the dog if requested to ensure accurate matching in databases.
Provide Contact Details
Include owner and agent phone numbers and email addresses so the recipient can confirm details quickly and reduce processing delays.
Keep Secure Copies
Store signed copies with the dog’s records and retain electronic versions with audit trails for at least three to seven years.

Key Sections Every Professional Authorization Should Include

A well-structured Dog Name Change Authorization balances brevity with the data required by registries, veterinarians, and municipal offices.

Identification

Owner details, address, and contact information for verification and follow-up.

Dog Details

Current name, breed, color, microchip number, and license or tag number.

New Name Request

Exact new name spelled as it should appear in records.

Scope of Authorization

Which records may be changed and which third parties are authorized to act.

Signature Block

Owner signature, printed name, date, and witness/notary area if required.

Supporting Docs

List of required attachments such as ownership proof and microchip registry printout.

Illustrative Use Cases

Real-world examples show typical scenarios where a Dog Name Change Authorization is used.

Private Adoption Transfer

A rescue transfers a dog to a new family and authorizes the kennel club to change the registered name

  • Rescue names authorized agent and provides adoption record
  • The authorization, adoption agreement, and microchip report are submitted together to update registry entries and veterinary records for continuity.

Owner Preference Update

An owner wants a nickname to be the primary registered name

  • Owner provides signed authorization and ID
  • The registry updates the displayed name after verifying microchip and owner identity, then confirms the change to the owner and the veterinarian on file.

eSignature Solution Pricing and Capabilities

Common vendor pricing and capability differences for e-signing and submitting a Dog Name Change Authorization; signNow is listed first per comparison conventions.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

FAQs and Troubleshooting for Dog Name Change Authorizations

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, and submitting the authorization, plus remedies for common problems.


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