AKC litter registration, step by step
Registering a litter is quick when both owners have their paperwork in order, and slow when they do not. Most delays trace back to the stud. This VerifiedStuds guide walks through the process, the fees and the DNA rules that catch breeders out.
The AKC registers a litter when these points are all true:
Both parents are AKC registered and are the same breed.
Both parents have full registration, not limited. Read full vs limited AKC registration.
The birth took place in the United States.
The dam was 8 months to 12 years old at mating, and the sire 7 months to 12 years. Outside those ages, the AKC asks for extra evidence.
The sire meets the DNA rules described below.
The person who owned the dam on the day of whelping is the litter owner, and that person applies.
Step
Who does it
1. Record the mating dates and both dogs' AKC numbers
Dam owner and sire owner
2. Start the application online or on paper
Litter owner
3. Confirm the sire and sign
Sire owner
4. Enter the birth date and the number of males and females
Litter owner
5. Pay the fee
Litter owner
6. Receive the litter kit with a form for each puppy
Litter owner
Most breeders register online, because it is faster. The sire's owner gets a request to approve the application. Once both sides have signed, the AKC issues a litter number and the individual puppy applications.
The AKC charges a processing fee of $25 plus $2 for each live puppy. So a litter of six costs $37. However, a late fee of $65 applies when a litter is registered more than six months after whelping. Fees change from time to time, so check the AKC site before you pay.
Each new owner then registers the puppy separately, or the breeder does it in advance. That individual registration has its own fee.
The AKC uses DNA to confirm parentage, and the AKC holds some litters until the sire's profile is on file. A sire needs an AKC DNA profile if:
He is a frequently used sire. That means seven or more litters in his lifetime, or more than three in a calendar year.
A vet collected his semen for fresh-extended or frozen use. This applies to semen collected after October 1, 1998.
He came from abroad as breeding stock.
The litter has more than one sire. Then every sire, the dam and all the puppies need profiles.
Therefore, ask the stud owner about his dog's DNA profile before the breeding, not afterwards. See AKC DNA profile for stud dogs.
AI litters follow the same steps, with extra paperwork in some cases. For chilled or frozen semen, the AKC needs the DNA profile mentioned above, and frozen semen litters need records from the collection and the insemination. Our dog artificial insemination guide explains the methods.
Check both certificates first. Make sure neither dog is on limited registration and that the owners' names are current.
Put the signature in the contract. The sire's owner should agree in writing to approve the litter once you pay the fee. See our stud dog contract guide.
Keep dates and records. Note every mating or insemination date, and keep shipping documents.
Register on time. After six months, the late fee applies.
Decide on limited or full papers for each puppy before the buyers arrive.
Choosing a sire with clean paperwork saves weeks. On VerifiedStuds, owners are identity verified, and you can ask about registration and DNA before you book. Find a health-tested stud, and compare prices in the stud fee guide. Stud owners can list their stud free.
How much does AKC litter registration cost?
$25 plus $2 per live puppy when registered on time. A $65 late fee applies after six months.
Who registers the litter, the dam owner or the stud owner?
The owner of the dam applies as the litter owner. However, the sire's owner must also sign or approve the application.
Can I register a litter if the sire has limited registration?
No. Both parents need full registration for the litter to be eligible.
Does the sire need a DNA test for AKC litter registration?
Only in some cases: frequently used sires, fresh-extended or frozen semen, imported dogs and multiple-sired litters.
How long do I have to register a litter?
There is no short deadline. However, after six months from whelping the AKC adds a late fee.
Sources: American Kennel Club, litter registration, American Kennel Club, registration eligibility, American Kennel Club, Frequently Used Sires requirement. Fees and rules can change, so confirm them with the AKC.
Compare health-tested studs by breed, with fees and results on every profile.