Maine Dog License Requirements: State and Local Rules

Maine is one of the states that requires dog licensing by state law, so the basic rule is the same everywhere in the state even though the paperwork is handled locally.

Maine dog license at a glance

Question	Answer
Statewide requirement?	Yes
Age	6 months and older
Deadline	January 1; late fee after January 31
Fee	$6 spayed/neutered, $11 intact
Late fee	$25 (dangerous dog $150, nuisance $70)

What Maine law says

7 M.R.S. 3921: a dog may not be kept in Maine unless licensed.
Dogs that turn 6 months or change owners between January 1 and October 15 must be licensed within 10 days (3922(2)).
Clerks may not issue a license without proof of rabies vaccination (3922(3)).
Court-determined dangerous dogs pay $100 and nuisance dogs $30 (3923-A).
The tag must be worn on a collar, except on the owner's premises or while hunting, training or showing (3923-B).

How to license a dog in Maine

Have your dog vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian and keep the rabies certificate.
If your dog is spayed or neutered, keep the veterinarian's proof; altered dogs usually pay a lower fee.
Apply through the office named above. Many towns and counties also accept online or mail applications.
Attach the tag to your dog's collar and renew before the deadline to avoid late fees.

Licenses, rabies shots and microchips

Dog licenses and rabies vaccination usually go together: the license office or the veterinarian checks the rabies certificate before a tag is issued. See Maine rabies vaccination laws for the required age and booster rules. A license tag helps animal control return a lost dog quickly, and a microchip is a permanent backup if the collar comes off.

What happens if your dog is not licensed?

An unlicensed dog found at large can be picked up by animal control, and getting it back usually means paying impound fees and buying the license. Penalties are listed above where the state statute sets them; local ordinances often add their own fines. Leash and at-large rules are covered in Maine leash laws.

Sources

This page summarizes state statutes for general information and is not legal advice. Laws change and cities and counties often add their own rules; check the current statute and your local ordinance, or ask a licensed attorney about your situation.

Maine Dog License Requirements