Dog licence in Mumbai
Updated By PetymFacts checked against official sources on
Quick answer
Yes, it is mandatory. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) says keeping a dog without a licence is illegal, under sections 191A and 191B of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888.
You apply online only, on the BMC portal, with address proof and your dog's rabies and leptospirosis vaccination certificates. The licence runs to 31 March each year.
Mumbai: pet licence at a glance
| What | The rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Civic body | Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC, also MCGM). | BMC Veterinary Health Department |
| The rule | Section 191A (dog tax) and section 191B (licence) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. BMC: "Keeping dogs without license is illegal." | BMC Veterinary Health Department |
| Where to apply | Online only, on portal.mcgm.gov.in. BMC does not take applications at ward offices. | Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation |
| Documents | Address proof such as Aadhaar, plus rabies and leptospirosis vaccination certificates signed and stamped by a registered vet, uploaded as PDF or JPG under 2 MB. | Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation |
| Validity | One financial year, ending 31 March. | Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation |
| Fee | Shown on the portal when you apply. BMC's own manual only shows screenshots from 2020, so Petym does not quote a current figure. | Not stated |
How to apply for a BMC dog licence
Open the BMC portal
Go to portal.mcgm.gov.in and choose For Citizens, then Apply, then License, Dog.
Enter owner and dog details
Fill in your details and your dog's, as the form asks.
Upload the documents
Upload address proof and the rabies and leptospirosis vaccination certificates from a registered vet, each as a PDF or JPG under 2 MB.
Pay and download
Pay the fee shown online and keep the receipt and licence.
Renew before 31 March
The licence ends with the financial year, so renew it on the portal each year before 31 March.
Two vaccination certificates, not one
When will Petym open pet sitting in Mumbai?
Once local sitters in Mumbai have passed Petym's checks. Leave your email and we will write once, when bookings open there.
Questions owners ask
Can I apply for a dog licence at my BMC ward office in Mumbai?
- No. BMC takes dog licence applications online only, on portal.mcgm.gov.in, and its own FAQ says ward offices do not accept them.
Which vaccination certificates does BMC want for a Mumbai dog licence?
- Rabies and leptospirosis, each signed and stamped by a registered vet, along with address proof such as Aadhaar.
When does a BMC dog licence expire?
- On 31 March, at the end of the financial year. Renew it on the BMC portal each year before then.
What is the BMC dog licence fee in 2026?
- The portal shows the fee when you apply. BMC's published manual only has screenshots from 2020, so Petym does not quote a current figure until BMC publishes one.
Keep reading
- A pet owner's guide to MumbaiVets, climate care and travel from Mumbai.
- 24-hour vets in MumbaiEmergency care, checked against each clinic's own site.
- Moving to another city with a petWhat happens to a licence when you move.
- Pet licence rules in ThaneWhat Thane's corporation asks of dog owners.
- Pet licence rules in Navi MumbaiWhat Navi Mumbai's corporation asks of dog owners.
Keep exploring
More for Mumbai
Sources
Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Petym checks its sources