How to Update Your Dog's Microchip Details in the UK
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To update your dog's microchip details in the UK, contact the database company your dog's microchip is registered with and change your details through them; a fee may apply. If you do not know which database that is, enter the microchip number on the Check-a-Chip website, or ask a vet, dog warden or rescue centre to scan your dog. Keepers are legally responsible for keeping these details up to date.
A microchip is only as useful as the information linked to it. If you have moved house, changed your phone number or taken on a dog from someone else, an out-of-date record can stop a lost dog getting home. Here is how to put it right, based on the government's guidance. For more on collars, tags and identification, see our complete collar and ID guide.
What the law requires
According to gov.uk:
- Dogs must be microchipped and registered on an approved database by the time they are eight weeks old.
- The microchip must be fitted by a trained professional, such as a vet. Local councils and rescue centres may also offer microchipping, and a fee may apply.
- You are responsible for keeping your dog's microchip details up to date.
- You can be fined up to £500 if your dog is not microchipped when required, or not registered on an approved database.
Microchipping is separate from the collar rule. In public places your dog must also wear a collar with your name and address on it or on an attached tag. Our guide to dog ID tag law in the UK explains both.
Step 1: Find your dog's microchip number
The microchip number is a long number unique to your dog. You may find it on:
- your dog's microchip certificate or registration paperwork;
- vet records or vaccination cards;
- a pet passport or animal health paperwork;
- insurance documents.
If you cannot find it anywhere, ask a vet, dog warden or rescue centre to scan your dog. Scanning is quick and painless.
Step 2: Find out which database your dog is registered with
There are several approved microchip databases in England, and your dog will be registered with one of them. Gov.uk advises entering the microchip number on the Check-a-Chip website (check-a-chip.co.uk) to find out which one. The list of approved databases is published on gov.uk and is updated from time to time, so check it there rather than relying on an old list.
A word of caution from the government's guidance: be wary of emails from databases that are not on the approved list asking for payment to register your pet. If you suspect a scam, you can report it to the National Cyber Security Centre.
Step 3: Update your details with that database
Contact the database company directly, through its website or by phone, and update your record. Gov.uk notes that a fee may apply. Check that all of these are correct:
- your full name;
- your current address and postcode;
- your phone numbers, including a mobile;
- your email address;
- your dog's name and description.
Once you have updated it, keep the confirmation with your dog's paperwork.
When to update your microchip details
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You move house | Update your address with the database |
| You change phone number or email | Update your contact details |
| You take on a dog from a breeder, rescue or previous owner | Make sure the record is updated to your name and address |
| Your dog goes missing | Report it lost to the database and check your details |
| Your dog is found | Tell the database so the record is updated |
Taking on a dog from someone else
When you get a dog, gov.uk advises asking for proof that a microchip has been fitted, such as a microchip certificate, vet records or a pet passport, and making sure the microchip details are updated to your name and address. The exact process for transferring the record differs between databases, so contact the database for its steps. It is worth doing this straight away rather than leaving it for later.
Update the collar too
Whenever you update your microchip, check your dog's collar ID matches. A tag can be read by anyone who finds your dog, without a scanner, so it often gets a dog home faster. Our Mayfair Collar and Kensington Collar are engraved with your dog's name and your number; as our engraving does not include an address, add a separate tag with your name and address for public places.
If your dog does go missing, our guide on what to do if your dog is lost sets out the first 24 hours, and our guide on when to replace a dog collar covers keeping ID readable.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out which database my dog's microchip is on?
Enter the microchip number on the Check-a-Chip website. If you do not have the number, ask a vet, dog warden or rescue centre to scan your dog.
Do I have to pay to update my dog's microchip details?
Gov.uk says a fee may apply. It depends on the database your dog is registered with.
Is it a legal requirement to keep microchip details up to date?
Yes. Keepers are responsible for keeping their dog's microchip details up to date, and dogs must be microchipped and registered on an approved database by eight weeks old.
What should I do when I move house?
Contact your microchip database to update your address, and update your dog's collar tag at the same time.