Overview
"Pet cemetery" means any land, place, structure, facility or building provided by any person for a fee, whether or not for profit, to veterinarians or members of the general public for use, or reservation for use, for the permanent interment or inurnment above or below ground of pet remains.
"Pet crematorium" means any land, place, structure, facility or building provided by any person for a fee, whether or not for profit, to veterinarians or members of the general public for the cremation of pets.
It is the responsibility of licensees to understand the Pet Cemetery and Pet Crematorium License Law.
Term of licensure is two years
Requirements
- Submit a completed application and the required fee to the Department of State.
- Any pet cemetery which buries five or more animals per year:
- should consist of at least 5 acres of real property in total area (this requirement is waived for pet cemeteries or pet crematoriums in existence prior to January 14, 1993).
- must establish a trust fund for the permanent operation and maintenance of the cemetery in the amount of $12,000 before the acceptance of any monies as annual maintenance fees.
- must file a dedication restricting the real property be used only for the operation of a pet cemetery. A certified copy of that dedication must be filed with your application. Filing must include a copy of a survey map and zoning approvals.
Fees
There are fees associated with a Pet Cemetery and Pet Crematorium license. You may pay these fees by check or money order made payable to the Department of State or by MasterCard or Visa using a credit card authorization form. DO NOT SEND CASH. Application fees are nonrefundable. A $20 fee will be charged for any check returned by your bank.
- $150 - Initial Application
- $150 - Renewal
- $60 - Late Renewal Penalty
- $25 - Duplicate License/Registration Request
- $10 - Change of Personal Name and/or Address (No fee is required if a name change is the result of a change in marital status)
Renew or Update
Renew Your License
You are eligible to renew your license 90 days prior to your license expiration date. Your license expiration date is printed on the license.
Renewal forms are mailed approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration date. Complete and submit the renewal form to the address on the form.
If you are eligible to renew your license and you have not received a renewal form, email the Division of Licensing Services and request a form. Your email must include your full name, mailing address, license type, unique identification number and expiration date of your license.
Update Your License
To update your personal name, business or residence address download, complete and submit the Change Notice to the address on the form.
To request a duplicate license certificate, complete and submit the Duplicate License/Registration Request to the address on the form.
Change Notice
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Change Notices
Required when changing a name or address
Translations: (Spanish/Español) (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen) (Italian/Italiano) (Korean/한국어) (Russian/Pусский) (Chinese/中文) (Bengali/বাংলা) (Arabic/العَرَبِي) (French/Française) (Polish/Polski) (Urdu/اردو) (Yiddish/אידיש)
Download
Duplicate License/Registration Request
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Duplicate License/Registration Request (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen)
Tradiksyon kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole)Download
Apply
To apply for a Pet Cemetery or Pet Crematorium license, submit a completed application to the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.
Additional Forms/Information:
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Credit Card Authorization (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen)
Tradiksyon kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole)Download
FAQs
Who should apply for a pet cemetery or pet crematorium license?
Anyone who wishes to operate a pet cemetery or pet crematorium.
What other laws may apply to pet cemeteries and pet crematoriums?
The Environmental Conservation Law - Article 27 - Section 27-0701 - Title 7 - Solid Waste Management & Resource Recovery Fund. You may wish to consult with the Department of Environmental Conservation for additional information.
Contact Contact the Division of Licensing Services
Have a question regarding your license? First, see if your questions are answered in the FAQs above. Otherwise, the quickest way to get in touch with us is through email: Contact us here!
Mailing Information:
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
PO Box 22001
Albany NY 12201-2001
Please note: If you utilize express services or next day ground services such as UPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc. you should use the physical address of the building.
Albany Physical Address
Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Phone Information:
General Information (518) 474-4429
Security Guard and Armored Car Guard Information (518) 474-7569
Call Center Representatives are available from 8:45am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday except on Legal Holidays.
Deaf, hard of hearing and speech-disabled callers, please use 7-1-1
For all other inquiries, email Licensing Services
Visitor & Customer Service Center Information:
Below is a listing of Licensing Customer Service Centers and the hours of operation. Please monitor this page for updates to office hours, guidelines and or any closures.
Albany: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Apostille Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:15pm
Albany Parking
Limited on street metered parking is available for 1 Commerce Plaza in Albany. The Office of General Services has various parking lots throughout downtown Albany which have limited visitor parking. To find out more information about the OGS lots, please visit their website.
New York City: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
123 William St. 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10038-3804
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Apostille Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm
Binghamton: Effective July 7, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
44 Hawley Street, Room 1506
Binghamton, NY 13901-4455
(518) 474-4429
Buffalo: Effective November 10, 2022, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
295 Main Street, 8th Floor, Suite 821
Buffalo, NY 14203
(518) 474-4429
Hauppauge: Effective June 21, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
250 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788-5519
(518) 474-4429
Utica: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
207 Genesee Street Utica, NY 13501-2812
Customer Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am-12:00pm & 12:45pm-4:00pm