A puppy's paperwork tells you more than its photographs do, but only if you know what to look for. The question isn't whether a seller "has documents". It's whether the documents are specific, checkable, and actually about the puppy you're buying.
This guide covers each document a puppy in India normally comes with, what a good one looks like, and the two-minute check that tells you whether it matches the puppy.
The quick list
| Document | Should you expect it? | What it proves |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccination card / health card | Yes, always | Which vaccines were given, when, and by whom |
| Deworming record | Yes, always | Dates and product used |
| Vet health / fit-for-travel certificate | Yes, if the puppy travels | A vet examined the puppy shortly before the journey |
| Breed certificate (KCI or seller's) | Depends on what you paid for | Pedigree (KCI) or the seller's written breed assurance |
| Invoice / order confirmation | Yes, always | What you bought, the price, and the terms |
| Microchip number | Only if chipped | A permanent ID linked to the animal |
1. The vaccination card
This is the document that matters most for a young puppy's health. A good card shows:
- The puppy's name or description, breed, sex and date of birth
- The date of each vaccination
- The vaccine label stuck onto the card, which in India usually shows the brand, batch number and expiry
- The vet's signature, clinic stamp, and ideally a registration number
- The date the next dose is due
The check: count forward from the date of birth. First puppy vaccines are typically given at around six to eight weeks, with boosters every three to four weeks after that. A first vaccine dated when the puppy would have been ten days old, or before it was born, means the card is wrong. Either it belongs to another puppy or it was filled in carelessly.
For a full age-wise schedule, see our dog vaccination schedule. Every puppy dispatched by Nearby Pets India has its first vaccination done and recorded on its health card before it travels.
2. The deworming record
Deworming is cheap, frequent and easy to record, which makes it a good honesty test. Puppies are usually dewormed every two weeks in the early months. You should see dates and a product name. If there's no deworming record at all, ask why. Then take the puppy to your vet early, because worms are a common cause of stomach upsets and poor growth in new puppies.
3. The vet health or fit-for-travel certificate
When a puppy is going to travel, a vet should examine it close to the travel date and confirm it is fit to make the journey. Look for the vet's name, clinic, registration number, date and signature. The date matters: a certificate from three weeks ago says little about the puppy today. At Nearby Pets India no puppy is dispatched without a veterinary Fit-for-Travel clearance.
4. The breed certificate: KCI or company certificate
This is where most confusion comes in, so be precise about what you're being offered.
- A KCI certificate comes from the Kennel Club of India and records a registered pedigree. Both parents must be registered for a litter to be registered. Ask for the parents' registration numbers so you can confirm them with the club.
- A company or seller certificate is the seller's own written assurance of breed. It isn't a kennel-club pedigree, but it's a written commitment you can hold the seller to.
Neither document is a health certificate. A KCI puppy can be unwell, and a non-KCI puppy can be completely purebred and healthy. Our KCI vs non-KCI guide covers who actually needs KCI papers. On Nearby Pets India every dog comes with a Company Purebred Certificate as standard, and most breeds also have a KCI option.
5. The invoice or order confirmation
This is the easiest document to overlook and the one you need first if anything goes wrong. It should name the breed, sex and any options you paid for, and show the full price including transport and taxes. It should also point to the terms: cancellation, refunds and the health guarantee. A chat message saying "payment received" isn't an invoice.
6. Microchip details
Many puppies in India aren't microchipped, and a missing chip isn't a red flag on its own. If the seller says the puppy is chipped, ask for the number, and have your vet scan it at the first visit to confirm it matches.
The one rule that ties it all together
The documents must agree with each other and with the puppy. The same date of birth on every paper. The same sex and colour as the puppy in front of you. Vaccine dates that fit the age. One mismatch can be an honest slip, so ask about it. Several mismatches mean the paperwork isn't about this puppy.
Keep photos of every document on your phone and the originals in a folder. Your vet will want the vaccination card at the first visit, and you'll need the invoice and vet records if you ever make a health claim. The first-7-days guide explains what to do with them after delivery, and the puppy buyer's checklist has the full pre-purchase list.
Frequently asked questions
What documents should I get when buying a puppy in India?
At minimum a vaccination card, a deworming record, a recent vet health or fit-for-travel certificate if the puppy is travelling, a breed certificate matching what you paid for, and an invoice showing the full price and terms.
How can I tell if a puppy vaccination card is genuine?
Check that it carries the vaccine sticker with a batch number, the vet's stamp and signature, and dates that fit the puppy's date of birth. The same card appearing for several puppies is a warning sign.
Is a KCI certificate the same as a health certificate?
No. A KCI certificate records pedigree only. Health is shown by the vaccination card, deworming record and a vet's examination.
Is it a problem if my puppy is not microchipped?
Not by itself. Many puppies in India are not chipped. If a seller says the puppy is chipped, ask for the number and have your vet scan it.
What vaccination should a puppy have before it travels?
A puppy old enough to travel should normally have had its first combination vaccine, recorded on its card with the vaccine sticker. Later boosters and rabies are given on schedule after it arrives.
