Printing/Mailing Fee Information

Printing/Mailing Fee Information

A new regulation finalized on 11/13/24 enables License Issuing Agents (LIAs) and DEC’s sporting license system vendor to levy a fee when they print and/or mail items sold through DEC’s Automated Licensing System (DECALS).

DEC is transitioning from special license stock (Valeron) to printing all sporting licenses, carcass tags and other items sold through DECALS on plain paper. With this change, LIAs now supply their own paper, printers, and ink. The new $1 printing fee enables LIAs to cover their material costs. Additionally, DEC’s license fulfillment vendor may levy a $2 fee when the customer requests the license be printed and mailed to them. All customers who purchase online, by phone, or at an LIA can avoid the transaction fee by choosing to receive their licenses and tags by email for free printing at home.

Beginning with the 2024/2025 license year, all New York sporting licenses, tags, and other printable items were formatted to fit on 8.5 x 11 plain paper. When purchasing online you will have the option to print your license and tags at home or to pay a $2 fee to have your licenses and tag mailed to you. If you choose to print your transaction at home, once your transaction is complete, you will be able to download and print the items you purchased as well as receiving them in an email. DO NOT PRINT LICENSES AND TAGS DOUBLESIDED. If you choose to have your transaction mailed, you will need to allow up to 14 business days for it to arrive. If you need to have a mailed transaction replaced before 14 business day, replacement fees would apply unless you choose to print your items from your online account (see below).

Print license and tags from online account: Additional copies of your license can be obtained by navigating to your "My Account" page and visiting the "Active Licenses, Permits & Privileges" section. Select "Print Active Licenses" from that page to download a new copy of your licenses. 
 
In the field, hunters and trappers may carry a plain paper copy of their license, or an electronic copy of their license in the free HuntFishNY mobile app. Either form is sufficient for proof of licensure. Currently, the only option for carcass tags is plain paper. Anglers may provide proof of licensure electronically through the HuntFishNY app, with a printed copy on plain paper, or simply by providing an office their 12-digit DEC ID number.