From what I gathered on AKCs website (had very limited time on it @ work) I think it costs $20 for registration.....If its that cheap, I don't mind doing it because its sort of a neat, personal novelty I'd like just to 'have'. If its more than that I don't have a need for them. And as far as I know dogs can do obedience competition/agility without papers, I see mutts competing all the time...im not sure on the rules though so I might be wrong...