If for pet, not neccesary at all.... unless you think you want to know the grandparents and great grandparents... and you would like to show your dog and breed according to standard quality... if just for pet, no need lah.... but say you are unsure of the breeder, scared he cheat you by selling a mixbreed with a purebreed price, then get one with cert and make sure check with MKA to double check on the registration and microchip number.