diff --git a/proto/ibc/core/client/v1/genesis.proto b/proto/ibc/core/client/v1/genesis.proto
index b1c4247c94a..06b4bbd0648 100644
--- a/proto/ibc/core/client/v1/genesis.proto
+++ b/proto/ibc/core/client/v1/genesis.proto
@@ -20,4 +20,6 @@ message GenesisState {
   Params params = 3 [(gogoproto.nullable) = false];
   // create localhost on initialization
   bool create_localhost = 4 [(gogoproto.moretags) = "yaml:\"create_localhost\""];
+  // the sequence for the next generated client identifier
+  uint64 next_client_sequence = 5 [(gogoproto.moretags) = "yaml:\"next_client_sequence\""];
 }
diff --git a/proto/ibc/core/client/v1/tx.proto b/proto/ibc/core/client/v1/tx.proto
index 1019e15a034..a30ec8bbf10 100644
--- a/proto/ibc/core/client/v1/tx.proto
+++ b/proto/ibc/core/client/v1/tx.proto
@@ -27,15 +27,13 @@ message MsgCreateClient {
   option (gogoproto.equal)           = false;
   option (gogoproto.goproto_getters) = false;
 
-  // client unique identifier
-  string client_id = 1 [(gogoproto.moretags) = "yaml:\"client_id\""];
   // light client state
-  google.protobuf.Any client_state = 2 [(gogoproto.moretags) = "yaml:\"client_state\""];
+  google.protobuf.Any client_state = 1 [(gogoproto.moretags) = "yaml:\"client_state\""];
   // consensus state associated with the client that corresponds to a given
   // height.
-  google.protobuf.Any consensus_state = 3 [(gogoproto.moretags) = "yaml:\"consensus_state\""];
+  google.protobuf.Any consensus_state = 2 [(gogoproto.moretags) = "yaml:\"consensus_state\""];
   // signer address
-  string signer = 4;
+  string signer = 3;
 }
 
 // MsgCreateClientResponse defines the Msg/CreateClient response type.
diff --git a/types/query/query.pb.go b/types/query/query.pb.go
index c04a6bde32b..266d337002e 100644
--- a/types/query/query.pb.go
+++ b/types/query/query.pb.go
@@ -783,7 +783,7 @@ type Module struct {
 	Path string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=path,proto3" json:"path,omitempty"`
 	// module version
 	Version string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=version,proto3" json:"version,omitempty"`
-	//checksum
+	// checksum
 	Sum string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=sum,proto3" json:"sum,omitempty"`
 }
 
diff --git a/x/auth/client/rest/rest_test.go b/x/auth/client/rest/rest_test.go
index 1d7cac6848b..671df87a8b9 100644
--- a/x/auth/client/rest/rest_test.go
+++ b/x/auth/client/rest/rest_test.go
@@ -453,7 +453,6 @@ func (s *IntegrationTestSuite) TestLegacyRestErrMessages() {
 			"Successful IBC message",
 			ibcsolomachinecli.NewCreateClientCmd(),
 			[]string{
-				"21212121212",        // dummy client-id
 				"1",                  // dummy sequence
 				consensusJSON.Name(), // path to consensus json,
 				fmt.Sprintf("--%s=true", flags.FlagSkipConfirmation),
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/genesis.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/genesis.go
index ef00930f0b8..6e77b20e36f 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/genesis.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/genesis.go
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/02-client/types"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/exported"
-	localhosttypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/light-clients/09-localhost/types"
 )
 
 // InitGenesis initializes the ibc client submodule's state from a provided genesis
@@ -39,29 +38,10 @@ func InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, k keeper.Keeper, gs types.GenesisState) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	if !gs.CreateLocalhost {
-		return
-	}
-
-	// NOTE: return if the localhost client was already imported. The chain-id and
-	// block height will be overwriten to the correct values during BeginBlock.
-	if _, found := k.GetClientState(ctx, exported.Localhost); found {
-		return
-	}
-
-	// client id is always "localhost"
-	revision := types.ParseChainID(ctx.ChainID())
-	clientState := localhosttypes.NewClientState(
-		ctx.ChainID(), types.NewHeight(revision, uint64(ctx.BlockHeight())),
-	)
+	k.SetNextClientSequence(ctx, gs.NextClientSequence)
 
-	if err := clientState.Validate(); err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-
-	if err := k.CreateClient(ctx, exported.Localhost, clientState, nil); err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
+	// NOTE: localhost creation is specifically disallowed for the time being.
+	// Issue: https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/issues/7871
 }
 
 // ExportGenesis returns the ibc client submodule's exported genesis.
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/client.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/client.go
index ddb742563c1..49d5a04eb36 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/client.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/client.go
@@ -15,20 +15,17 @@ import (
 //
 // CONTRACT: ClientState was constructed correctly from given initial consensusState
 func (k Keeper) CreateClient(
-	ctx sdk.Context, clientID string, clientState exported.ClientState, consensusState exported.ConsensusState,
-) error {
+	ctx sdk.Context, clientState exported.ClientState, consensusState exported.ConsensusState,
+) (string, error) {
 	params := k.GetParams(ctx)
 	if !params.IsAllowedClient(clientState.ClientType()) {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrapf(
+		return "", sdkerrors.Wrapf(
 			types.ErrInvalidClientType,
 			"client state type %s is not registered in the allowlist", clientState.ClientType(),
 		)
 	}
 
-	_, found := k.GetClientState(ctx, clientID)
-	if found {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrapf(types.ErrClientExists, "cannot create client with ID %s", clientID)
-	}
+	clientID := k.GenerateClientIdentifier(ctx, clientState.ClientType())
 
 	// check if consensus state is nil in case the created client is Localhost
 	if consensusState != nil {
@@ -46,7 +43,7 @@ func (k Keeper) CreateClient(
 		)
 	}()
 
-	return nil
+	return clientID, nil
 }
 
 // UpdateClient updates the consensus state and the state root from a provided header.
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/client_test.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/client_test.go
index 736a34d1e48..3d772761cc5 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/client_test.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/client_test.go
@@ -19,36 +19,23 @@ import (
 
 func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestCreateClient() {
 	cases := []struct {
-		msg      string
-		clientID string
-		expPass  bool
-		expPanic bool
+		msg         string
+		clientState exported.ClientState
+		expPass     bool
 	}{
-		{"success", testClientID, true, false},
-		{"client ID exists", testClientID, false, false},
+		{"success", ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false), true},
+		{"client type not supported", localhosttypes.NewClientState(testChainID, clienttypes.NewHeight(0, 1)), false},
 	}
 
 	for i, tc := range cases {
-		tc := tc
-		i := i
-		if tc.expPanic {
-			suite.Require().Panics(func() {
-				clientState := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-				suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, tc.clientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
-			}, "Msg %d didn't panic: %s", i, tc.msg)
-		} else {
-			clientState := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-			if tc.expPass {
-				suite.Require().NotNil(clientState, "valid test case %d failed: %s", i, tc.msg)
-			}
-			// If we were able to NewClientState clientstate successfully, try persisting it to state
-			err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, tc.clientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 
-			if tc.expPass {
-				suite.Require().NoError(err, "valid test case %d failed: %s", i, tc.msg)
-			} else {
-				suite.Require().Error(err, "invalid test case %d passed: %s", i, tc.msg)
-			}
+		clientID, err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, tc.clientState, suite.consensusState)
+		if tc.expPass {
+			suite.Require().NoError(err, "valid test case %d failed: %s", i, tc.msg)
+			suite.Require().NotNil(clientID, "valid test case %d failed: %s", i, tc.msg)
+		} else {
+			suite.Require().Error(err, "invalid test case %d passed: %s", i, tc.msg)
+			suite.Require().Equal("", clientID, "invalid test case %d passed: %s", i, tc.msg)
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -72,6 +59,8 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestUpdateClientTendermint() {
 	var (
 		updateHeader *ibctmtypes.Header
 		clientState  *ibctmtypes.ClientState
+		clientID     string
+		err          error
 	)
 
 	cases := []struct {
@@ -81,7 +70,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestUpdateClientTendermint() {
 	}{
 		{"valid update", func() error {
 			clientState = ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-			err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
+			clientID, err = suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 
 			// store intermediate consensus state to check that trustedHeight does not need to be highest consensus state before header height
 			incrementedClientHeight := testClientHeight.Increment()
@@ -89,17 +78,17 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestUpdateClientTendermint() {
 				Timestamp:          suite.now.Add(time.Minute),
 				NextValidatorsHash: suite.valSetHash,
 			}
-			suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, testClientID, incrementedClientHeight, intermediateConsState)
+			suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, clientID, incrementedClientHeight, intermediateConsState)
 
 			clientState.LatestHeight = incrementedClientHeight
-			suite.keeper.SetClientState(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState)
+			suite.keeper.SetClientState(suite.ctx, clientID, clientState)
 
 			updateHeader = createFutureUpdateFn(suite)
 			return err
 		}, true},
 		{"valid past update", func() error {
 			clientState = ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-			err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
+			clientID, err = suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 			suite.Require().NoError(err)
 
 			height1 := types.NewHeight(0, 1)
@@ -109,7 +98,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestUpdateClientTendermint() {
 				Timestamp:          suite.past,
 				NextValidatorsHash: suite.valSetHash,
 			}
-			suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, testClientID, height1, prevConsState)
+			suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, clientID, height1, prevConsState)
 
 			height2 := types.NewHeight(0, 2)
 
@@ -118,7 +107,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestUpdateClientTendermint() {
 				Timestamp:          suite.past.Add(time.Minute),
 				NextValidatorsHash: suite.valSetHash,
 			}
-			suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, testClientID, height2, intermediateConsState)
+			suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, clientID, height2, intermediateConsState)
 
 			// updateHeader will fill in consensus state between prevConsState and suite.consState
 			// clientState should not be updated
@@ -147,7 +136,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestUpdateClientTendermint() {
 		{"valid past update before client was frozen", func() error {
 			clientState = ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
 			clientState.FrozenHeight = types.NewHeight(0, testClientHeight.RevisionHeight-1)
-			err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
+			clientID, err = suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 			suite.Require().NoError(err)
 
 			height1 := types.NewHeight(0, 1)
@@ -157,7 +146,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestUpdateClientTendermint() {
 				Timestamp:          suite.past,
 				NextValidatorsHash: suite.valSetHash,
 			}
-			suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, testClientID, height1, prevConsState)
+			suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, clientID, height1, prevConsState)
 
 			// updateHeader will fill in consensus state between prevConsState and suite.consState
 			// clientState should not be updated
@@ -166,7 +155,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestUpdateClientTendermint() {
 		}, true},
 		{"invalid header", func() error {
 			clientState = ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-			err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
+			_, err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 			suite.Require().NoError(err)
 			updateHeader = createPastUpdateFn(suite)
 
@@ -179,13 +168,14 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestUpdateClientTendermint() {
 		i := i
 		suite.Run(fmt.Sprintf("Case %s", tc.name), func() {
 			suite.SetupTest()
+			clientID = testClientID // must be explicitly changed
 
 			err := tc.malleate()
 			suite.Require().NoError(err)
 
 			suite.ctx = suite.ctx.WithBlockTime(updateHeader.Header.Time.Add(time.Minute))
 
-			err = suite.keeper.UpdateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, updateHeader)
+			err = suite.keeper.UpdateClient(suite.ctx, clientID, updateHeader)
 
 			if tc.expPass {
 				suite.Require().NoError(err, err)
@@ -196,10 +186,10 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestUpdateClientTendermint() {
 					NextValidatorsHash: updateHeader.Header.NextValidatorsHash,
 				}
 
-				newClientState, found := suite.keeper.GetClientState(suite.ctx, testClientID)
+				newClientState, found := suite.keeper.GetClientState(suite.ctx, clientID)
 				suite.Require().True(found, "valid test case %d failed: %s", i, tc.name)
 
-				consensusState, found := suite.keeper.GetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, testClientID, updateHeader.GetHeight())
+				consensusState, found := suite.keeper.GetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, clientID, updateHeader.GetHeight())
 				suite.Require().True(found, "valid test case %d failed: %s", i, tc.name)
 
 				// Determine if clientState should be updated or not
@@ -399,6 +389,11 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestUpgradeClient() {
 }
 
 func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestCheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState() {
+	var (
+		clientID string
+		err      error
+	)
+
 	altPrivVal := ibctestingmock.NewPV()
 	altPubKey, err := altPrivVal.GetPubKey()
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -437,12 +432,12 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestCheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState() {
 			&ibctmtypes.Misbehaviour{
 				Header1:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(testClientHeight.RevisionHeight), testClientHeight, altTime, bothValSet, bothValSet, bothSigners),
 				Header2:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(testClientHeight.RevisionHeight), testClientHeight, suite.ctx.BlockTime(), bothValSet, bothValSet, bothSigners),
-				ClientId: testClientID,
+				ClientId: clientID,
 			},
 			func() error {
 				suite.consensusState.NextValidatorsHash = bothValsHash
 				clientState := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-				err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
+				clientID, err = suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 
 				return err
 			},
@@ -453,22 +448,22 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestCheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState() {
 			&ibctmtypes.Misbehaviour{
 				Header1:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(heightPlus5.RevisionHeight), testClientHeight, altTime, bothValSet, valSet, bothSigners),
 				Header2:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(heightPlus5.RevisionHeight), testClientHeight, suite.ctx.BlockTime(), bothValSet, valSet, bothSigners),
-				ClientId: testClientID,
+				ClientId: clientID,
 			},
 			func() error {
 				suite.consensusState.NextValidatorsHash = valsHash
 				clientState := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-				err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
+				clientID, err = suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 
 				// store intermediate consensus state to check that trustedHeight does not need to be highest consensus state before header height
 				intermediateConsState := &ibctmtypes.ConsensusState{
 					Timestamp:          suite.now.Add(time.Minute),
 					NextValidatorsHash: suite.valSetHash,
 				}
-				suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, testClientID, heightPlus3, intermediateConsState)
+				suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, clientID, heightPlus3, intermediateConsState)
 
 				clientState.LatestHeight = heightPlus3
-				suite.keeper.SetClientState(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState)
+				suite.keeper.SetClientState(suite.ctx, clientID, clientState)
 
 				return err
 			},
@@ -479,22 +474,22 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestCheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState() {
 			&ibctmtypes.Misbehaviour{
 				Header1:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(heightPlus5.RevisionHeight), testClientHeight, altTime, bothValSet, valSet, bothSigners),
 				Header2:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(heightPlus5.RevisionHeight), heightPlus3, suite.ctx.BlockTime(), bothValSet, bothValSet, bothSigners),
-				ClientId: testClientID,
+				ClientId: clientID,
 			},
 			func() error {
 				suite.consensusState.NextValidatorsHash = valsHash
 				clientState := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-				err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
+				clientID, err = suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 
 				// store trusted consensus state for Header2
 				intermediateConsState := &ibctmtypes.ConsensusState{
 					Timestamp:          suite.now.Add(time.Minute),
 					NextValidatorsHash: bothValsHash,
 				}
-				suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, testClientID, heightPlus3, intermediateConsState)
+				suite.keeper.SetClientConsensusState(suite.ctx, clientID, heightPlus3, intermediateConsState)
 
 				clientState.LatestHeight = heightPlus3
-				suite.keeper.SetClientState(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState)
+				suite.keeper.SetClientState(suite.ctx, clientID, clientState)
 
 				return err
 			},
@@ -505,12 +500,12 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestCheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState() {
 			&ibctmtypes.Misbehaviour{
 				Header1:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(heightPlus5.RevisionHeight), heightPlus3, altTime, bothValSet, bothValSet, bothSigners),
 				Header2:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(heightPlus5.RevisionHeight), testClientHeight, suite.ctx.BlockTime(), bothValSet, valSet, bothSigners),
-				ClientId: testClientID,
+				ClientId: clientID,
 			},
 			func() error {
 				suite.consensusState.NextValidatorsHash = valsHash
 				clientState := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-				err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
+				clientID, err = suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 				// intermediate consensus state at height + 3 is not created
 				return err
 			},
@@ -521,12 +516,12 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestCheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState() {
 			&ibctmtypes.Misbehaviour{
 				Header1:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(heightPlus5.RevisionHeight), testClientHeight, altTime, bothValSet, valSet, bothSigners),
 				Header2:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(heightPlus5.RevisionHeight), heightPlus3, suite.ctx.BlockTime(), bothValSet, bothValSet, bothSigners),
-				ClientId: testClientID,
+				ClientId: clientID,
 			},
 			func() error {
 				suite.consensusState.NextValidatorsHash = valsHash
 				clientState := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-				err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
+				clientID, err = suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 				// intermediate consensus state at height + 3 is not created
 				return err
 			},
@@ -543,15 +538,15 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestCheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState() {
 			&ibctmtypes.Misbehaviour{
 				Header1:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(testClientHeight.RevisionHeight), testClientHeight, altTime, bothValSet, bothValSet, bothSigners),
 				Header2:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(testClientHeight.RevisionHeight), testClientHeight, suite.ctx.BlockTime(), bothValSet, bothValSet, bothSigners),
-				ClientId: testClientID,
+				ClientId: clientID,
 			},
 			func() error {
 				suite.consensusState.NextValidatorsHash = bothValsHash
 				clientState := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-				err := suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
+				clientID, err = suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 
 				clientState.FrozenHeight = types.NewHeight(0, 1)
-				suite.keeper.SetClientState(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState)
+				suite.keeper.SetClientState(suite.ctx, clientID, clientState)
 
 				return err
 			},
@@ -562,14 +557,14 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestCheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState() {
 			&ibctmtypes.Misbehaviour{
 				Header1:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(testClientHeight.RevisionHeight), testClientHeight, altTime, bothValSet, bothValSet, bothSigners),
 				Header2:  suite.chainA.CreateTMClientHeader(testChainID, int64(testClientHeight.RevisionHeight), testClientHeight, suite.ctx.BlockTime(), altValSet, bothValSet, altSigners),
-				ClientId: testClientID,
+				ClientId: clientID,
 			},
 			func() error {
 				clientState := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(testChainID, ibctmtypes.DefaultTrustLevel, trustingPeriod, ubdPeriod, maxClockDrift, testClientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
 				if err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
-				err = suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, testClientID, clientState, suite.consensusState)
+				clientID, err = suite.keeper.CreateClient(suite.ctx, clientState, suite.consensusState)
 
 				return err
 			},
@@ -580,18 +575,22 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestCheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState() {
 	for i, tc := range testCases {
 		tc := tc
 		i := i
+
 		suite.Run(tc.name, func() {
-			suite.SetupTest() // reset
+			suite.SetupTest()       // reset
+			clientID = testClientID // must be explicitly changed
 
 			err := tc.malleate()
 			suite.Require().NoError(err)
 
+			tc.misbehaviour.ClientId = clientID
+
 			err = suite.keeper.CheckMisbehaviourAndUpdateState(suite.ctx, tc.misbehaviour)
 
 			if tc.expPass {
 				suite.Require().NoError(err, "valid test case %d failed: %s", i, tc.name)
 
-				clientState, found := suite.keeper.GetClientState(suite.ctx, testClientID)
+				clientState, found := suite.keeper.GetClientState(suite.ctx, clientID)
 				suite.Require().True(found, "valid test case %d failed: %s", i, tc.name)
 				suite.Require().True(clientState.IsFrozen(), "valid test case %d failed: %s", i, tc.name)
 				suite.Require().Equal(tc.misbehaviour.GetHeight(), clientState.GetFrozenHeight(),
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/keeper.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/keeper.go
index accf48bb14c..18cb4afd68d 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -50,6 +50,16 @@ func (k Keeper) Logger(ctx sdk.Context) log.Logger {
 	return ctx.Logger().With("module", fmt.Sprintf("x/%s/%s", host.ModuleName, types.SubModuleName))
 }
 
+// GenerateClientIdentifier returns the next client identifier.
+func (k Keeper) GenerateClientIdentifier(ctx sdk.Context, clientType string) string {
+	nextClientSeq := k.GetNextClientSequence(ctx)
+	clientID := types.FormatClientIdentifier(clientType, nextClientSeq)
+
+	nextClientSeq++
+	k.SetNextClientSequence(ctx, nextClientSeq)
+	return clientID
+}
+
 // GetClientState gets a particular client from the store
 func (k Keeper) GetClientState(ctx sdk.Context, clientID string) (exported.ClientState, bool) {
 	store := k.ClientStore(ctx, clientID)
@@ -87,6 +97,24 @@ func (k Keeper) SetClientConsensusState(ctx sdk.Context, clientID string, height
 	store.Set(host.ConsensusStateKey(height), k.MustMarshalConsensusState(consensusState))
 }
 
+// GetNextClientSequence gets the next client sequence from the store.
+func (k Keeper) GetNextClientSequence(ctx sdk.Context) uint64 {
+	store := ctx.KVStore(k.storeKey)
+	bz := store.Get([]byte(types.KeyNextClientSequence))
+	if bz == nil {
+		panic("next client sequence is nil")
+	}
+
+	return sdk.BigEndianToUint64(bz)
+}
+
+// SetNextClientSequence sets the next client sequence to the store.
+func (k Keeper) SetNextClientSequence(ctx sdk.Context, sequence uint64) {
+	store := ctx.KVStore(k.storeKey)
+	bz := sdk.Uint64ToBigEndian(sequence)
+	store.Set([]byte(types.KeyNextClientSequence), bz)
+}
+
 // IterateConsensusStates provides an iterator over all stored consensus states.
 // objects. For each State object, cb will be called. If the cb returns true,
 // the iterator will close and stop.
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/keeper_test.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/keeper_test.go
index 45ff4f674e3..ec3c0229ca5 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/keeper_test.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/keeper/keeper_test.go
@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@ const (
 	testChainID          = "gaiahub-0"
 	testChainIDRevision1 = "gaiahub-1"
 
-	testClientID  = "gaiachain"
-	testClientID2 = "ethbridge"
-	testClientID3 = "ethermint"
+	testClientID  = "tendermint-0"
+	testClientID2 = "tendermint-1"
+	testClientID3 = "tendermint-2"
 
 	height = 5
 
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/client.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/client.go
index 305b07cec47..1c44d6e2b9c 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/client.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/client.go
@@ -2,11 +2,15 @@ package types
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"math"
 	"sort"
+	"strings"
 
 	proto "github.com/gogo/protobuf/proto"
 
 	codectypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec/types"
+	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
+	host "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/24-host"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/exported"
 )
 
@@ -80,3 +84,28 @@ func NewConsensusStateWithHeight(height Height, consensusState exported.Consensu
 func (cswh ConsensusStateWithHeight) UnpackInterfaces(unpacker codectypes.AnyUnpacker) error {
 	return unpacker.UnpackAny(cswh.ConsensusState, new(exported.ConsensusState))
 }
+
+// ValidateClientType validates the client type. It cannot be blank or empty. It must be a valid
+// client identifier when used with '0' or the maximum uint64 as the sequence.
+func ValidateClientType(clientType string) error {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(clientType) == "" {
+		return sdkerrors.Wrap(ErrInvalidClientType, "client type cannot be blank")
+	}
+
+	smallestPossibleClientID := FormatClientIdentifier(clientType, 0)
+	largestPossibleClientID := FormatClientIdentifier(clientType, math.MaxUint64)
+
+	// IsValidClientID will check client type format and if the sequence is a uint64
+	if !IsValidClientID(smallestPossibleClientID) {
+		return sdkerrors.Wrap(ErrInvalidClientType, "")
+	}
+
+	if err := host.ClientIdentifierValidator(smallestPossibleClientID); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.Wrap(err, "client type results in smallest client identifier being invalid")
+	}
+	if err := host.ClientIdentifierValidator(largestPossibleClientID); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.Wrap(err, "client type results in largest client identifier being invalid")
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/client_test.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/client_test.go
index 409ab53050a..2dfd3967d28 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/client_test.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/client_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 package types_test
 
 import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/02-client/types"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/exported"
 	ibctesting "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/testing"
@@ -54,3 +58,30 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestMarshalConsensusStateWithHeight() {
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+func TestValidateClientType(t *testing.T) {
+	testCases := []struct {
+		name       string
+		clientType string
+		expPass    bool
+	}{
+		{"valid", "tendermint", true},
+		{"valid solomachine", "solomachine-v1", true},
+		{"too large", "tenderminttenderminttenderminttenderminttendermintt", false},
+		{"too short", "t", false},
+		{"blank id", "               ", false},
+		{"empty id", "", false},
+		{"ends with dash", "tendermint-", false},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range testCases {
+
+		err := types.ValidateClientType(tc.clientType)
+
+		if tc.expPass {
+			require.NoError(t, err, tc.name)
+		} else {
+			require.Error(t, err, tc.name)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis.go
index 4da2f5e9206..f7939c47893 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis.go
@@ -67,23 +67,25 @@ func (ccs ClientConsensusStates) UnpackInterfaces(unpacker codectypes.AnyUnpacke
 // NewGenesisState creates a GenesisState instance.
 func NewGenesisState(
 	clients []IdentifiedClientState, clientsConsensus ClientsConsensusStates,
-	params Params, createLocalhost bool,
+	params Params, createLocalhost bool, nextClientSequence uint64,
 ) GenesisState {
 	return GenesisState{
-		Clients:          clients,
-		ClientsConsensus: clientsConsensus,
-		Params:           params,
-		CreateLocalhost:  createLocalhost,
+		Clients:            clients,
+		ClientsConsensus:   clientsConsensus,
+		Params:             params,
+		CreateLocalhost:    createLocalhost,
+		NextClientSequence: nextClientSequence,
 	}
 }
 
 // DefaultGenesisState returns the ibc client submodule's default genesis state.
 func DefaultGenesisState() GenesisState {
 	return GenesisState{
-		Clients:          []IdentifiedClientState{},
-		ClientsConsensus: ClientsConsensusStates{},
-		Params:           DefaultParams(),
-		CreateLocalhost:  false,
+		Clients:            []IdentifiedClientState{},
+		ClientsConsensus:   ClientsConsensusStates{},
+		Params:             DefaultParams(),
+		CreateLocalhost:    false,
+		NextClientSequence: 0,
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis.pb.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis.pb.go
index 4c72edfe5e7..becfa1baba1 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis.pb.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis.pb.go
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ type GenesisState struct {
 	Params           Params                 `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=params,proto3" json:"params"`
 	// create localhost on initialization
 	CreateLocalhost bool `protobuf:"varint,4,opt,name=create_localhost,json=createLocalhost,proto3" json:"create_localhost,omitempty" yaml:"create_localhost"`
+	// the sequence for the next generated client identifier
+	NextClientSequence uint64 `protobuf:"varint,5,opt,name=next_client_sequence,json=nextClientSequence,proto3" json:"next_client_sequence,omitempty" yaml:"next_client_sequence"`
 }
 
 func (m *GenesisState) Reset()         { *m = GenesisState{} }
@@ -95,6 +97,13 @@ func (m *GenesisState) GetCreateLocalhost() bool {
 	return false
 }
 
+func (m *GenesisState) GetNextClientSequence() uint64 {
+	if m != nil {
+		return m.NextClientSequence
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
 func init() {
 	proto.RegisterType((*GenesisState)(nil), "ibc.core.client.v1.GenesisState")
 }
@@ -102,30 +111,32 @@ func init() {
 func init() { proto.RegisterFile("ibc/core/client/v1/genesis.proto", fileDescriptor_bcd0c0f1f2e6a91a) }
 
 var fileDescriptor_bcd0c0f1f2e6a91a = []byte{
-	// 362 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
-	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0x74, 0x91, 0xc1, 0x4e, 0xea, 0x40,
-	0x14, 0x86, 0xdb, 0x0b, 0xe1, 0xde, 0x94, 0x9b, 0x88, 0x8d, 0xd1, 0x06, 0x93, 0xb6, 0xe9, 0x0a,
-	0x17, 0xcc, 0x08, 0x2e, 0x34, 0x2c, 0x4b, 0xa2, 0x31, 0x71, 0xa1, 0x75, 0xe7, 0x86, 0xb4, 0xc3,
-	0x58, 0x26, 0xb6, 0x1d, 0xd2, 0x33, 0x10, 0x79, 0x05, 0x57, 0xc6, 0xc7, 0xf0, 0x49, 0x58, 0xb2,
-	0x74, 0x85, 0x06, 0xde, 0x80, 0x27, 0x30, 0xed, 0x14, 0x17, 0x80, 0xab, 0x39, 0xf9, 0xe7, 0xff,
-	0xfe, 0xff, 0x24, 0x47, 0xb3, 0x59, 0x40, 0x30, 0xe1, 0x29, 0xc5, 0x24, 0x62, 0x34, 0x11, 0x78,
-	0xdc, 0xc2, 0x21, 0x4d, 0x28, 0x30, 0x40, 0xc3, 0x94, 0x0b, 0xae, 0xeb, 0x2c, 0x20, 0x28, 0x73,
-	0x20, 0xe9, 0x40, 0xe3, 0x56, 0xdd, 0xda, 0x41, 0x15, 0xbf, 0x39, 0x54, 0x3f, 0x08, 0x79, 0xc8,
-	0xf3, 0x11, 0x67, 0x93, 0x54, 0x9d, 0x97, 0x92, 0xf6, 0xff, 0x4a, 0x86, 0xdf, 0x0b, 0x5f, 0x50,
-	0x9d, 0x68, 0x7f, 0x25, 0x06, 0x86, 0x6a, 0x97, 0x1a, 0xd5, 0xf6, 0x09, 0xda, 0x6e, 0x43, 0xd7,
-	0x7d, 0x9a, 0x08, 0xf6, 0xc8, 0x68, 0xbf, 0x9b, 0x6b, 0x39, 0xeb, 0x9a, 0xd3, 0xb9, 0xa5, 0xbc,
-	0x7f, 0x5a, 0x87, 0x3b, 0xbf, 0xc1, 0x5b, 0x27, 0xeb, 0x6f, 0xaa, 0xb6, 0x5f, 0xcc, 0x3d, 0xc2,
-	0x13, 0xa0, 0x09, 0x8c, 0xc0, 0xf8, 0xf3, 0x7b, 0x9f, 0x8c, 0xe9, 0xae, 0xad, 0x32, 0xcf, 0xed,
-	0x64, 0x7d, 0xab, 0xb9, 0x65, 0x4c, 0xfc, 0x38, 0xea, 0x38, 0x5b, 0x89, 0x4e, 0xb6, 0x8b, 0x44,
-	0x61, 0x83, 0xf5, 0x6a, 0x64, 0x43, 0xd7, 0x2f, 0xb4, 0xca, 0xd0, 0x4f, 0xfd, 0x18, 0x8c, 0x92,
-	0xad, 0x36, 0xaa, 0xed, 0xfa, 0xae, 0x45, 0x6e, 0x73, 0x87, 0x5b, 0xce, 0x9a, 0xbd, 0xc2, 0xaf,
-	0x5f, 0x6a, 0x35, 0x92, 0x52, 0x5f, 0xd0, 0x5e, 0xc4, 0x89, 0x1f, 0x0d, 0x38, 0x08, 0xa3, 0x6c,
-	0xab, 0x8d, 0x7f, 0xee, 0xf1, 0x6a, 0x6e, 0x1d, 0x15, 0xdb, 0x6d, 0x38, 0x1c, 0x6f, 0x4f, 0x4a,
-	0x37, 0x6b, 0xc5, 0xbd, 0x9b, 0x2e, 0x4c, 0x75, 0xb6, 0x30, 0xd5, 0xaf, 0x85, 0xa9, 0xbe, 0x2e,
-	0x4d, 0x65, 0xb6, 0x34, 0x95, 0x8f, 0xa5, 0xa9, 0x3c, 0x9c, 0x87, 0x4c, 0x0c, 0x46, 0x01, 0x22,
-	0x3c, 0xc6, 0x84, 0x43, 0xcc, 0xa1, 0x78, 0x9a, 0xd0, 0x7f, 0xc2, 0xcf, 0xf8, 0xe7, 0xf8, 0xa7,
-	0xed, 0x66, 0x71, 0x7f, 0x31, 0x19, 0x52, 0x08, 0x2a, 0xf9, 0x99, 0xcf, 0xbe, 0x03, 0x00, 0x00,
-	0xff, 0xff, 0x8d, 0xa4, 0x74, 0xd6, 0x55, 0x02, 0x00, 0x00,
+	// 400 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
+	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0x74, 0x92, 0xc1, 0x8e, 0x9a, 0x40,
+	0x1c, 0xc6, 0x99, 0x6a, 0x6d, 0x83, 0x4d, 0x6a, 0x27, 0xa6, 0x25, 0x9a, 0x00, 0xe1, 0x44, 0x0f,
+	0x32, 0xd5, 0x1e, 0xda, 0x78, 0xc4, 0xa4, 0x4d, 0x93, 0x1e, 0x2a, 0xbd, 0xf5, 0x42, 0x60, 0x9c,
+	0x22, 0x29, 0x30, 0x96, 0x19, 0x8d, 0xbe, 0xc5, 0x66, 0x1f, 0x63, 0x9f, 0xc4, 0xa3, 0xc7, 0xbd,
+	0x2c, 0xbb, 0xd1, 0x37, 0xf0, 0x09, 0x36, 0x30, 0xe3, 0x1e, 0x94, 0x3d, 0xf1, 0xcf, 0x37, 0xbf,
+	0xef, 0xfb, 0xfe, 0x21, 0x7f, 0xd5, 0x8c, 0x43, 0x8c, 0x30, 0xcd, 0x09, 0xc2, 0x49, 0x4c, 0x32,
+	0x8e, 0x56, 0x43, 0x14, 0x91, 0x8c, 0xb0, 0x98, 0x39, 0x8b, 0x9c, 0x72, 0x0a, 0x61, 0x1c, 0x62,
+	0xa7, 0x24, 0x1c, 0x41, 0x38, 0xab, 0x61, 0xcf, 0xa8, 0x71, 0xc9, 0xd7, 0xca, 0xd4, 0xeb, 0x46,
+	0x34, 0xa2, 0xd5, 0x88, 0xca, 0x49, 0xa8, 0xd6, 0x5d, 0x43, 0x7d, 0xf3, 0x5d, 0x84, 0xff, 0xe6,
+	0x01, 0x27, 0x10, 0xab, 0xaf, 0x84, 0x8d, 0x69, 0xc0, 0x6c, 0xd8, 0xed, 0xd1, 0x47, 0xe7, 0xb2,
+	0xcd, 0xf9, 0x31, 0x23, 0x19, 0x8f, 0xff, 0xc6, 0x64, 0x36, 0xa9, 0xb4, 0xca, 0xeb, 0xea, 0xdb,
+	0xc2, 0x50, 0x6e, 0xee, 0x8d, 0xf7, 0xb5, 0xcf, 0xcc, 0x3b, 0x25, 0xc3, 0x6b, 0xa0, 0xbe, 0x93,
+	0xb3, 0x8f, 0x69, 0xc6, 0x48, 0xc6, 0x96, 0x4c, 0x7b, 0xf1, 0x7c, 0x9f, 0x88, 0x99, 0x9c, 0x50,
+	0x91, 0xe7, 0x8e, 0xcb, 0xbe, 0x63, 0x61, 0x68, 0x9b, 0x20, 0x4d, 0xc6, 0xd6, 0x45, 0xa2, 0x55,
+	0xee, 0x22, 0xac, 0xec, 0xcc, 0xeb, 0x75, 0xf0, 0x99, 0x0e, 0xbf, 0xaa, 0xad, 0x45, 0x90, 0x07,
+	0x29, 0xd3, 0x1a, 0x26, 0xb0, 0xdb, 0xa3, 0x5e, 0xdd, 0x22, 0xbf, 0x2a, 0xc2, 0x6d, 0x96, 0xcd,
+	0x9e, 0xe4, 0xe1, 0x37, 0xb5, 0x83, 0x73, 0x12, 0x70, 0xe2, 0x27, 0x14, 0x07, 0xc9, 0x9c, 0x32,
+	0xae, 0x35, 0x4d, 0x60, 0xbf, 0x76, 0xfb, 0xc7, 0xc2, 0xf8, 0x20, 0xb7, 0x3b, 0x23, 0x2c, 0xef,
+	0xad, 0x90, 0x7e, 0x9e, 0x14, 0x38, 0x55, 0xbb, 0x19, 0x59, 0x73, 0x5f, 0xd4, 0xf9, 0x8c, 0xfc,
+	0x5f, 0x92, 0x0c, 0x13, 0xed, 0xa5, 0x09, 0xec, 0xa6, 0x6b, 0x1c, 0x0b, 0xa3, 0x2f, 0xb2, 0xea,
+	0x28, 0xcb, 0x83, 0xa5, 0x2c, 0x7f, 0xb8, 0x14, 0xdd, 0xe9, 0x76, 0xaf, 0x83, 0xdd, 0x5e, 0x07,
+	0x0f, 0x7b, 0x1d, 0x5c, 0x1d, 0x74, 0x65, 0x77, 0xd0, 0x95, 0xdb, 0x83, 0xae, 0xfc, 0xf9, 0x12,
+	0xc5, 0x7c, 0xbe, 0x0c, 0x1d, 0x4c, 0x53, 0x84, 0x29, 0x4b, 0x29, 0x93, 0x9f, 0x01, 0x9b, 0xfd,
+	0x43, 0x6b, 0xf4, 0x74, 0x4f, 0x9f, 0x46, 0x03, 0x79, 0x52, 0x7c, 0xb3, 0x20, 0x2c, 0x6c, 0x55,
+	0x97, 0xf3, 0xf9, 0x31, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x7c, 0xcd, 0xe7, 0x85, 0xa8, 0x02, 0x00, 0x00,
 }
 
 func (m *GenesisState) Marshal() (dAtA []byte, err error) {
@@ -148,6 +159,11 @@ func (m *GenesisState) MarshalToSizedBuffer(dAtA []byte) (int, error) {
 	_ = i
 	var l int
 	_ = l
+	if m.NextClientSequence != 0 {
+		i = encodeVarintGenesis(dAtA, i, uint64(m.NextClientSequence))
+		i--
+		dAtA[i] = 0x28
+	}
 	if m.CreateLocalhost {
 		i--
 		if m.CreateLocalhost {
@@ -233,6 +249,9 @@ func (m *GenesisState) Size() (n int) {
 	if m.CreateLocalhost {
 		n += 2
 	}
+	if m.NextClientSequence != 0 {
+		n += 1 + sovGenesis(uint64(m.NextClientSequence))
+	}
 	return n
 }
 
@@ -392,6 +411,25 @@ func (m *GenesisState) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 			}
 			m.CreateLocalhost = bool(v != 0)
+		case 5:
+			if wireType != 0 {
+				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field NextClientSequence", wireType)
+			}
+			m.NextClientSequence = 0
+			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
+				if shift >= 64 {
+					return ErrIntOverflowGenesis
+				}
+				if iNdEx >= l {
+					return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
+				}
+				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
+				iNdEx++
+				m.NextClientSequence |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
+				if b < 0x80 {
+					break
+				}
+			}
 		default:
 			iNdEx = preIndex
 			skippy, err := skipGenesis(dAtA[iNdEx:])
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis_test.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis_test.go
index 7d131bae619..81eff78335d 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis_test.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/genesis_test.go
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 				},
 				types.NewParams(exported.Tendermint, exported.Localhost),
 				false,
+				0,
 			),
 			expPass: true,
 		},
@@ -119,6 +120,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 				},
 				types.NewParams(exported.Tendermint),
 				false,
+				0,
 			),
 			expPass: false,
 		},
@@ -134,6 +136,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 				nil,
 				types.NewParams(exported.Tendermint),
 				false,
+				0,
 			),
 			expPass: false,
 		},
@@ -163,6 +166,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 				},
 				types.NewParams(exported.Tendermint),
 				false,
+				0,
 			),
 			expPass: false,
 		},
@@ -192,6 +196,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 				},
 				types.NewParams(exported.Tendermint),
 				false,
+				0,
 			),
 			expPass: false,
 		},
@@ -221,6 +226,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 				},
 				types.NewParams(exported.Tendermint),
 				false,
+				0,
 			),
 			expPass: false,
 		},
@@ -250,6 +256,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 				},
 				types.NewParams(exported.Solomachine),
 				false,
+				0,
 			),
 			expPass: false,
 		},
@@ -279,6 +286,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 				},
 				types.NewParams(" "),
 				false,
+				0,
 			),
 			expPass: false,
 		},
@@ -308,6 +316,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 				},
 				types.NewParams(" "),
 				true,
+				0,
 			),
 			expPass: false,
 		},
@@ -337,6 +346,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 				},
 				types.NewParams(exported.Tendermint),
 				true,
+				0,
 			),
 			expPass: false,
 		},
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/height.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/height.go
index d507ddea8c8..9ac6fec7559 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/height.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/height.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ var _ exported.Height = (*Height)(nil)
 // IsRevisionFormat checks if a chainID is in the format required for parsing revisions
 // The chainID must be in the form: `{chainID}-{revision}
 // 24-host may enforce stricter checks on chainID
-var IsRevisionFormat = regexp.MustCompile(`^.+[^-]-{1}[1-9][0-9]*$`).MatchString
+var IsRevisionFormat = regexp.MustCompile(`^.*[^-]-{1}[1-9][0-9]*$`).MatchString
 
 // ZeroHeight is a helper function which returns an uninitialized height.
 func ZeroHeight() Height {
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/height_test.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/height_test.go
index f2615c8c1d7..a455b7f58d4 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/height_test.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/height_test.go
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ func TestParseChainID(t *testing.T) {
 		formatted bool
 	}{
 		{"gaiamainnet-3", 3, true},
+		{"a-1", 1, true},
 		{"gaia-mainnet-40", 40, true},
 		{"gaiamainnet-3-39", 39, true},
 		{"gaiamainnet--", 0, false},
@@ -111,10 +112,13 @@ func TestParseChainID(t *testing.T) {
 		{"gaiamainnet--4", 0, false},
 		{"gaiamainnet-3.4", 0, false},
 		{"gaiamainnet", 0, false},
+		{"a--1", 0, false},
+		{"-1", 0, false},
+		{"--1", 0, false},
 	}
 
 	for i, tc := range cases {
-		require.Equal(t, tc.formatted, types.IsRevisionFormat(tc.chainID), "case %d does not match expected format", i)
+		require.Equal(t, tc.formatted, types.IsRevisionFormat(tc.chainID), "id %s does not match expected format", tc.chainID)
 
 		revision := types.ParseChainID(tc.chainID)
 		require.Equal(t, tc.revision, revision, "case %d returns incorrect revision", i)
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/keys.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/keys.go
index f360393335d..321f5e3ffa3 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/keys.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/keys.go
@@ -1,5 +1,15 @@
 package types
 
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"regexp"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+
+	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
+	host "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/24-host"
+)
+
 const (
 	// SubModuleName defines the IBC client name
 	SubModuleName string = "client"
@@ -9,4 +19,47 @@ const (
 
 	// QuerierRoute is the querier route for IBC client
 	QuerierRoute string = SubModuleName
+
+	// KeyNextClientSequence is the key used to store the next client sequence in
+	// the keeper.
+	KeyNextClientSequence = "nextClientSequence"
 )
+
+// FormatClientIdentifier returns the client identifier with the sequence appended.
+// This is a SDK specific format not enforced by IBC protocol.
+func FormatClientIdentifier(clientType string, sequence uint64) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s-%d", clientType, sequence)
+}
+
+// IsClientIDFormat checks if a clientID is in the format required on the SDK for
+// parsing client identifiers. The client identifier must be in the form: `{client-type}-{N}
+var IsClientIDFormat = regexp.MustCompile(`^.*[^-]-[0-9]{1,20}$`).MatchString
+
+// IsValidClientID checks if the clientID is valid and can be parsed into the client
+// identifier format.
+func IsValidClientID(clientID string) bool {
+	_, _, err := ParseClientIdentifier(clientID)
+	return err == nil
+}
+
+// ParseClientIdentifier parses the client type and sequence from the client identifier.
+func ParseClientIdentifier(clientID string) (string, uint64, error) {
+	if !IsClientIDFormat(clientID) {
+		return "", 0, sdkerrors.Wrapf(host.ErrInvalidID, "invalid client identifier %s is not in format: `{client-type}-{N}`", clientID)
+	}
+
+	splitStr := strings.Split(clientID, "-")
+	lastIndex := len(splitStr) - 1
+
+	clientType := strings.Join(splitStr[:lastIndex], "-")
+	if strings.TrimSpace(clientType) == "" {
+		return "", 0, sdkerrors.Wrap(host.ErrInvalidID, "client identifier must be in format: `{client-type}-{N}` and client type cannot be blank")
+	}
+
+	sequence, err := strconv.ParseUint(splitStr[lastIndex], 10, 64)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", 0, sdkerrors.Wrap(err, "failed to parse client identifier sequence")
+	}
+
+	return clientType, sequence, nil
+}
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/keys_test.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/keys_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..dbe56657ad8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/keys_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+package types_test
+
+import (
+	"math"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/02-client/types"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+// tests ParseClientIdentifier and IsValidClientID
+func TestParseClientIdentifier(t *testing.T) {
+	testCases := []struct {
+		name       string
+		clientID   string
+		clientType string
+		expSeq     uint64
+		expPass    bool
+	}{
+		{"valid 0", "tendermint-0", "tendermint", 0, true},
+		{"valid 1", "tendermint-1", "tendermint", 1, true},
+		{"valid solemachine", "solomachine-v1-1", "solomachine-v1", 1, true},
+		{"valid large sequence", types.FormatClientIdentifier("tendermint", math.MaxUint64), "tendermint", math.MaxUint64, true},
+		{"valid short client type", "t-0", "t", 0, true},
+		// one above uint64 max
+		{"invalid uint64", "tendermint-18446744073709551616", "tendermint", 0, false},
+		// uint64 == 20 characters
+		{"invalid large sequence", "tendermint-2345682193567182931243", "tendermint", 0, false},
+		{"missing dash", "tendermint0", "tendermint", 0, false},
+		{"blank id", "               ", "    ", 0, false},
+		{"empty id", "", "", 0, false},
+		{"negative sequence", "tendermint--1", "tendermint", 0, false},
+		{"invalid format", "tendermint-tm", "tendermint", 0, false},
+		{"empty clientype", " -100", "tendermint", 0, false},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range testCases {
+
+		clientType, seq, err := types.ParseClientIdentifier(tc.clientID)
+		valid := types.IsValidClientID(tc.clientID)
+		require.Equal(t, tc.expSeq, seq, tc.clientID)
+
+		if tc.expPass {
+			require.NoError(t, err, tc.name)
+			require.True(t, valid)
+			require.Equal(t, tc.clientType, clientType)
+		} else {
+			require.Error(t, err, tc.name, tc.clientID)
+			require.False(t, valid)
+			require.Equal(t, "", clientType)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/msgs.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/msgs.go
index d1d084ddadd..1e884123d74 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/msgs.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/msgs.go
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ var (
 // NewMsgCreateClient creates a new MsgCreateClient instance
 //nolint:interfacer
 func NewMsgCreateClient(
-	id string, clientState exported.ClientState, consensusState exported.ConsensusState, signer sdk.AccAddress,
+	clientState exported.ClientState, consensusState exported.ConsensusState, signer sdk.AccAddress,
 ) (*MsgCreateClient, error) {
 
 	anyClientState, err := PackClientState(clientState)
@@ -45,7 +45,6 @@ func NewMsgCreateClient(
 	}
 
 	return &MsgCreateClient{
-		ClientId:       id,
 		ClientState:    anyClientState,
 		ConsensusState: anyConsensusState,
 		Signer:         signer.String(),
@@ -75,17 +74,20 @@ func (msg MsgCreateClient) ValidateBasic() error {
 	if err := clientState.Validate(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if clientState.ClientType() == exported.Localhost || msg.ClientId == exported.Localhost {
+	if clientState.ClientType() == exported.Localhost {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrap(ErrInvalidClient, "localhost client can only be created on chain initialization")
 	}
 	consensusState, err := UnpackConsensusState(msg.ConsensusState)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if err := consensusState.ValidateBasic(); err != nil {
-		return err
+	if clientState.ClientType() != consensusState.ClientType() {
+		return sdkerrors.Wrap(ErrInvalidClientType, "client type for client state and consensus state do not match")
 	}
-	return host.ClientIdentifierValidator(msg.ClientId)
+	if err := ValidateClientType(clientState.ClientType()); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.Wrap(err, "client type does not meet naming constraints")
+	}
+	return consensusState.ValidateBasic()
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes implements sdk.Msg. The function will panic since it is used
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/msgs_test.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/msgs_test.go
index 7d2da65d2cd..e42725bae26 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/msgs_test.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/msgs_test.go
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/exported"
 	solomachinetypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/light-clients/06-solomachine/types"
 	ibctmtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/light-clients/07-tendermint/types"
-	localhosttypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/light-clients/09-localhost/types"
 	ibctesting "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/testing"
 )
 
@@ -50,14 +49,14 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestMarshalMsgCreateClient() {
 		{
 			"solo machine client", func() {
 				soloMachine := ibctesting.NewSolomachine(suite.T(), suite.chainA.Codec, "solomachine", "", 2)
-				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(soloMachine.ClientID, soloMachine.ClientState(), soloMachine.ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
+				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(soloMachine.ClientState(), soloMachine.ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			"tendermint client", func() {
 				tendermintClient := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(suite.chainA.ChainID, ibctesting.DefaultTrustLevel, ibctesting.TrustingPeriod, ibctesting.UnbondingPeriod, ibctesting.MaxClockDrift, clientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient("tendermint", tendermintClient, suite.chainA.CurrentTMClientHeader().ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
+				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(tendermintClient, suite.chainA.CurrentTMClientHeader().ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 			},
 		},
@@ -98,18 +97,11 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestMsgCreateClient_ValidateBasic() {
 		malleate func()
 		expPass  bool
 	}{
-		{
-			"invalid client-id",
-			func() {
-				msg.ClientId = ""
-			},
-			false,
-		},
 		{
 			"valid - tendermint client",
 			func() {
 				tendermintClient := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(suite.chainA.ChainID, ibctesting.DefaultTrustLevel, ibctesting.TrustingPeriod, ibctesting.UnbondingPeriod, ibctesting.MaxClockDrift, clientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient("tendermint", tendermintClient, suite.chainA.CurrentTMClientHeader().ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
+				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(tendermintClient, suite.chainA.CurrentTMClientHeader().ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 			},
 			true,
@@ -117,7 +109,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestMsgCreateClient_ValidateBasic() {
 		{
 			"invalid tendermint client",
 			func() {
-				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient("tendermint", &ibctmtypes.ClientState{}, suite.chainA.CurrentTMClientHeader().ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
+				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(&ibctmtypes.ClientState{}, suite.chainA.CurrentTMClientHeader().ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 			},
 			false,
@@ -133,7 +125,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestMsgCreateClient_ValidateBasic() {
 			"failed to unpack consensus state",
 			func() {
 				tendermintClient := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(suite.chainA.ChainID, ibctesting.DefaultTrustLevel, ibctesting.TrustingPeriod, ibctesting.UnbondingPeriod, ibctesting.MaxClockDrift, clientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
-				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient("tendermint", tendermintClient, suite.chainA.CurrentTMClientHeader().ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
+				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(tendermintClient, suite.chainA.CurrentTMClientHeader().ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 				msg.ConsensusState = nil
 			},
@@ -150,7 +142,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestMsgCreateClient_ValidateBasic() {
 			"valid - solomachine client",
 			func() {
 				soloMachine := ibctesting.NewSolomachine(suite.T(), suite.chainA.Codec, "solomachine", "", 2)
-				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(soloMachine.ClientID, soloMachine.ClientState(), soloMachine.ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
+				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(soloMachine.ClientState(), soloMachine.ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 			},
 			true,
@@ -159,7 +151,7 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestMsgCreateClient_ValidateBasic() {
 			"invalid solomachine client",
 			func() {
 				soloMachine := ibctesting.NewSolomachine(suite.T(), suite.chainA.Codec, "solomachine", "", 2)
-				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(soloMachine.ClientID, &solomachinetypes.ClientState{}, soloMachine.ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
+				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(&solomachinetypes.ClientState{}, soloMachine.ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 			},
 			false,
@@ -168,16 +160,17 @@ func (suite *TypesTestSuite) TestMsgCreateClient_ValidateBasic() {
 			"invalid solomachine consensus state",
 			func() {
 				soloMachine := ibctesting.NewSolomachine(suite.T(), suite.chainA.Codec, "solomachine", "", 2)
-				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(soloMachine.ClientID, soloMachine.ClientState(), &solomachinetypes.ConsensusState{}, suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
+				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(soloMachine.ClientState(), &solomachinetypes.ConsensusState{}, suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 			},
 			false,
 		},
 		{
-			"unsupported - localhost client",
+			"invalid - client state and consensus state client types do not match",
 			func() {
-				localhostClient := localhosttypes.NewClientState(suite.chainA.ChainID, types.NewHeight(0, uint64(suite.chainA.LastHeader.Header.Height)))
-				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient("localhost", localhostClient, suite.chainA.LastHeader.ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
+				tendermintClient := ibctmtypes.NewClientState(suite.chainA.ChainID, ibctesting.DefaultTrustLevel, ibctesting.TrustingPeriod, ibctesting.UnbondingPeriod, ibctesting.MaxClockDrift, clientHeight, commitmenttypes.GetSDKSpecs(), ibctesting.UpgradePath, false, false)
+				soloMachine := ibctesting.NewSolomachine(suite.T(), suite.chainA.Codec, "solomachine", "", 2)
+				msg, err = types.NewMsgCreateClient(tendermintClient, soloMachine.ConsensusState(), suite.chainA.SenderAccount.GetAddress())
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 			},
 			false,
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/tx.pb.go b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/tx.pb.go
index 2a1a6b8885c..b0bf22d0cc1 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/tx.pb.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/02-client/types/tx.pb.go
@@ -31,15 +31,13 @@ const _ = proto.GoGoProtoPackageIsVersion3 // please upgrade the proto package
 
 // MsgCreateClient defines a message to create an IBC client
 type MsgCreateClient struct {
-	// client unique identifier
-	ClientId string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=client_id,json=clientId,proto3" json:"client_id,omitempty" yaml:"client_id"`
 	// light client state
-	ClientState *types.Any `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=client_state,json=clientState,proto3" json:"client_state,omitempty" yaml:"client_state"`
+	ClientState *types.Any `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=client_state,json=clientState,proto3" json:"client_state,omitempty" yaml:"client_state"`
 	// consensus state associated with the client that corresponds to a given
 	// height.
-	ConsensusState *types.Any `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=consensus_state,json=consensusState,proto3" json:"consensus_state,omitempty" yaml:"consensus_state"`
+	ConsensusState *types.Any `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=consensus_state,json=consensusState,proto3" json:"consensus_state,omitempty" yaml:"consensus_state"`
 	// signer address
-	Signer string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=signer,proto3" json:"signer,omitempty"`
+	Signer string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=signer,proto3" json:"signer,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (m *MsgCreateClient) Reset()         { *m = MsgCreateClient{} }
@@ -374,45 +372,45 @@ func init() {
 func init() { proto.RegisterFile("ibc/core/client/v1/tx.proto", fileDescriptor_cb5dc4651eb49a04) }
 
 var fileDescriptor_cb5dc4651eb49a04 = []byte{
-	// 598 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
-	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0xe4, 0x55, 0x3f, 0x6f, 0xd3, 0x4e,
-	0x18, 0x8e, 0x9b, 0xdf, 0x2f, 0x6a, 0xaf, 0x81, 0x56, 0x26, 0xb4, 0xa9, 0xab, 0xda, 0x95, 0xe9,
-	0x10, 0x44, 0xeb, 0x23, 0x61, 0x00, 0x75, 0x23, 0x9d, 0x18, 0x22, 0x51, 0x57, 0x0c, 0xb0, 0x04,
-	0xff, 0xb9, 0x5e, 0xac, 0x26, 0xbe, 0xc8, 0x67, 0x47, 0xcd, 0x37, 0x60, 0x44, 0x82, 0x0f, 0x50,
-	0x31, 0xf0, 0x59, 0x18, 0x3b, 0x30, 0x30, 0x45, 0x28, 0x59, 0x98, 0xf3, 0x09, 0x90, 0xef, 0x1c,
-	0xcb, 0x76, 0xed, 0x28, 0x82, 0x91, 0xc9, 0x7e, 0xef, 0x7d, 0xee, 0x79, 0x9e, 0x7b, 0xdf, 0xf7,
-	0x6c, 0xb0, 0xef, 0x98, 0x16, 0xb4, 0x88, 0x87, 0xa0, 0xd5, 0x77, 0x90, 0xeb, 0xc3, 0x51, 0x13,
-	0xfa, 0xd7, 0xda, 0xd0, 0x23, 0x3e, 0x11, 0x45, 0xc7, 0xb4, 0xb4, 0x30, 0xa9, 0xf1, 0xa4, 0x36,
-	0x6a, 0x4a, 0x35, 0x4c, 0x30, 0x61, 0x69, 0x18, 0xbe, 0x71, 0xa4, 0xb4, 0x87, 0x09, 0xc1, 0x7d,
-	0x04, 0x59, 0x64, 0x06, 0x97, 0xd0, 0x70, 0xc7, 0x51, 0x4a, 0xc9, 0x51, 0x88, 0xe8, 0x18, 0x40,
-	0xfd, 0xb4, 0x06, 0xb6, 0x3a, 0x14, 0x9f, 0x79, 0xc8, 0xf0, 0xd1, 0x19, 0xcb, 0x88, 0x4d, 0xb0,
-	0xc1, 0x31, 0x5d, 0xc7, 0xae, 0x0b, 0x87, 0x42, 0x63, 0xa3, 0x5d, 0x9b, 0x4f, 0x94, 0xed, 0xb1,
-	0x31, 0xe8, 0x9f, 0xaa, 0x71, 0x4a, 0xd5, 0xd7, 0xf9, 0xfb, 0x2b, 0x5b, 0x7c, 0x0d, 0xaa, 0xd1,
-	0x3a, 0xf5, 0x0d, 0x1f, 0xd5, 0xd7, 0x0e, 0x85, 0xc6, 0x66, 0xab, 0xa6, 0x71, 0x67, 0xda, 0xc2,
-	0x99, 0xf6, 0xd2, 0x1d, 0xb7, 0x77, 0xe7, 0x13, 0xe5, 0x41, 0x8a, 0x8b, 0xed, 0x51, 0xf5, 0x4d,
-	0x1e, 0x5e, 0x84, 0x91, 0xf8, 0x16, 0x6c, 0x59, 0xc4, 0xa5, 0xc8, 0xa5, 0x01, 0x8d, 0x48, 0xcb,
-	0x4b, 0x48, 0xa5, 0xf9, 0x44, 0xd9, 0x89, 0x48, 0xd3, 0xdb, 0x54, 0xfd, 0x7e, 0xbc, 0xc2, 0xa9,
-	0x77, 0x40, 0x85, 0x3a, 0xd8, 0x45, 0x5e, 0xfd, 0xbf, 0xf0, 0x70, 0x7a, 0x14, 0x9d, 0xae, 0x7f,
-	0xb8, 0x51, 0x4a, 0xbf, 0x6e, 0x94, 0x92, 0xba, 0x07, 0x76, 0x33, 0x45, 0xd1, 0x11, 0x1d, 0x86,
-	0x2c, 0xea, 0x67, 0x81, 0x15, 0xec, 0xcd, 0xd0, 0xfe, 0xab, 0x82, 0x1d, 0x83, 0x4a, 0x0f, 0x19,
-	0x36, 0xf2, 0x96, 0x95, 0x4a, 0x8f, 0x30, 0x09, 0xc7, 0xe5, 0xa5, 0x8e, 0x93, 0xae, 0x62, 0xc7,
-	0xdf, 0xcb, 0x60, 0x9b, 0xe5, 0xb0, 0x67, 0xd8, 0xff, 0x4a, 0x8f, 0xcf, 0x41, 0x6d, 0xe8, 0x11,
-	0x72, 0xd9, 0x0d, 0xf8, 0xb1, 0xbb, 0x5c, 0x97, 0x75, 0xbc, 0xda, 0x56, 0xe6, 0x13, 0x65, 0x9f,
-	0x33, 0xe5, 0xa1, 0x54, 0x5d, 0x64, 0xcb, 0xe9, 0x92, 0x5d, 0x81, 0x83, 0x0c, 0x38, 0xe3, 0xfd,
-	0x7f, 0xc6, 0xdd, 0x98, 0x4f, 0x94, 0xa3, 0x5c, 0xee, 0xac, 0x67, 0x29, 0x25, 0x52, 0x34, 0xa3,
-	0x95, 0x82, 0x8e, 0x4b, 0xa0, 0x9e, 0xed, 0x6a, 0xdc, 0xf2, 0xaf, 0x02, 0x78, 0xd8, 0xa1, 0xf8,
-	0x22, 0x30, 0x07, 0x8e, 0xdf, 0x71, 0xa8, 0x89, 0x7a, 0xc6, 0xc8, 0x21, 0x81, 0xf7, 0x27, 0x7d,
-	0x7f, 0x01, 0xaa, 0x83, 0x04, 0xc5, 0xd2, 0x81, 0x4d, 0x21, 0x57, 0x18, 0x5b, 0x05, 0x1c, 0xe4,
-	0xfa, 0x5c, 0x9c, 0xa4, 0xf5, 0xa5, 0x0c, 0xca, 0x1d, 0x8a, 0xc5, 0xf7, 0xa0, 0x9a, 0xfa, 0x46,
-	0x3d, 0xd2, 0xee, 0x7e, 0x1e, 0xb5, 0xcc, 0x9d, 0x95, 0x9e, 0xac, 0x00, 0x5a, 0x28, 0x85, 0x0a,
-	0xa9, 0x4b, 0x5d, 0xa4, 0x90, 0x04, 0x15, 0x2a, 0xe4, 0x5d, 0x44, 0xd1, 0x02, 0xf7, 0xd2, 0x13,
-	0x75, 0x54, 0xb8, 0x3b, 0x81, 0x92, 0x8e, 0x57, 0x41, 0xc5, 0x22, 0x1e, 0x10, 0x73, 0xda, 0xfe,
-	0xb8, 0x80, 0xe3, 0x2e, 0x54, 0x6a, 0xae, 0x0c, 0x5d, 0x68, 0xb6, 0xcf, 0xbf, 0x4d, 0x65, 0xe1,
-	0x76, 0x2a, 0x0b, 0x3f, 0xa7, 0xb2, 0xf0, 0x71, 0x26, 0x97, 0x6e, 0x67, 0x72, 0xe9, 0xc7, 0x4c,
-	0x2e, 0xbd, 0x7b, 0x8e, 0x1d, 0xbf, 0x17, 0x98, 0x9a, 0x45, 0x06, 0xd0, 0x22, 0x74, 0x40, 0x68,
-	0xf4, 0x38, 0xa1, 0xf6, 0x15, 0xbc, 0x86, 0xf1, 0xef, 0xe9, 0x69, 0xeb, 0x24, 0xfa, 0x43, 0xf9,
-	0xe3, 0x21, 0xa2, 0x66, 0x85, 0x8d, 0xd5, 0xb3, 0xdf, 0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0xd2, 0x19,
-	0x59, 0x52, 0x23, 0x07, 0x00, 0x00,
+	// 601 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
+	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0xb4, 0x55, 0x3f, 0x6f, 0xd3, 0x40,
+	0x1c, 0x8d, 0x1b, 0x88, 0x9a, 0x6b, 0xa0, 0x95, 0x09, 0x6d, 0xea, 0xaa, 0x76, 0x64, 0x3a, 0x04,
+	0xd1, 0xfa, 0x48, 0x18, 0x40, 0xdd, 0x48, 0x27, 0x86, 0x48, 0xd4, 0x15, 0x03, 0x2c, 0xc1, 0x7f,
+	0xae, 0x97, 0x53, 0x13, 0x5f, 0xe4, 0xb3, 0xa3, 0xe6, 0x1b, 0x30, 0x32, 0xf0, 0x01, 0x2a, 0x06,
+	0x3e, 0x0b, 0x63, 0x07, 0x06, 0xa6, 0xa8, 0x4a, 0x16, 0xe6, 0x7c, 0x02, 0x14, 0x9f, 0x13, 0x62,
+	0xd7, 0x8e, 0x2c, 0xa0, 0x53, 0x7c, 0xfe, 0xbd, 0x7b, 0xef, 0xf7, 0xf2, 0x7e, 0xe7, 0x03, 0x7b,
+	0xc4, 0xb4, 0xa0, 0x45, 0x5d, 0x04, 0xad, 0x2e, 0x41, 0x8e, 0x07, 0x07, 0x75, 0xe8, 0x5d, 0x6a,
+	0x7d, 0x97, 0x7a, 0x54, 0x14, 0x89, 0x69, 0x69, 0xb3, 0xa2, 0xc6, 0x8b, 0xda, 0xa0, 0x2e, 0x95,
+	0x31, 0xc5, 0x34, 0x28, 0xc3, 0xd9, 0x13, 0x47, 0x4a, 0xbb, 0x98, 0x52, 0xdc, 0x45, 0x30, 0x58,
+	0x99, 0xfe, 0x39, 0x34, 0x9c, 0x61, 0x58, 0x52, 0x12, 0x14, 0x42, 0xba, 0x00, 0xa0, 0xde, 0x08,
+	0x60, 0xb3, 0xc5, 0xf0, 0x89, 0x8b, 0x0c, 0x0f, 0x9d, 0x04, 0x15, 0xf1, 0x2d, 0x28, 0x71, 0x4c,
+	0x9b, 0x79, 0x86, 0x87, 0x2a, 0x42, 0x55, 0xa8, 0x6d, 0x34, 0xca, 0x1a, 0x97, 0xd1, 0xe6, 0x32,
+	0xda, 0x6b, 0x67, 0xd8, 0xdc, 0x99, 0x8e, 0x94, 0x47, 0x43, 0xa3, 0xd7, 0x3d, 0x56, 0x97, 0xf7,
+	0xa8, 0xfa, 0x06, 0x5f, 0x9e, 0xcd, 0x56, 0xe2, 0x7b, 0xb0, 0x69, 0x51, 0x87, 0x21, 0x87, 0xf9,
+	0x2c, 0x24, 0x5d, 0x5b, 0x41, 0x2a, 0x4d, 0x47, 0xca, 0x76, 0x48, 0x1a, 0xdd, 0xa6, 0xea, 0x0f,
+	0x17, 0x6f, 0x38, 0xf5, 0x36, 0x28, 0x30, 0x82, 0x1d, 0xe4, 0x56, 0xf2, 0x55, 0xa1, 0x56, 0xd4,
+	0xc3, 0xd5, 0xf1, 0xfa, 0xa7, 0x2b, 0x25, 0xf7, 0xeb, 0x4a, 0xc9, 0xa9, 0xbb, 0x60, 0x27, 0xe6,
+	0x50, 0x47, 0xac, 0x3f, 0x63, 0x51, 0xbf, 0x70, 0xf7, 0xef, 0xfa, 0xf6, 0x1f, 0xf7, 0x75, 0x50,
+	0x0c, 0x9d, 0x10, 0x3b, 0xb0, 0x5e, 0x6c, 0x96, 0xa7, 0x23, 0x65, 0x2b, 0x62, 0x92, 0xd8, 0xaa,
+	0xbe, 0xce, 0x9f, 0xdf, 0xd8, 0xe2, 0x21, 0x28, 0x74, 0x90, 0x61, 0x23, 0x77, 0x95, 0x2b, 0x3d,
+	0xc4, 0x64, 0xee, 0x78, 0xb9, 0xab, 0x45, 0xc7, 0x3f, 0xf2, 0x60, 0x2b, 0xa8, 0x61, 0xd7, 0xb0,
+	0xff, 0xa1, 0xe5, 0x78, 0xc6, 0x6b, 0x77, 0x91, 0x71, 0xfe, 0x3f, 0x65, 0x7c, 0x0a, 0xca, 0x7d,
+	0x97, 0xd2, 0xf3, 0xb6, 0xcf, 0x6d, 0xb7, 0xb9, 0x6e, 0xe5, 0x5e, 0x55, 0xa8, 0x95, 0x9a, 0xca,
+	0x74, 0xa4, 0xec, 0x71, 0xa6, 0x24, 0x94, 0xaa, 0x8b, 0xc1, 0xeb, 0xe8, 0x5f, 0x76, 0x01, 0xf6,
+	0x63, 0xe0, 0x58, 0xef, 0xf7, 0x03, 0xee, 0xda, 0x74, 0xa4, 0x1c, 0x24, 0x72, 0xc7, 0x7b, 0x96,
+	0x22, 0x22, 0x69, 0x33, 0x5a, 0x48, 0x49, 0x5c, 0x02, 0x95, 0x78, 0xaa, 0x8b, 0xc8, 0xbf, 0x09,
+	0xe0, 0x71, 0x8b, 0xe1, 0x33, 0xdf, 0xec, 0x11, 0xaf, 0x45, 0x98, 0x89, 0x3a, 0xc6, 0x80, 0x50,
+	0xdf, 0xfd, 0x9b, 0xdc, 0x5f, 0x81, 0x52, 0x6f, 0x89, 0x62, 0xe5, 0xc0, 0x46, 0x90, 0x19, 0xc6,
+	0x56, 0x01, 0xfb, 0x89, 0x7d, 0xce, 0x9d, 0x34, 0xbe, 0xe6, 0x41, 0xbe, 0xc5, 0xb0, 0xf8, 0x11,
+	0x94, 0x22, 0x1f, 0x9c, 0x27, 0xda, 0xed, 0x6f, 0x9d, 0x16, 0x3b, 0xb3, 0xd2, 0xb3, 0x0c, 0xa0,
+	0xb9, 0xd2, 0x4c, 0x21, 0x72, 0xa8, 0xd3, 0x14, 0x96, 0x41, 0xa9, 0x0a, 0x49, 0x07, 0x51, 0xb4,
+	0xc0, 0x83, 0xe8, 0x44, 0x1d, 0xa4, 0xee, 0x5e, 0x42, 0x49, 0x87, 0x59, 0x50, 0x0b, 0x11, 0x17,
+	0x88, 0x09, 0xb1, 0x3f, 0x4d, 0xe1, 0xb8, 0x0d, 0x95, 0xea, 0x99, 0xa1, 0x73, 0xcd, 0xe6, 0xe9,
+	0xf7, 0xb1, 0x2c, 0x5c, 0x8f, 0x65, 0xe1, 0x66, 0x2c, 0x0b, 0x9f, 0x27, 0x72, 0xee, 0x7a, 0x22,
+	0xe7, 0x7e, 0x4e, 0xe4, 0xdc, 0x87, 0x97, 0x98, 0x78, 0x1d, 0xdf, 0xd4, 0x2c, 0xda, 0x83, 0x16,
+	0x65, 0x3d, 0xca, 0xc2, 0x9f, 0x23, 0x66, 0x5f, 0xc0, 0x4b, 0xb8, 0xb8, 0x6b, 0x9e, 0x37, 0x8e,
+	0xc2, 0xeb, 0xc6, 0x1b, 0xf6, 0x11, 0x33, 0x0b, 0xc1, 0x58, 0xbd, 0xf8, 0x1d, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff,
+	0xff, 0xf4, 0xf1, 0xa7, 0x9a, 0xf0, 0x06, 0x00, 0x00,
 }
 
 // Reference imports to suppress errors if they are not otherwise used.
@@ -636,7 +634,7 @@ func (m *MsgCreateClient) MarshalToSizedBuffer(dAtA []byte) (int, error) {
 		copy(dAtA[i:], m.Signer)
 		i = encodeVarintTx(dAtA, i, uint64(len(m.Signer)))
 		i--
-		dAtA[i] = 0x22
+		dAtA[i] = 0x1a
 	}
 	if m.ConsensusState != nil {
 		{
@@ -648,7 +646,7 @@ func (m *MsgCreateClient) MarshalToSizedBuffer(dAtA []byte) (int, error) {
 			i = encodeVarintTx(dAtA, i, uint64(size))
 		}
 		i--
-		dAtA[i] = 0x1a
+		dAtA[i] = 0x12
 	}
 	if m.ClientState != nil {
 		{
@@ -660,13 +658,6 @@ func (m *MsgCreateClient) MarshalToSizedBuffer(dAtA []byte) (int, error) {
 			i = encodeVarintTx(dAtA, i, uint64(size))
 		}
 		i--
-		dAtA[i] = 0x12
-	}
-	if len(m.ClientId) > 0 {
-		i -= len(m.ClientId)
-		copy(dAtA[i:], m.ClientId)
-		i = encodeVarintTx(dAtA, i, uint64(len(m.ClientId)))
-		i--
 		dAtA[i] = 0xa
 	}
 	return len(dAtA) - i, nil
@@ -954,10 +945,6 @@ func (m *MsgCreateClient) Size() (n int) {
 	}
 	var l int
 	_ = l
-	l = len(m.ClientId)
-	if l > 0 {
-		n += 1 + l + sovTx(uint64(l))
-	}
 	if m.ClientState != nil {
 		l = m.ClientState.Size()
 		n += 1 + l + sovTx(uint64(l))
@@ -1120,38 +1107,6 @@ func (m *MsgCreateClient) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 		}
 		switch fieldNum {
 		case 1:
-			if wireType != 2 {
-				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field ClientId", wireType)
-			}
-			var stringLen uint64
-			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
-				if shift >= 64 {
-					return ErrIntOverflowTx
-				}
-				if iNdEx >= l {
-					return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
-				}
-				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
-				iNdEx++
-				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
-				if b < 0x80 {
-					break
-				}
-			}
-			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
-			if intStringLen < 0 {
-				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
-			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
-			if postIndex < 0 {
-				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
-			}
-			if postIndex > l {
-				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
-			}
-			m.ClientId = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
-			iNdEx = postIndex
-		case 2:
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field ClientState", wireType)
 			}
@@ -1187,7 +1142,7 @@ func (m *MsgCreateClient) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				return err
 			}
 			iNdEx = postIndex
-		case 3:
+		case 2:
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field ConsensusState", wireType)
 			}
@@ -1223,7 +1178,7 @@ func (m *MsgCreateClient) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				return err
 			}
 			iNdEx = postIndex
-		case 4:
+		case 3:
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Signer", wireType)
 			}
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/03-connection/keeper/handshake_test.go b/x/ibc/core/03-connection/keeper/handshake_test.go
index eb9ca5c401b..d70fd013dcc 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/03-connection/keeper/handshake_test.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/03-connection/keeper/handshake_test.go
@@ -41,8 +41,9 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestConnOpenInit() {
 			version = &types.Version{}
 		}, false},
 		{"couldn't add connection to client", func() {
-			// swap client identifiers to result in client that does not exist
-			clientB, clientA = suite.coordinator.SetupClients(suite.chainA, suite.chainB, exported.Tendermint)
+			clientA, clientB = suite.coordinator.SetupClients(suite.chainA, suite.chainB, exported.Tendermint)
+			// set clientA to invalid client identifier
+			clientA = "clientidentifier"
 		}, false},
 	}
 
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/03-connection/types/keys.go b/x/ibc/core/03-connection/types/keys.go
index c44602203e5..65af565c2ab 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/03-connection/types/keys.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/03-connection/types/keys.go
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ package types
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"strconv"
-	"strings"
+	"regexp"
 
 	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
+	host "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/24-host"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -30,11 +30,17 @@ const (
 )
 
 // FormatConnectionIdentifier returns the connection identifier with the sequence appended.
+// This is a SDK specific format not enforced by IBC protocol.
 func FormatConnectionIdentifier(sequence uint64) string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%s%d", ConnectionPrefix, sequence)
 }
 
-// IsValidConnectionID return true if the connection identifier is valid.
+// IsConnectionIDFormat checks if a connectionID is in the format required on the SDK for
+// parsing connection identifiers. The connection identifier must be in the form: `connection-{N}
+var IsConnectionIDFormat = regexp.MustCompile(`^connection-[0-9]{1,20}$`).MatchString
+
+// IsValidConnectionID checks if the connection identifier is valid and can be parsed to
+// the connection identifier format.
 func IsValidConnectionID(connectionID string) bool {
 	_, err := ParseConnectionSequence(connectionID)
 	return err == nil
@@ -42,18 +48,14 @@ func IsValidConnectionID(connectionID string) bool {
 
 // ParseConnectionSequence parses the connection sequence from the connection identifier.
 func ParseConnectionSequence(connectionID string) (uint64, error) {
-	if !strings.HasPrefix(connectionID, ConnectionPrefix) {
-		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrapf(ErrInvalidConnectionIdentifier, "doesn't contain prefix `%s`", ConnectionPrefix)
-	}
-
-	splitStr := strings.Split(connectionID, ConnectionPrefix)
-	if len(splitStr) != 2 {
-		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrap(ErrInvalidConnectionIdentifier, "connection identifier must be in format: `connection-{N}`")
+	if !IsConnectionIDFormat(connectionID) {
+		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrap(host.ErrInvalidID, "connection identifier is not in the format: `connection-{N}`")
 	}
 
-	sequence, err := strconv.ParseUint(splitStr[1], 10, 64)
+	sequence, err := host.ParseIdentifier(connectionID, ConnectionPrefix)
 	if err != nil {
-		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrap(err, "failed to parse connection identifier sequence")
+		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrap(err, "invalid connection identifier")
 	}
+
 	return sequence, nil
 }
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/03-connection/types/keys_test.go b/x/ibc/core/03-connection/types/keys_test.go
index 261bd2895fb..c899dc3c53a 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/03-connection/types/keys_test.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/03-connection/types/keys_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package types_test
 
 import (
+	"math"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/03-connection/types"
@@ -17,10 +18,13 @@ func TestParseConnectionSequence(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{"valid 0", "connection-0", 0, true},
 		{"valid 1", "connection-1", 1, true},
-		{"valid large sequence", "connection-234568219356718293", 234568219356718293, true},
+		{"valid large sequence", types.FormatConnectionIdentifier(math.MaxUint64), math.MaxUint64, true},
+		// one above uint64 max
+		{"invalid uint64", "connection-18446744073709551616", 0, false},
 		// uint64 == 20 characters
 		{"invalid large sequence", "connection-2345682193567182931243", 0, false},
 		{"capital prefix", "Connection-0", 0, false},
+		{"double prefix", "connection-connection-0", 0, false},
 		{"missing dash", "connection0", 0, false},
 		{"blank id", "               ", 0, false},
 		{"empty id", "", 0, false},
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/04-channel/types/keys.go b/x/ibc/core/04-channel/types/keys.go
index b6c5745dda1..d3a6cde24d5 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/04-channel/types/keys.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/04-channel/types/keys.go
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ package types
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"strconv"
-	"strings"
+	"regexp"
 
 	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
+	host "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/24-host"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -30,11 +30,17 @@ const (
 )
 
 // FormatChannelIdentifier returns the channel identifier with the sequence appended.
+// This is a SDK specific format not enforced by IBC protocol.
 func FormatChannelIdentifier(sequence uint64) string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%s%d", ChannelPrefix, sequence)
 }
 
-// IsValidChannelID return true if the channel identifier is valid.
+// IsChannelIDFormat checks if a channelID is in the format required on the SDK for
+// parsing channel identifiers. The channel identifier must be in the form: `channel-{N}
+var IsChannelIDFormat = regexp.MustCompile(`^channel-[0-9]{1,20}$`).MatchString
+
+// IsValidChannelID checks if a channelID is valid and can be parsed to the channel
+// identifier format.
 func IsValidChannelID(channelID string) bool {
 	_, err := ParseChannelSequence(channelID)
 	return err == nil
@@ -42,18 +48,14 @@ func IsValidChannelID(channelID string) bool {
 
 // ParseChannelSequence parses the channel sequence from the channel identifier.
 func ParseChannelSequence(channelID string) (uint64, error) {
-	if !strings.HasPrefix(channelID, ChannelPrefix) {
-		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrapf(ErrInvalidChannelIdentifier, "doesn't contain prefix `%s`", ChannelPrefix)
-	}
-
-	splitStr := strings.Split(channelID, ChannelPrefix)
-	if len(splitStr) != 2 {
-		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrap(ErrInvalidChannelIdentifier, "channel identifier must be in format: `channel-{N}`")
+	if !IsChannelIDFormat(channelID) {
+		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrap(host.ErrInvalidID, "channel identifier is not in the format: `channel-{N}`")
 	}
 
-	sequence, err := strconv.ParseUint(splitStr[1], 10, 64)
+	sequence, err := host.ParseIdentifier(channelID, ChannelPrefix)
 	if err != nil {
-		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrap(err, "failed to parse channel identifier sequence")
+		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrap(err, "invalid channel identifier")
 	}
+
 	return sequence, nil
 }
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/04-channel/types/keys_test.go b/x/ibc/core/04-channel/types/keys_test.go
index 418174cb040..86e4e61aa2c 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/04-channel/types/keys_test.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/04-channel/types/keys_test.go
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ func TestParseChannelSequence(t *testing.T) {
 		{"valid 0", "channel-0", 0, true},
 		{"valid 1", "channel-1", 1, true},
 		{"valid large sequence", "channel-234568219356718293", 234568219356718293, true},
+		// one above uint64 max
+		{"invalid uint64", "channel-18446744073709551616", 0, false},
 		// uint64 == 20 characters
 		{"invalid large sequence", "channel-2345682193567182931243", 0, false},
 		{"capital prefix", "Channel-0", 0, false},
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/24-host/parse.go b/x/ibc/core/24-host/parse.go
index 7e6301a391f..8c3459500d9 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/24-host/parse.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/24-host/parse.go
@@ -1,11 +1,37 @@
 package host
 
 import (
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 
 	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
 )
 
+// ParseIdentifier parses the sequence from the identifier using the provided prefix. This function
+// does not need to be used by counterparty chains. SDK generated connection and channel identifiers
+// are required to use this format.
+func ParseIdentifier(identifier, prefix string) (uint64, error) {
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(identifier, prefix) {
+		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrapf(ErrInvalidID, "identifier doesn't contain prefix `%s`", prefix)
+	}
+
+	splitStr := strings.Split(identifier, prefix)
+	if len(splitStr) != 2 {
+		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrapf(ErrInvalidID, "identifier must be in format: `%s{N}`", prefix)
+	}
+
+	// sanity check
+	if splitStr[0] != "" {
+		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrapf(ErrInvalidID, "identifier must begin with prefix %s", prefix)
+	}
+
+	sequence, err := strconv.ParseUint(splitStr[1], 10, 64)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, sdkerrors.Wrap(err, "failed to parse identifier sequence")
+	}
+	return sequence, nil
+}
+
 // ParseConnectionPath returns the connection ID from a full path. It returns
 // an error if the provided path is invalid.
 func ParseConnectionPath(path string) (string, error) {
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/24-host/parse_test.go b/x/ibc/core/24-host/parse_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..cbee37ddbcb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x/ibc/core/24-host/parse_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package host_test
+
+import (
+	"math"
+	"testing"
+
+	connectiontypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/03-connection/types"
+	host "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/ibc/core/24-host"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestParseIdentifier(t *testing.T) {
+	testCases := []struct {
+		name       string
+		identifier string
+		prefix     string
+		expSeq     uint64
+		expPass    bool
+	}{
+		{"valid 0", "connection-0", "connection-", 0, true},
+		{"valid 1", "connection-1", "connection-", 1, true},
+		{"valid large sequence", connectiontypes.FormatConnectionIdentifier(math.MaxUint64), "connection-", math.MaxUint64, true},
+		// one above uint64 max
+		{"invalid uint64", "connection-18446744073709551616", "connection-", 0, false},
+		// uint64 == 20 characters
+		{"invalid large sequence", "connection-2345682193567182931243", "conenction-", 0, false},
+		{"capital prefix", "Connection-0", "connection-", 0, false},
+		{"double prefix", "connection-connection-0", "connection-", 0, false},
+		{"doesn't have prefix", "connection-0", "prefix", 0, false},
+		{"missing dash", "connection0", "connection-", 0, false},
+		{"blank id", "               ", "connection-", 0, false},
+		{"empty id", "", "connection-", 0, false},
+		{"negative sequence", "connection--1", "connection-", 0, false},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range testCases {
+
+		seq, err := host.ParseIdentifier(tc.identifier, tc.prefix)
+		require.Equal(t, tc.expSeq, seq)
+
+		if tc.expPass {
+			require.NoError(t, err, tc.name)
+		} else {
+			require.Error(t, err, tc.name)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/genesis_test.go b/x/ibc/core/genesis_test.go
index 29a26aad740..bc4c5834d3e 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/genesis_test.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/genesis_test.go
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ func (suite *IBCTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 					},
 					clienttypes.NewParams(exported.Tendermint, exported.Localhost),
 					true,
+					0,
 				),
 				ConnectionGenesis: connectiontypes.NewGenesisState(
 					[]connectiontypes.IdentifiedConnection{
@@ -154,6 +155,7 @@ func (suite *IBCTestSuite) TestValidateGenesis() {
 					nil,
 					clienttypes.NewParams(exported.Tendermint),
 					false,
+					0,
 				),
 				ConnectionGenesis: connectiontypes.DefaultGenesisState(),
 			},
@@ -239,6 +241,7 @@ func (suite *IBCTestSuite) TestInitGenesis() {
 					},
 					clienttypes.NewParams(exported.Tendermint, exported.Localhost),
 					true,
+					0,
 				),
 				ConnectionGenesis: connectiontypes.NewGenesisState(
 					[]connectiontypes.IdentifiedConnection{
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/keeper/msg_server.go b/x/ibc/core/keeper/msg_server.go
index 2b655ff9a2f..78f822e4d5a 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/keeper/msg_server.go
+++ b/x/ibc/core/keeper/msg_server.go
@@ -32,14 +32,15 @@ func (k Keeper) CreateClient(goCtx context.Context, msg *clienttypes.MsgCreateCl
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	if err = k.ClientKeeper.CreateClient(ctx, msg.ClientId, clientState, consensusState); err != nil {
+	clientID, err := k.ClientKeeper.CreateClient(ctx, clientState, consensusState)
+	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	ctx.EventManager().EmitEvents(sdk.Events{
 		sdk.NewEvent(
 			clienttypes.EventTypeCreateClient,
-			sdk.NewAttribute(clienttypes.AttributeKeyClientID, msg.ClientId),
+			sdk.NewAttribute(clienttypes.AttributeKeyClientID, clientID),
 			sdk.NewAttribute(clienttypes.AttributeKeyClientType, clientState.ClientType()),
 			sdk.NewAttribute(clienttypes.AttributeKeyConsensusHeight, clientState.GetLatestHeight().String()),
 		),
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/spec/01_concepts.md b/x/ibc/core/spec/01_concepts.md
index c3059e5f587..045508999d3 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/spec/01_concepts.md
+++ b/x/ibc/core/spec/01_concepts.md
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@ this [document](https://github.com/cosmos/ics/blob/master/ibc/1_IBC_TERMINOLOGY.
 ## Client Creation, Updates, and Upgrades
 
 IBC clients are on chain light clients. The light client is responsible for verifying
-counterparty state. A light client can be created by any user submitting a client
-identifier and a valid initial `ClientState` and `ConsensusState`. The client identifier
-must not already be used. Clients are given a client identifier prefixed store to
-store their associated client state and consensus states. Consensus states are 
-stored using their associated height. 
+counterparty state. A light client can be created by any user submitting a valid initial 
+`ClientState` and `ConsensusState`. The client identifier is auto generated using the
+client type and the global client counter appended in the format: `{client-type}-{N}`.
+Clients are given a client identifier prefixed store to store their associated client 
+state and consensus states. Consensus states are stored using their associated height. 
 
 Clients can be updated by any user submitting a valid `Header`. The client state callback
 to `CheckHeaderAndUpdateState` is responsible for verifying the header against previously
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/spec/02_state.md b/x/ibc/core/spec/02_state.md
index 54eb41bc4bc..2c85a525a95 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/spec/02_state.md
+++ b/x/ibc/core/spec/02_state.md
@@ -13,9 +13,12 @@ The client type is not stored since it can be obtained through the client state.
 | "0/"   | "clients/{identifier}/clientState"                                          | ClientState    |
 | "0/"   | "clients/{identifier}/consensusStates/{height}"                             | ConsensusState |
 | "0/"   | "clients/{identifier}/connections"                                          | []string       |
+| "0/"   | "nextClientSequence                                                         | uint64         |
 | "0/"   | "connections/{identifier}"                                                  | ConnectionEnd  |
+| "0/"   | "nextConnectionSequence"                                                    | uint64         |
 | "0/"   | "ports/{identifier}"                                                        | CapabilityKey  |
 | "0/"   | "channelEnds/ports/{identifier}/channels/{identifier}"                      | ChannelEnd     |
+| "0/"   | "nextChannelSequence"                                                       | uint64         |
 | "0/"   | "capabilities/ports/{identifier}/channels/{identifier}"                     | CapabilityKey  |
 | "0/"   | "nextSequenceSend/ports/{identifier}/channels/{identifier}"                 | uint64         |
 | "0/"   | "nextSequenceRecv/ports/{identifier}/channels/{identifier}"                 | uint64         |
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/spec/03_state_transitions.md b/x/ibc/core/spec/03_state_transitions.md
index de31957d66e..be3b508b795 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/spec/03_state_transitions.md
+++ b/x/ibc/core/spec/03_state_transitions.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ The described state transitions assume successful message exection.
 ## Create Client
 
 `MsgCreateClient` will initialize and store a `ClientState` and `ConsensusState` in the sub-store
-created using the given client identifier. 
+created using a generated client identifier. 
 
 ## Update Client
 
diff --git a/x/ibc/core/spec/04_messages.md b/x/ibc/core/spec/04_messages.md
index 34d68200b28..3728e6d6f32 100644
--- a/x/ibc/core/spec/04_messages.md
+++ b/x/ibc/core/spec/04_messages.md
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ A light client is created using the `MsgCreateClient`.
 
 ```go
 type MsgCreateClient struct {
-  ClientId        string
   ClientState     *types.Any // proto-packed client state
   ConsensusState  *types.Any // proto-packed consensus state
   Signer          sdk.AccAddress
@@ -23,13 +22,11 @@ type MsgCreateClient struct {
 
 This message is expected to fail if:
 
-- `ClientId` is invalid (see naming requirements)
 - `ClientState` is empty or invalid
 - `ConsensusState` is empty or invalid
 - `Signer` is empty
-- A light client with the provided id and type already exist
 
-The message creates and stores a light client with an initial consensus state for the given client
+The message creates and stores a light client with an initial consensus state using a generated client
 identifier.
 
 ### MsgUpdateClient
@@ -112,7 +109,6 @@ A connection is initialized on a light client using the `MsgConnectionOpenInit`.
 ```go
 type MsgConnectionOpenInit struct {
 	ClientId     string                                       
-	ConnectionId string                                        
 	Counterparty Counterparty                                  
 	Version      string
 	Signer       sdk.AccAddress
@@ -121,7 +117,6 @@ type MsgConnectionOpenInit struct {
 
 This message is expected to fail if:
 - `ClientId` is invalid (see naming requirements)
-- `ConnectionId` is invalid (see naming requirements)
 - `Counterparty` is empty
 - 'Version' is not empty and invalid
 - `Signer` is empty
@@ -138,8 +133,7 @@ using the `MsgConnectionOpenTry`.
 ```go
 type MsgConnectionOpenTry struct {
 	ClientId                       string
-	DesiredConnectionId            string
-	CounterpartyChosenConnectionId string
+	PreviousConnectionId           string
 	ClientState                    *types.Any // proto-packed counterparty client
 	Counterparty                   Counterparty
 	CounterpartyVersions           []string
@@ -155,8 +149,7 @@ type MsgConnectionOpenTry struct {
 This message is expected to fail if:
 
 - `ClientId` is invalid (see naming requirements)
-- `DesiredConnectionId` is invalid (see naming requirements)
-- `CounterpartyChosenConnectionId` is not empty and doesn't match `DesiredConnectionId`
+- `PreviousConnectionId` is not empty and invalid (see naming requirements)
 - `ClientState` is not a valid client of the executing chain
 - `Counterparty` is empty
 - `CounterpartyVersions` is empty
@@ -167,15 +160,13 @@ This message is expected to fail if:
 - `ConsensusHeight` is zero
 - `Signer` is empty
 - A Client hasn't been created for the given ID
-- A Connection for the given ID already exists
+- If a previous connection exists but does not match the supplied parameters.
 - `ProofInit` does not prove that the counterparty connection is in state INIT
 - `ProofClient` does not prove that the counterparty has stored the `ClientState` provided in message
 - `ProofConsensus` does not prove that the counterparty has the correct consensus state for this chain
 
-The message creates a connection for the given ID with an TRYOPEN State. The `CounterpartyChosenConnectionID` 
-represents the connection ID the counterparty set under `connection.Counterparty.ConnectionId`
-to represent the connection ID this chain should use. An empty string indicates the connection
-identifier is flexible and gives this chain an opportunity to choose its own identifier.
+The message creates a connection for a generated connection ID with an TRYOPEN State. If a previous
+connection already exists, it updates the connection state from INIT to TRYOPEN.
 
 ### MsgConnectionOpenAck
 
@@ -251,7 +242,6 @@ message.
 ```go
 type MsgChannelOpenInit struct {
   PortId    string
-  ChannelId string
   Channel   Channel
   Signer    sdk.AccAddress
 }
@@ -260,12 +250,11 @@ type MsgChannelOpenInit struct {
 This message is expected to fail if:
 
 - `PortId` is invalid (see naming requirements)
-- `ChannelId` is invalid (see naming requirements)
 - `Channel` is empty
 - `Signer` is empty
 - A Channel End exists for the given Channel ID and Port ID
 
-The message creates a channel on chain A with an INIT state for the given Channel ID
+The message creates a channel on chain A with an INIT state for a generated Channel ID
 and Port ID.
 
 ### MsgChannelOpenTry
@@ -276,8 +265,7 @@ the `MsgChannelOpenTry` message.
 ```go
 type MsgChannelOpenTry struct {
 	PortId                      string    
-	DesiredChannelId            string   
-	CounterpartyChosenChannelId string 
+	PreviousChannelId            string   
 	Channel                     Channel 
 	CounterpartyVersion         string 
 	ProofInit                   []byte
@@ -289,21 +277,18 @@ type MsgChannelOpenTry struct {
 This message is expected to fail if:
 
 - `PortId` is invalid (see naming requirements)
-- `DesiredChannelId` is invalid (see naming requirements)
-- `CounterpartyChosenChannelId` is not empty and not equal to `ChannelId`
+- `PreviousChannelId` is not empty and invalid (see naming requirements)
 - `Channel` is empty
 - `CounterpartyVersion` is empty
 - `ProofInit` is empty
 - `ProofHeight` is zero
 - `Signer` is empty
-- A Channel End exists for the given Channel and Port ID
+- A previous channel exists and does not match the provided parameters.
 - `ProofInit` does not prove that the counterparty's Channel state is in INIT
 
-The message creates a channel on chain B with an TRYOPEN state for the given Channel ID 
-and Port ID. The `CounterpartyChosenChannelId` represents the channel ID the counterparty set under
-`connection.Counterparty.ChannelId` to represent the channel ID this chain should use.
-An empty string indicates the channel identifier is flexible and gives this chain an
-opportunity to choose its own identifier.
+The message creates a channel on chain B with an TRYOPEN state for using a generated Channel ID 
+and given Port ID if the previous channel does not already exist. Otherwise it udates the 
+previous channel state from INIT to TRYOPEN.
 
 
 ### MsgChannelOpenAck
diff --git a/x/ibc/light-clients/06-solomachine/client/cli/tx.go b/x/ibc/light-clients/06-solomachine/client/cli/tx.go
index 37db768a302..8d1709fc279 100644
--- a/x/ibc/light-clients/06-solomachine/client/cli/tx.go
+++ b/x/ibc/light-clients/06-solomachine/client/cli/tx.go
@@ -24,12 +24,12 @@ const (
 // NewCreateClientCmd defines the command to create a new solo machine client.
 func NewCreateClientCmd() *cobra.Command {
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
-		Use:   "create [client-id] [sequence] [path/to/consensus_state.json]",
+		Use:   "create [sequence] [path/to/consensus_state.json]",
 		Short: "create new solo machine client",
 		Long: `create a new solo machine client with the specified identifier and public key
 	- ConsensusState json example: {"public_key":{"@type":"/cosmos.crypto.secp256k1.PubKey","key":"A/3SXL2ONYaOkxpdR5P8tHTlSlPv1AwQwSFxKRee5JQW"},"diversifier":"diversifier","timestamp":"10"}`,
-		Example: fmt.Sprintf("%s tx ibc %s create [client-id] [sequence] [path/to/consensus_state] --from node0 --home ../node0/<app>cli --chain-id $CID", version.AppName, types.SubModuleName),
-		Args:    cobra.ExactArgs(3),
+		Example: fmt.Sprintf("%s tx ibc %s create [sequence] [path/to/consensus_state] --from node0 --home ../node0/<app>cli --chain-id $CID", version.AppName, types.SubModuleName),
+		Args:    cobra.ExactArgs(2),
 		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 			clientCtx := client.GetClientContextFromCmd(cmd)
 			clientCtx, err := client.ReadTxCommandFlags(clientCtx, cmd.Flags())
@@ -37,9 +37,7 @@ func NewCreateClientCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				return err
 			}
 
-			clientID := args[0]
-
-			sequence, err := strconv.ParseUint(args[1], 10, 64)
+			sequence, err := strconv.ParseUint(args[0], 10, 64)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -48,10 +46,10 @@ func NewCreateClientCmd() *cobra.Command {
 
 			// attempt to unmarshal consensus state argument
 			consensusState := &types.ConsensusState{}
-			if err := cdc.UnmarshalJSON([]byte(args[2]), consensusState); err != nil {
+			if err := cdc.UnmarshalJSON([]byte(args[1]), consensusState); err != nil {
 
 				// check for file path if JSON input is not provided
-				contents, err := ioutil.ReadFile(args[2])
+				contents, err := ioutil.ReadFile(args[1])
 				if err != nil {
 					return errors.Wrap(err, "neither JSON input nor path to .json file for consensus state were provided")
 				}
@@ -64,7 +62,7 @@ func NewCreateClientCmd() *cobra.Command {
 			allowUpdateAfterProposal, _ := cmd.Flags().GetBool(flagAllowUpdateAfterProposal)
 
 			clientState := types.NewClientState(sequence, consensusState, allowUpdateAfterProposal)
-			msg, err := clienttypes.NewMsgCreateClient(clientID, clientState, consensusState, clientCtx.GetFromAddress())
+			msg, err := clienttypes.NewMsgCreateClient(clientState, consensusState, clientCtx.GetFromAddress())
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
diff --git a/x/ibc/light-clients/07-tendermint/client/cli/tx.go b/x/ibc/light-clients/07-tendermint/client/cli/tx.go
index 3bd2f0c0b73..04a274aceca 100644
--- a/x/ibc/light-clients/07-tendermint/client/cli/tx.go
+++ b/x/ibc/light-clients/07-tendermint/client/cli/tx.go
@@ -34,15 +34,15 @@ const (
 // in https://github.com/cosmos/ics/tree/master/spec/ics-002-client-semantics#create
 func NewCreateClientCmd() *cobra.Command {
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
-		Use:   "create [client-id] [path/to/consensus_state.json] [trusting_period] [unbonding_period] [max_clock_drift]",
+		Use:   "create [path/to/consensus_state.json] [trusting_period] [unbonding_period] [max_clock_drift]",
 		Short: "create new tendermint client",
 		Long: `Create a new tendermint IBC client. 
   - 'trust-level' flag can be a fraction (eg: '1/3') or 'default'
   - 'proof-specs' flag can be JSON input, a path to a .json file or 'default'
   - 'upgrade-path' flag is a string specifying the upgrade path for this chain where a future upgraded client will be stored. The path is a comma-separated list representing the keys in order of the keyPath to the committed upgraded client.
   e.g. 'upgrade/upgradedClient'`,
-		Example: fmt.Sprintf("%s tx ibc %s create [client-id] [path/to/consensus_state.json] [trusting_period] [unbonding_period] [max_clock_drift] --trust-level default --consensus-params [path/to/consensus-params.json] --proof-specs [path/to/proof-specs.json] --upgrade-path upgrade/upgradedClient --from node0 --home ../node0/<app>cli --chain-id $CID", version.AppName, types.SubModuleName),
-		Args:    cobra.ExactArgs(5),
+		Example: fmt.Sprintf("%s tx ibc %s create [path/to/consensus_state.json] [trusting_period] [unbonding_period] [max_clock_drift] --trust-level default --consensus-params [path/to/consensus-params.json] --proof-specs [path/to/proof-specs.json] --upgrade-path upgrade/upgradedClient --from node0 --home ../node0/<app>cli --chain-id $CID", version.AppName, types.SubModuleName),
+		Args:    cobra.ExactArgs(4),
 		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 			clientCtx := client.GetClientContextFromCmd(cmd)
 			clientCtx, err := client.ReadTxCommandFlags(clientCtx, cmd.Flags())
@@ -50,15 +50,13 @@ func NewCreateClientCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				return err
 			}
 
-			clientID := args[0]
-
 			cdc := codec.NewProtoCodec(clientCtx.InterfaceRegistry)
 			legacyAmino := codec.NewLegacyAmino()
 
 			var header *types.Header
-			if err := cdc.UnmarshalJSON([]byte(args[1]), header); err != nil {
+			if err := cdc.UnmarshalJSON([]byte(args[0]), header); err != nil {
 				// check for file path if JSON input is not provided
-				contents, err := ioutil.ReadFile(args[1])
+				contents, err := ioutil.ReadFile(args[0])
 				if err != nil {
 					return errors.New("neither JSON input nor path to .json file were provided for consensus header")
 				}
@@ -83,17 +81,17 @@ func NewCreateClientCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				}
 			}
 
-			trustingPeriod, err := time.ParseDuration(args[2])
+			trustingPeriod, err := time.ParseDuration(args[1])
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 
-			ubdPeriod, err := time.ParseDuration(args[3])
+			ubdPeriod, err := time.ParseDuration(args[2])
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 
-			maxClockDrift, err := time.ParseDuration(args[4])
+			maxClockDrift, err := time.ParseDuration(args[3])
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -137,7 +135,7 @@ func NewCreateClientCmd() *cobra.Command {
 			consensusState := header.ConsensusState()
 
 			msg, err := clienttypes.NewMsgCreateClient(
-				clientID, clientState, consensusState, clientCtx.GetFromAddress(),
+				clientState, consensusState, clientCtx.GetFromAddress(),
 			)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
diff --git a/x/ibc/testing/chain.go b/x/ibc/testing/chain.go
index b63e72c3e9d..4dc8ec4f25e 100644
--- a/x/ibc/testing/chain.go
+++ b/x/ibc/testing/chain.go
@@ -369,8 +369,8 @@ func (chain *TestChain) GetPrefix() commitmenttypes.MerklePrefix {
 
 // NewClientID appends a new clientID string in the format:
 // ClientFor<counterparty-chain-id><index>
-func (chain *TestChain) NewClientID(counterpartyChainID string) string {
-	clientID := "client" + strconv.Itoa(len(chain.ClientIDs)) + "For" + counterpartyChainID
+func (chain *TestChain) NewClientID(clientType string) string {
+	clientID := fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", clientType, strconv.Itoa(len(chain.ClientIDs)))
 	chain.ClientIDs = append(chain.ClientIDs, clientID)
 	return clientID
 }
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ func (chain *TestChain) ConstructMsgCreateClient(counterparty *TestChain, client
 	}
 
 	msg, err := clienttypes.NewMsgCreateClient(
-		clientID, clientState, consensusState, chain.SenderAccount.GetAddress(),
+		clientState, consensusState, chain.SenderAccount.GetAddress(),
 	)
 	require.NoError(chain.t, err)
 	return msg
diff --git a/x/ibc/testing/chain_test.go b/x/ibc/testing/chain_test.go
index bf5af6de636..361a9c4c15a 100644
--- a/x/ibc/testing/chain_test.go
+++ b/x/ibc/testing/chain_test.go
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ func TestCreateSortedSignerArray(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// smaller address
 	validator1.Address = []byte{1}
+	validator2.Address = []byte{2}
 	validator2.VotingPower = 1
 
 	expected = []tmtypes.PrivValidator{privVal1, privVal2}
diff --git a/x/ibc/testing/coordinator.go b/x/ibc/testing/coordinator.go
index aecdcd4b704..95b59a1db9b 100644
--- a/x/ibc/testing/coordinator.go
+++ b/x/ibc/testing/coordinator.go
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ func (coord *Coordinator) CreateClient(
 ) (clientID string, err error) {
 	coord.CommitBlock(source, counterparty)
 
-	clientID = source.NewClientID(counterparty.ChainID)
+	clientID = source.NewClientID(clientType)
 
 	switch clientType {
 	case exported.Tendermint: