Dog Licensing FAQ
Knowingly providing FALSE information to a public official is a violation of Section 2921.13A5 of the Ohio Revised Code and is a misdemeanor of the first degree. Please read this page before applying for a dog license.
- Does my dog need a license?
- Why should I get a license for my dog?
- What do I do if I find a lost dog?
- How do I report my dog as having been lost?
- How often does the license have to be renewed?
- How much does an online dog license cost?
- How can I avoid a late fee?
- How do I get a duplicate license?
- How do I transfer a license to a new owner?
- What if I move?
- Where do the proceeds go from the dog license program?
- Where can I find the laws that apply to dog licensing?
- How do I know that purchasing a license online is safe?
- Do County officials have access to my credit card information?
- How will I know that my payment was made?
- How long does it typically take before I receive my dog license?
Does my dog need a license?
- Yes. Your dog can be up to three (3) months old before it is required to get a license. All dogs over three (3) months of age must be licensed.
Back to top
- Yes. Your dog can be up to three (3) months old before it is required to get a license. All dogs over three (3) months of age must be licensed.
Back to top
Why should I get a license for my dog?
- Because it's the law! And a license is a lost dog's ticket home! When your dog has its license attached to its collar, its assigned license number is all that is necessary for our office to identify the dog's owner.
Back to top
- Because it's the law! And a license is a lost dog's ticket home! When your dog has its license attached to its collar, its assigned license number is all that is necessary for our office to identify the dog's owner.
Back to top
What do I do if I find a lost dog?
- Please call your local Dog Shelter or Animal Control.
Back to top
- Please call your local Dog Shelter or Animal Control.
Back to top
How do I report my dog as having been lost?
- Please call your local Dog Shelter or Animal Control.
Back to top
- Please call your local Dog Shelter or Animal Control.
Back to top
How often does the license have to be renewed?
- Dog licenses must be renewed annually between December 1 and January 31.
Back to top
- Dog licenses must be renewed annually between December 1 and January 31.
Back to top
How much does an online dog license cost?
- The base fee for a dog license is set by your County Commissioners. A license may also be assessed a late penalty if purchased outside the standard renewal period. Besides these fees, a license purchased online will have a convenience fee associated to it. The amount of the convenience fee is indicated with the other fees on a license.
Back to top
- The base fee for a dog license is set by your County Commissioners. A license may also be assessed a late penalty if purchased outside the standard renewal period. Besides these fees, a license purchased online will have a convenience fee associated to it. The amount of the convenience fee is indicated with the other fees on a license.
Back to top
How can I avoid a late fee?
- Ohio law requires licenses to be renewed between December 1 and January 31 each year. License applications after January 31 are subject to a late penalty.
Back to top
- Ohio law requires licenses to be renewed between December 1 and January 31 each year. License applications after January 31 are subject to a late penalty.
Back to top
How do I get a duplicate license? How do I replace a lost
license?
- If you or your pet loses a license, you can request a duplicate license from the County Auditor's Office for a small fee. Please contact your County Auditor's office for the necessary form.
Back to top
- If you or your pet loses a license, you can request a duplicate license from the County Auditor's Office for a small fee. Please contact your County Auditor's office for the necessary form.
Back to top
How do I transfer a license to a new owner?
- The ownership of a current dog license can be transferred to another owner for a small fee. The current owner on file, or executor of the current owner's estate, must sign the transfer form. It is also advisable for the new owner to sign the form. Please contact your County Auditor's office for the necessary form.
Back to top
- The ownership of a current dog license can be transferred to another owner for a small fee. The current owner on file, or executor of the current owner's estate, must sign the transfer form. It is also advisable for the new owner to sign the form. Please contact your County Auditor's office for the necessary form.
Back to top
What if I move?
- If you move within your current County, you can call your County Auditor's office with your new address and telephone number so they can keep the information up-to-date. If you move to another county, call that County's Auditor for licensing information.
Back to top
- If you move within your current County, you can call your County Auditor's office with your new address and telephone number so they can keep the information up-to-date. If you move to another county, call that County's Auditor for licensing information.
Back to top
Where do the proceeds go from the dog license program?
- The license proceeds support the County Dog Shelter and the issuance of licenses. They are often the sole support for day-to-day operations at the County Dog Shelter.
Back to top
- The license proceeds support the County Dog Shelter and the issuance of licenses. They are often the sole support for day-to-day operations at the County Dog Shelter.
Back to top
Where can I find the laws that apply to dog licensing?
- The laws governing dog licensing in the State of Ohio can be found in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), sections 955.01 thru 955.99.
Back to top
- The laws governing dog licensing in the State of Ohio can be found in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), sections 955.01 thru 955.99.
Back to top
How do I know that purchasing a license online is safe?
- The system is PCI DSS compliant and uses industry-standard technology for the secure handling of user and credit card information. All passwords and credit card numbers are encrypted. Hard drives in production servers are encrypted. During a transaction any sensitive data is transported via SSL. Firewalls guard against intrusion. Any unnecessary server application is turned off. Periodic scans by a third-party are done to detect vulnerabilities and maintain PCI DSS compliance.
Back to top
- The system is PCI DSS compliant and uses industry-standard technology for the secure handling of user and credit card information. All passwords and credit card numbers are encrypted. Hard drives in production servers are encrypted. During a transaction any sensitive data is transported via SSL. Firewalls guard against intrusion. Any unnecessary server application is turned off. Periodic scans by a third-party are done to detect vulnerabilities and maintain PCI DSS compliance.
Back to top
Do County officials have access to my credit card information?
- No. Credit card information is not made available to County officials. If for any reason your credit card cannot be processed, you will be notified via email or telephone and directed with how to make corrections. Credit card orders for dog licenses will not be accepted over the telephone.
Back to top
- No. Credit card information is not made available to County officials. If for any reason your credit card cannot be processed, you will be notified via email or telephone and directed with how to make corrections. Credit card orders for dog licenses will not be accepted over the telephone.
Back to top
How will I know that my order was placed?
- After completing the check-out process, you will see a confirmation page with a transaction number. We recommend you print or save this page for your records.
Back to top
- After completing the check-out process, you will see a confirmation page with a transaction number. We recommend you print or save this page for your records.
Back to top
How long does it typically take before I receive my dog license?
- Licenses are sent through the postal mail and should arrive within 10 business days. Please contact the County if your license doesn't reach you within this period. Extra processing time may be necessary between December 1 to January 31 due to volume.
Back to top
- Licenses are sent through the postal mail and should arrive within 10 business days. Please contact the County if your license doesn't reach you within this period. Extra processing time may be necessary between December 1 to January 31 due to volume.
Back to top