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 long is a dog's license valid? What if I forget to buy my dog's license during the renewal period of December 1 to January 31?
- How do I get a duplicate license? How do I replace a lost 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?
Online Registration and Credit Card Questions (Provided By Fairfield Computer Services, LLC.)
- 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?
- When will this charge be posted to my account?
- 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.
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- 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.
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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.
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- 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.
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What do I do if I find a lost dog?
- If the dog is wearing a current Fairfield County license tag, you can search the Dog Database for the owner or give us a call during working hours:
- If the dog is wearing a current Fairfield County license tag, you can search the Dog Database for the owner or give us a call during working hours:
Back to top(740) 652-7020 or (740) 652-7025
M-F: 8:00am-4:00pm
How do I report my dog as having been lost?
- Contact us for assistance:
- Contact us for assistance:
Back to top(740) 652-7020 or (740) 652-7025
M-F: 8:00am-4:00pm
How often does the license have to be renewed?
- Dog licenses must be renewed annually between December 1 and January 31.
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- Dog licenses must be renewed annually between December 1 and January 31.
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How much does an online dog license cost?
- The annual base fee for an online dog license in Fairfield County is $14.00 (this amount reflects an online processing fee of $2.00).
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- The annual base fee for an online dog license in Fairfield County is $14.00 (this amount reflects an online processing fee of $2.00).
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How can I avoid a late fee? How long is a dog's license valid? What
if I forget to buy my dog's license during the renewal period of
December 1 to January 31?
- Ohio Law Requires licenses to be renewed between December 1 and January 31 each year. After January 31, if you wait more than thirty (30) days to license a dog over three (3) months of age, Ohio law requires the Auditor to assess a late fee equal to the cost of the license. There are no provisions in the law to waive the fee.
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- Ohio Law Requires licenses to be renewed between December 1 and January 31 each year. After January 31, if you wait more than thirty (30) days to license a dog over three (3) months of age, Ohio law requires the Auditor to assess a late fee equal to the cost of the license. There are no provisions in the law to waive the fee.
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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 through the county office for 25 cents. Please send us a letter with the license number and a self-addressed, stamped envelope so we can send a replacement license. You will be unable to process your duplicate dog license application online. Please complete the "printable" application, print it out, sign the form, and mail it with applicable fees enclosed to:
- If you or your pet loses a license, you can request a duplicate license through the county office for 25 cents. Please send us a letter with the license number and a self-addressed, stamped envelope so we can send a replacement license. You will be unable to process your duplicate dog license application online. Please complete the "printable" application, print it out, sign the form, and mail it with applicable fees enclosed to:
Barbara Curtiss,
Fairfield County Auditor
Dog License Section
210 E. Main St. Rm 201
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
Click to Download a PDF file of the Application
(This file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download it for free.)
Back to top(This file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download it for free.)
How do I transfer a license to a new owner?
- The ownership of a current dog license can be transferred to another owner for just 25 cents. 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. You can download the application and mail it to our office. You will be unable to process your transfer application online. Please complete the "printable" application, print it out, sign the form, and mail it with applicable fees enclosed to:
- The ownership of a current dog license can be transferred to another owner for just 25 cents. 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. You can download the application and mail it to our office. You will be unable to process your transfer application online. Please complete the "printable" application, print it out, sign the form, and mail it with applicable fees enclosed to:
Barbara Curtiss,
Fairfield County Auditor
Dog License Section
210 E. Main St. Rm 201
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
Click to Download a PDF file of the Application
(This file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download it for free.)
Back to top(This file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download it for free.)
What if I move?
- If you move within Fairfield County, you can call (740) 652-7020 or (740) 652-7025 with your new address and telephone number so we can keep the information up-to-date. If you move to another county, call that County's Auditor for licensing information.
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- If you move within Fairfield County, you can call (740) 652-7020 or (740) 652-7025 with your new address and telephone number so we can keep the information up-to-date. If you move to another county, call that County's Auditor for licensing information.
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Where do the proceeds go from the dog license program?
- The license proceeds support the Fairfield County dog shelter and the issuance of licenses.
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- The license proceeds support the Fairfield County dog shelter and the issuance of licenses.
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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. Please click here to read/view all the relevant laws.
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- 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. Please click here to read/view all the relevant laws.
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Online Registration and Credit Card Questions
(Provided By Fairfield Computer Services, LLC.)
(Provided By Fairfield Computer Services, LLC.)
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.
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- 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.
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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 asked to log in to your account to verify credit card information and to make any necessary corrections. Credit card orders for dog licenses will not be accepted over the telephone.
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- 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 asked to log in to your account to verify credit card information and to make any necessary corrections. Credit card orders for dog licenses will not be accepted over the telephone.
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How will I know that my payment was made?
- You will see a confirmation page with a transaction number after completing the payment process. We recommend you print or save this page for your records.
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- You will see a confirmation page with a transaction number after completing the payment process. We recommend you print or save this page for your records.
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When will this charge be posted to my account?
- Normally, this charge will be posted to your account within 10 business days.
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- Normally, this charge will be posted to your account within 10 business days.
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How long does it typically take before I receive my dog license?
- Licenses are sent through postal mail and should arrive within 10 business days. The charge will be posted to your credit card at time of registration. Please contact us if your dog license doesn't reach you within this period. Please allow extra time for processing during December 1 to February 28.
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- Licenses are sent through postal mail and should arrive within 10 business days. The charge will be posted to your credit card at time of registration. Please contact us if your dog license doesn't reach you within this period. Please allow extra time for processing during December 1 to February 28.
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