Carri L. Brown, PhD, MBA, CGFM
Auditor, Fairfield County
Fairfield County Dog LicensingFrequently Asked Questions
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 does my dog qualify for a discount license rate?
- 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?
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 topAuditor's Office
(740) 652-7020 or (740) 652-7025
M-F: 8:00am-4:00pmDog Warden's Office
(740) 687-3647
For center hours or to report a found dog visit: https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/dog/
How do I report my dog as having been lost?
- Contact us for assistance:
- Contact us for assistance:
Back to topAuditor's Office
(740) 652-7020 or (740) 652-7025
M-F: 8:00am-4:00pmDog Warden's Office
(740) 687-3647
For center hours or to report a lost dog visit: https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/dog/
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 $33.00 (this amount reflects an online processing fee of $3.00). If your dog is spayed or neutered, a discount brings the price to $22.50 (this amount reflects an online processing fee of $2.50). Three year and permanent licenses are also available (Click here to view all registration fees).
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- The annual base fee for an online dog license in Fairfield County is $33.00 (this amount reflects an online processing fee of $3.00). If your dog is spayed or neutered, a discount brings the price to $22.50 (this amount reflects an online processing fee of $2.50). Three year and permanent licenses are also available (Click here to view all registration fees).
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How does my dog qualify for a discount license rate?
- Fairfield County offers a Spayed/Neutered discount that reduces the license rate by $10.00 per dog. To qualify, the dog must meet one of the following exceptions:
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- Fairfield County offers a Spayed/Neutered discount that reduces the license rate by $10.00 per dog. To qualify, the dog must meet one of the following exceptions:
- The dog is nine months old or younger (Not eligible for 3 year or permanent tags at the discounted rate)
- The dog is advanced in years, or has a condition that makes it impossible to spay/neuter (vet signature required)
- The dog is being bred, or is intended to be bred for sale or show (breed registry number or vet signature required)
- The dog is intended for hunting purposes (hunting license number or vet signature required)
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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.
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- 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.
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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 to be mailed back to you through the county office for $5.00. You will be unable to process your duplicate dog license application online. You may print a copy of the duplicate request form here. Please mail the completed form along with a check or money order payable to the Fairfield County Auditor for $5.00 to:
- If you or your pet loses a license, you can request a duplicate license to be mailed back to you through the county office for $5.00. You will be unable to process your duplicate dog license application online. You may print a copy of the duplicate request form here. Please mail the completed form along with a check or money order payable to the Fairfield County Auditor for $5.00 to:
Back to topFairfield County Auditor
Dog License Section
210 E. Main St. Rm 201
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
How do I transfer a license to a new owner?
- The ownership of a current dog license can be transferred to another owner for $5.00. 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 will be unable to process your transfer application online. Please contact the Auditor's office for the appropriate form:
- The ownership of a current dog license can be transferred to another owner for $5.00. 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 will be unable to process your transfer application online. Please contact the Auditor's office for the appropriate form:
Back to topFairfield County Auditor
Dog License Section
210 E. Main St. Rm 201
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
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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