Lake County pet licensing

Why license?

In accordance with state and local laws, pet licenses are mandatory in Lake County. In fact, licenses are mandatory in nearly every community across North America. Why? Because licenses help keep pets and the communities they live in safe. DocuPet was brought on board to simplify and improve pet licensing to benefit not only pet owners like you, but the entire community. DocuPet makes it easy for Lake County to deliver a successful pet licensing program with a streamlined software and management solution that makes licensing a breeze for pet owners and administrators alike.

How to license

Online

The fastest and easiest way to license or renew is right here. You'll create a profile for your pet, upload any necessary documents, process your license registration, and receive purchase confirmations via email. Payment can be made using a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card. Each year, you just need to log in to your existing account and renew - it's super easy!

Renew my pet's license

My pet has a license, but it has expired or will very soon.

Renew now

License a pet for the first time

I've never licensed a pet with Lake County before.

License now

In-person

In person licensing is available at the following location(s) however it's important to know you will still receive your tag in the mail:

Don't forget to check hours of operation, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods prior to heading out.

Lake County Auditor’s Office:
105 Main St., Painesville, OH 44077

Lake County Dog Shelter
2600 North Ridge Rd., Painesville, Ohio 44077

Mail

If you opt to license via snail mail - keep in mind processing your registration will take a lot longer!

Make sure you complete the below form in full and that it is free of any errors otherwise your registration may not be successfully processed. The fine print is there for a reason so keep an eye out for accepted payment methods, who the check should be made out to, where it should be mailed, and any required supporting documentation.

Pet license form (English)

Download Application Form

Formulario de licencia para mascotas (Español)

Descargar formulario de solicitud

Phone

If you're unable to complete your pet's license online, you can contact our Customer Care team for assistance. Please note that licenses are primarily designed to be completed online, and phone support is intended for troubleshooting or special circumstances.
We can accept credit cards and Visa/Mastercard debit cards for payment.

DocuPet Customer Care: 1-877-239-6072
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Saturday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM EST (excluding holidays)
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM EST

License fees & details

Pet licenses are required for all dogs living in Lake County. Licenses are available for 1 year, 3 year, and lifetime terms and must be renewed prior to January 31st. You will receive reminders from us about upcoming license expirations via mail, phone, and email.

Dog Licenses
Dog Licenses	DEC 1 - JAN 31	AFTER JAN 31
Dog License (1 Year)	$20.00	$40.00
Dog License (3 Year)	$60.00	$80.00
Permanent Dog License	$200.00	$220.00

Dog License
Dog License	JUL 1 - NOV 30
Puppy License	$10.00
Puppy License (3 Year)	$50.00

A replacement tag is available for a $5.00 fee.
When licensing a Certified Guide or Assistance Dog for the first time, licensing must be done in person.
A late fee of $20 will apply if you fail to license before February 1st.
Licenses are required for all dogs over 3 months of age.
Puppy licenses are available from July 1st to December 1st for puppies aged 3 months and younger.

Frequently asked questions

HELP DESK

Still have a question that you have not been able to answer?

Visit our Help Desk for more information: https://docupetinc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS

I need a kennel license, what do I do?

Please visit the Lake County Auditor's Office in person as kennel licensing is not processed through DocuPet. They are located at 105 Main St., Painesville, OH 44077.

Where can I license in person?

You may license in person at the following locations:

Lake County Auditor’s Office: 105 Main St., Painesville, OH 44077
Lake County Dog Shelter: 2600 North Ridge Rd., Painesville, Ohio 44077

When can I renew my pet's license?

Licenses are available for renewal each year on December 1st. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new license will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

Why does the system say my address is not valid?

You may have entered your address incorrectly or we may not have your address in the address database for your community. Please double-check all spelling and ensure you are using the abbreviated form for your street type ex. St instead of Street. You may contact the Lake County Auditor's Office directly if you believe you reside within their jurisdiction but your address is not being accepted by the system.

When does my pet's license expire?

All licenses expire each year on Janaury 31st, one or three years in the future depending on the license term purchased. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new license will still start on February 1st. Any lifetime/permanent license purchase will have no expiration date.

ACCOUNT UPDATES

How do I notify DocuPet that my pet has passed away?

We're sorry for your loss. You can update a pet's profile via your online account by editing your pet's profile and selecting 'Remove this Pet'.

Does my license transfer if I am moving?

If you are moving, please be sure to update your address by logging into your online account and navigating to your Profile Settings page. Even though you are moving, you’ll still be able to keep your pet's tag and access your pet's online account. However, your current license may not be valid in the new community you are moving to. Please get in touch with the pet licensing provider in the new community you are moving to in order to find out more information.

My pet is no longer with me, but I’m still receiving renewal reminders?

We’re sorry! Unfortunately, unless you update your account to reflect that a pet is no longer in your care, we have no way of knowing. Have you already told us? You may have a duplicate account. Get in touch with your licensing organization or our DocuPet customer service team to update your record.

FEES AND FINES

What is the fee for licensing?

Visit this page for licensing options and fees.

Why am I being charged a late fee?

A $20 late fee will apply if you fail to license before February 1st.

My pet has been designated as a dangerous dog and needs to pay a special rate. What do I do?

Please visit the Lake County Auditor's Office in person if you are qualifying for this rate for the first time. They are located at 105 Main St., Painesville, OH 44077. Once the team there verifies your designation you will be able to renew online in future years.

Is there a discount for licensing multiple pets?

No, there is no discount for licensing multiple pets. Each pet will be charged the appropriate licensing fee.

My pet qualifies for the service animal rate. What do I do?

Please visit Lake County Auditor's Officec in person if you are qualifying for this rate for the first time. Once the team there verifies your designation you will be able to renew online in future years.

What is the processing fee?

For all online orders, a processing fee is applied on license purchases at a rate of 2.65% + $0.25 per transaction.

CITY INFORMATION AND CITY ORDINANCES

Who do I call if there’s an emergency involving dogs? (dog attack, loose dog, etc.)

Please get in touch with the Lake County Dog Shelter at 440-350-2640.

What species are required to be licensed?

The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs

Where can I find information about the pet licensing ordinance/bylaw?

The laws governing dog licensing in the State of Ohio may be found in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), sections 955.01, 955.05, and 955.26.