Frequently Asked Questions

First and foremost it is the law - all dogs older than three months of age must be licensed. No dog shall be harbored, kept, or owned without displaying a valid registration tag. The law applies regardless of whether the dog is kept inside or out. It is also a great identification tag to get your lost dog back to you. There are many cases where a dog gets loose from its owner, and is able to be reunited because of the license.

Yes. All dogs four months old or older must have a current rabies vaccination before a license can be issued. Dogs younger than four months old can be licensed without a rabies vaccination.

Have your veterinarian write a letter on his/her letterhead stating why the rabies shot is not advised and send it along with the application. Please be advised that the due date for the application remains the same.

There are three options to update your dog's status in our records. First, you can login to your account and update the record there. Second, you can complete the No Longer Own Form and submit the information for updating. Third, you can always call us at 614-525-3260 and we would be happy to update the record over the phone.

Complete the standard dog license application and send it with proof of training from any nonprofit or for profit special agency as required by the Ohio Revise Code (955.011). This registration is free and permanent.

Dog licenses must be renewed annually between December 1 and January 31, unless you purchase a three-year or permanent dog license (this is different than a three-year rabies tag).

The base fee for a dog license is $35 annually, with exceptions/discount listed below. After July 1, some fees may be prorated. Dogs that qualify for a prorated license cannot receive a three-year or permanent license until the following year.

For a three-year tag, the price is three times the annual fee. A permanent license is ten times the annual fee. If you are late purchasing the license, the penalty is the annual fee only.

In order to address the overpopulation of dogs in Franklin County, licenses are discounted to $18 annually for dogs that are spayed or neutered. The discount also applies in the following cases:

• The dog is nine months old or younger (only 1 year licenses are allowed, unless a different exception applies).
• The dog is advanced in years, or has a condition that makes it impossible or inadvisable to spay or neuter (veterinarian's signature required).
• The dog is being bred, or is intended to be bred, for sale or show (breed registry number or veterinarian's signature required).
• The dog is intended for hunting purposes (hunting license number or veterinarian's signature required).

If you need a veterinarian's signature to confirm your dog license discount, you will be unable to process your application online. Please complete the printable application, print it out, sign the form, and mail it with applicable fees.

The penalty can be avoided if you purchase the dog license immediately upon acquiring the dog. After the renewal period of December 1 through January 31, a penalty will be assessed for all dogs licensed that are older than three months of age and have been owned for more than 30 days.

Since dog tags are issued annually, you can purchase a tag during the renewal period without penalty. If you have any currently licensed dogs you can log in using any of your dog's license numbers and choose Add Dog to re-enter your missing dog's information. Otherwise choose Create New Account and enter all of your contact info and dog information.

The county commissioners may extend the deadline by county resolution.

When the license renewal deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is extended to the next business day.

The license fees collected, along with all fees collected at the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center, go into a fund. This fund, referred to as the Dog and Kennel Fund, is specifically designed to cover the cost of operating the shelter, as well as for Animal Control to pick up stray dogs and make our streets safer. A portion of the fees also goes to Ohio State University to research animal diseases.

If you or your pet loses a license, you can request a duplicate tag for $5. Please send us a letter with your name, address and license number, if known, so we can send a replacement tag.

The ownership of a current dog license can be transferred to another owner for just $5. 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. Licenses are not transferrable between dogs.

The laws governing dog licensing in the State of Ohio can be found in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), sections 955 and 956. You may also find information on the Franklin County Department of Animal Care and Control website.

If the veterinarian that administered the rabies vaccination is located in either the City of Columbus or the City of Worthington, then you may purchase a replacement rabies tag by contacting Columbus Public Health at (614) 645-6134.

If the veterinarian that administered the rabies vaccination is located outside of the City of Columbus and the City of Worthington, then you may purchase a replacement rabies tag by contacting Franklin County Public Health at (614) 525-3160.

There is no limit to the number of dogs you can legally own within the unincorporated areas of the county. However, if you reside in the incorporated (city limits) areas of the county, you should check with your local city government.

Please complete the Change of Address form, update your address through the online license portal, or call our office.

If you have moved to a new county, we are able to mark our records accordingly. Please note that most counties in Ohio will recognize the tag until it expires. When that license expires (if it is not a permanent tag), you will need to contact the auditor of the county in which you have moved to obtain a new tag.

If you are moving from another county in Ohio, we will honor the license until it is expired. You will need to provide a change of address to the auditor of the county from which you have moved. You can find their contact information from the following link: https://caao.org/ When that license expires, you will need to purchase a new Franklin County license.

If you are moving from another state or country, you are required to purchase a license immediately upon arrival. If you wait more than 30 days, the county auditor is required to charge a penalty equal to the fee.

To help promote responsible pet ownership, the Franklin County Auditor's office created the "Me and My Pal" drawing contest for children from kindergarten to sixth grade.

If you have further questions, or if you need assistance with dog licensing, please e-mail Consumer@franklincountyohio.gov or contact our office at 614-525-3260 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.

When applying for the permit, you will need to provide the auditor with printed copies of the following information:

• Evidence of the dog's current rabies vaccination.
• Evidence of the fact the dog has been spayed or neutered.
• Evidence that the dog has an active microchip and the microchip number.
• Evidence of the fact that you have posted clearly visible "Dangerous Dog" warning signs.
• Evidence of insurance - if ordered by the courts.
• Fee of $50 - Make checks payable to Franklin County Auditor

Please allow three weeks for receipt after ordering your dog’s license online or by phone. If you mail in an application, please remember that it can take up to five business days for our Licensing Division to receive the application. Upon processing the application, we anticipate three weeks for receipt. Should your dog’s license not arrive within three weeks, please call our office at 614-525-3260 and we will mail you a replacement license.