Riverside County Department of Animal Services

Purchasing A Dog License

Riverside County Department of Animal Services offers two options to purchase or renew your pet license.

BUY OR RENEW YOUR PET LICENSE ONLINE

We accept credit cards or debit cards with Visa or Mastercard logo

When licensing online uploaded documents can include various file types such as jpeg, png, pdf, tif, etc. Copies of your rabies certificate which covers the term of licensing, microchip, spay/neuter certificate, and proof of pet owner senior age if applicable, can also be sent via:

Fax: (951) 358-7300

Email: (The system accepts uploads of various file types including: jpeg, png, pdf, tif, etc.) Please make sure to enter your pet’s complete permanent ID number starting with L or U in the subject line. Please do not reply to this email. This is an unmonitored address and replies to this email cannot be responded to or read.

Mail: 6851 Van Buren Blvd Jurupa Valley, CA 92509

By clicking the BUY OR RENEW ONLINE button, I agree to the Terms of Use, Refund and Privacy & Security Policy.

BUY OR RENEW ONLINE

MAIL IN YOUR LICENSE RENEWAL OR INITIAL APPLICATION

Filename
License Application_Spanish_Updated as 20210701-B
License Application_English_Updated as 20210701-B

Complete the application and submit proof or rabies vaccination along with payment.

The expiration date of the license will not exceed the expiration date of the rabies vaccination.
If applying for a spay/neuter license, proof of surgery certificate must be attached unless previously verified by past spay/neuter license purchase.
If applying for senior citizen reduced fee, please send a valid copy of driver’s license with date of birth unless previously verified by past senior citizen license purchase.
To purchase an unaltered dog license, please provide proof of rabies vaccination and microchip.

QUESTIONS ABOUT NOTICES

Why did I receive a notice?

You have received a Renewal Notice for your pet's license. Our records indicate that your pet's license is due and that we have not received your payment. Please ensure that all required documents and payment are submitted within the due date to avoid a late fee.

Dog License Renewal Notification (Email)

Renewal notifications are being sent via email, and you will not receive paper notifications by mail. The email indicates that your pet’s license is due for renewal, and needs be renewed. Please ensure that all required documents and payment are submitted within the due date to
avoid fee. (License Fee).

Late Pet License Renewal Notification (Second Notice)

You have received a past due billing notice for your dog license renewal. Your pet’s license is delinquent if not renewed thirty (30) days after the license expires or if licensing requirements are not submitted 30 days from when the license was due even if you paid on time. A late fee has been applied to the amount due for your license.

Dog License Renewal Notice - 2ND NOTICE (Email)

Renewal notifications are being sent via email, and you will not receive paper notifications by mail. The email indicates you received a past due billing notice for your dog license renewal. Your pet’s license is delinquent if not renewed thirty (30) days after the license expires or if licensing requirements are not submitted 30 days from when the license was due even if you paid on time. A late fee has been applied to the amount due for your license.

Late Pet License Renewal Notification (Final Notice)

Our records indicate your pet is not in compliance with California state law because of missing document(s) or fee(s). To avoid receiving an administrative citation and penalties, please respond on or prior to the date on your Final Notice to Comply that you received. A late fee has been applied to the amount due for your license.

Dog License Renewal Notification - Final Notice (Email)

Renewal notifications are being sent via email, and you will not receive paper notifications by mail. The email indicates your pet is not in compliance with California state law because of missing document(s) or fee(s). To avoid receiving an administrative citation and penalties, please respond on or prior to the date on your Final Notice to Comply that you received. A late fee has been applied to the amount due for your license.

Incomplete (Pending) Pet License Notification (First Notice to Comply)

If we proceeded with the processing of your payment and application or renewal, please review the items listed in the “Missing Licensing Requirements”. The notice is a single sheet of paper requesting the missing item(s). Please return the notice along with the missing item(s) on or before the license due date to avoid additional penalties.

Incomplete (Pending) Pet License Notification (Final Notice to Comply)

State law does not recognize a license to be current and valid based on payment alone. Dog licensing laws require payment and all license requirements be fulfilled at the time that the license is due. You received a past due notice of non-compliance. We cannot proceed with the processing of your payment and application or renewal, because of the items listed in the “Missing Licensing Requirements”. An administrative citation will be issued with additional penalties.

Why am I being billed when I have a current license?

Please email and provide the following information:

Owner Name
Email Address
Reference Number
Comment

QUESTIONS ABOUT CURRENT LICENSES

When will I get my license tag?

The Department of Animal Services issues permanent tags. the metal tag issued at the initial purchase is your pet's permanent license tag. Your pet keeps this tag year after year, keeping down licensing fees. If this is your first purchase of a license and we have received all license requirements and payment within 30 days of your pet’s rabies vaccine or within 30 days of owning a pet, then you should receive a license tag in the mail within 2 weeks for the license.

How do I get a replacement tag?

If your pet’s tag becomes chewed, worn or lost, you can get a replacement tag while renewing your pets license by adding it to your cart in the online process.

Can I transfer a license?

To transfer ownership, consent is needed from both the new owner and the previous owner of the pet. Please complete and return the attached-form. There is a $6 fee to transfer ownership. Please make sure to included copies of identification for both parties.

In addition, the pets license must be current before a Transfer of ownership can be made.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact our licensing department via email .

Can I obtain a refund?

Refunds are only submitted if you’re not in our license jurisdiction and licensing payment is made. Refunds are usually on a case-by-case situation.

How long is this license valid?

Your pet’s license expiration date will depend on how many years you paid for your license and if your rabies vaccine certificate coincides with the time you paid for. The duration of each pet license can be 1-, 2-, or 3-years.

DOG LICENSE FEES

Unincorporated Riverside County, Cathedral City, Eastvale
Type of License	1 Year	2 Year	3 Year	Late Fee *
Altered Dogs	$25	$50	$75	$25
Unaltered Dogs	$120	$240	$360	$25
Altered Dog, owned by Senior Citizen 60+	$12	$24	$36	$15
Make checks and/or money orders payable to: County of Riverside

Coachella, Jurupa Valley, La Quinta
Type of License	1 Year	2 Year	3 Year	Late Fee *
Altered Dogs	$17	$34	$49	$25
Unaltered Dogs	$100	$200	$300	$25
Altered Dog, owned by Senior Citizen 60+	$12	$24	$36	$15
Make checks and/or money orders payable to: County of Riverside

Indian Wells
Type of License	1 Year	2 Year	3 Year	Late Fee *
Altered Dogs	$21	$38	$53	$20
Unaltered Dogs	$104	$204	$304	$20
Altered Dog, owned by Senior Citizen 60+	$16	$28	$40	$15
Make checks and/or money orders payable to: County of Riverside

City of Riverside
Type of License	1 Year	2 Year	3 Year	Late Fee *
Altered Dogs	$16	$25	$35	$25
Unaltered Dogs	$100	$175	$250	$25
Altered Dog, owned by Senior Citizen 60+	$10	$15	$20	$15
Make checks and/or money orders payable to: County of Riverside

Cities of Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage Residents
Type of License	1 Year	2 Year	3 Year	Late Fee *
Altered Dogs	$8	$15	$19	$20
Unaltered Dogs	$50	$100	$150	$20
Altered Dog, owned by Senior Citizen 60+	$6	$7	$8	$15
Make checks and/or money orders payable to: County of Riverside

City of Indio
Type of License	1 Year	2 Year	3 Year	Late Fee *
Altered Dogs	$17	$26	$36	$25
Unaltered Dogs	$100	$175	$225	$25
Altered Dog, owned by Senior Citizen 60+	$10	$15	$20	$15
Make checks and/or money orders payable to: County of Riverside

Additional Fees
Transfer of Ownership	$6
Dangerous Animal registration - 1 year	$250
Dog License replacement tag	$6

* Late fee is applied for each year license is delinquent

For all other cities, contact your local Animal Control office for fees.

The licensing of dogs is required by State law and County Ordinance. Dog licensing is an integral component of the statewide rabies control effort. All dogs are required to be licensed at the age of four months and provide proof of a rabies vaccination that covers the term of the license. An additional requirement is for licensed dogs to display the license tag at all times and to be microchipped. Dogs wearing current tags are held at animal shelters at least ten days so their owners can reclaim them. The Department of Animal Services personnel use the dog license, microchip, and any other owner information to contact the owners of lost animals. Any dog found not to be rabies vaccinated, licensed, or microchipped, will be cited for a spay or neuter violation in accordance with Riverside County Ordinance 6..08.120, Mandatory Spay/Neuter. In addition, in compliance with Ordinance 921, any Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Stafford Terrier breed of dog, or any mixed breed of dog which contains, as an element of its breeding, any of these breeds so as to be identifiable as partially of one or more of these breeds will require a proof of spay or neuter certificate as a prerequisite of renewing your pet's license.

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Dog Licensing