Riverside County has partnered with DocuPet to provide an enhanced pet licensing experience for residents. Your pet’s license now includes DocuPet’s free HomeSafe™ 24/7 lost pet service and designer license tags with personalization options. Additionally, 20% of every designer tag purchase is donated to Riverside County Department of Animal Services through DocuPet’s Safe&Happy Fund.
When you register your pet in Riverside County, you will receive a unique license tag to attach to their collar. Our new licensing process with DocuPet allows residents to select a standard license tag at no additional charge or upgrade to one of DocuPet’s colorful designer tag styles for an additional fee.
Each DocuPet tag, standard or designer, doubles as a pet’s official Riverside County license and comes equipped with the HomeSafe™ 24/7 lost pet service, which relies on a dedicated full time dispatch staff and linked pet profiles to help get lost pets home quickly.
Purchasing A Dog License
In Riverside County, all dogs are required to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. The expiration date of the license will not exceed the expiration date of the rabies vaccination. To complete the licensing process, you will need a copy your pet’s current rabies vaccination certificate.
LICENSE ONLINE
Dog licenses can easily be purchased online at riversidecounty.docupet.com.
LICENSE BY MAIL
To license by mail, simply mail a copy of your pet's current rabies certificate and any other applicable documentation, along with your check payable to:
DocuPet
15 Technology Place, Suite 1
East Syracuse, NY 13057
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.
Benefits of Licensing
Licensing your pet not only displays responsible pet ownership but it also helps fund local animal welfare initiatives in your community. In addition to your pet’s license, here are some benefits of your DocuPet online profile:
- Hundreds of unique and colorful designer tag styles to choose from or design your own tag style online
- With full access to HomeSafe™ 24/7 lost pet service, upload recent photos of your pet and include important information that will help identify and retrieve them if they become lost
- Gain access to exclusive promotions and discounts
- Add additional pet guardians to your pet's profile
- Skip the trip and easily purchase or renew your pet's license from the comfort of home
- Upload important new documents for your pet by snapping a photo
- Make an optional donation to Riverside County Department of Animal Services via DocuPet’s Safe&Happy Fund and help support local animals in need
- Easily view and download your pet’s license documentation
- Read up on exclusive pet-focused content
- Manage, or make changes to your account at anytime including updating your contact information and making changes to pet details and status
- View your order status and history
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Incomplete (Pending) Pet License Notification (Final Notice to Comply)
Please email [email protected] and provide the following information:
- Owner Name
- Email Address
- Reference Number
- Comment
QUESTIONS ABOUT CURRENT LICENSES
When will I get my license tag?
When you register your pet with Riverside County, you will receive a unique license ID tag to attach to their collar. Our licensing process with DocuPet allows residents to select a standard license tag at no additional charge or upgrade to one of DocuPet’s colorful designer tag styles for $19.99.
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 aluminum tag for $6.00 by visiting riversidecounty.docupet.com.
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 [email protected].
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, Calimesa, Cathedral City, Eastvale, Hemet City |
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| 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 |
Coachella, Jurupa Valley, La Quinta |
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| 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 |
Indian Wells |
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| 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 |
City of Riverside |
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| 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 |
Cities of Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage Residents |
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| 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 |
City of Indio |
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| 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 |
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.