Why License?
In accordance with state and local laws, pet licenses are mandatory in the areas that San Bernardino County Animal Care serves. 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 the San Bernardino County Animal Care 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.
Check out the ways you can license your pet below and feel good knowing that San Bernardino County Animal Care's Animals aRe First Fund to support important animal welfare initiatives helping to improve your community.
What will you need?
Licensing your pet will require specific information and proof. Having these items at the ready allows for the fastest experience. You have the option to upload a document as a saved or scanned file, or you may take a photo directly from your device on our upload page.
Payment
We securely process payment online and accept all major credit and debit cards as forms of payment.
Documents
Spay/neuter certificate
This document is required to qualify for the discounted rate and is only needed once and will be saved to your pet’s profile upon upload for future renewals. This proof declaring that your pet has been spayed or neutered may be in the form of a statement or receipt from the veterinarian, shelter, or clinic that performed the procedure.
Rabies vaccination proof
This document serves as formal proof that your pet has received a California-approved rabies vaccination. This document may be in the form of a Rabies Vaccination Certificate that has been signed by a veterinarian or certified professional. It is the law that pets must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, so new documents will need to be uploaded to your pets profile as they receive their booster shots.
San Bernardino County Details & Fees
Pet licenses are required for all dogs living in San Bernardino County. They must be renewed every year prior to the expiration date. Licenses expire exactly 365 days from the start date of the license. You will receive reminders from us about upcoming license expirations via mail, phone, and email.
| Dog Licenses | 1 Year Fee |
|---|---|
| Altered Dog | $36.00 |
| Unaltered Dog | $120.00 |
| Senior - Altered Dog | $24.00 |
| *Disability or Veteran - Altered Dog | $24.00 |
| *Medically Unable to Alter | $30.00 |
| Altered Dog | |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Fee | $36.00 |
| Unaltered Dog | |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Fee | $120.00 |
| Senior Altered Dog | |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Fee | $24.00 |
| *Disability or Veteran - Altered Dog | |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Fee | $24.00 |
| *Medically Unable to Alter | |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Fee | $30.00 |
| Service Dog Licenses | Fee |
|---|---|
| Service Dog | $0.00 |
| Service Dog Licenses | |
|---|---|
| Fee | $0.00 |
A replacement San Bernardino County tag is available for a $5 fee or at no additional charge when you license your pet.
A valid rabies certificate is required to complete the licensing process. You must upload or present your certificates at time of purchase.
All licenses expire the day they were purchased, 1 year in the future depending on the term of the license purchased, so long as the rabies vaccination remains valid for the duration of the chosen license. If your pet’s rabies vaccination expires prior to the selected license term, the license will expire on the rabies vaccination expiration date.
A spay/neuter certificate is required to qualify for the discounted rate.
*For citizens that qualify for the disability or veteran rate, the dog must be altered. Licensing must be done for the first time in person with the appropriate documentation. Future renewals may be done online once the status is verified.
*When licensing a dog that is medically unable to be altered for the first time, licensing must be done in person with the appropriate documentation completed. Future renewals may be done online once the status is verified.
When licensing a Certified Guide or Assistance Dog for the first time, licensing must be done in person. Future renewals may be done online once the status is verified.
A fine may be charged for failing to comply. In a 12 month period, 1st offense $100, 2nd offense $200, 3rd offense $500. Starts over after a 12 month period.
A late fee of $25 will apply 30 days following license expiration.
Pet owners must be 65 or older with an altered dog to qualify for senior citizen rates.
Licenses are required for all dogs over 4 months of age.
Frequently Asked Questions
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HELP DESK
Visit our Help Desk for more information: https://docupetinc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us
PROGRAM AND PARTNERSHIP
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 San Bernardino County Animal Care directly if you believe you reside within their jurisdiction but your address is not being accepted by the system.
LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS
As per California State law, a pet license may not be valid at anytime a pet's rabies vaccination is expired.
Licenses are required to be renewed prior to the expiration date each year.
Please ensure you have all the required documentation in order to licence your pet. If you have all the records you need to proceed you can license your pet online, or in person at San Bernardino County Animal Care located at 351 N. Mountain View Avenue, 1st Floor San Bernardino, CA.
If this is your first time licensing a pet with San Bernardino County Animal Care, click here [LINK] to learn more.
If you already have an account with us or have ever licensed a pet with San Bernardino County Animal Care click here [LINK] to learn more.
You may renew your pet's license within 60 days of your pet's current license expiration date. 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.
San Bernardino County Animal Care provides licensing services for the following areas: Unincorporated San Bernardino County, Big Bear Lake, and Yucaipa
Refunds may be granted for a license if a pet passes 30 days of the license purchase.
Please visit San Bernardino County Animal Care in person as kennel licensing is not processed through DocuPet. They are located at 351 N. Mountain View Avenue, 1st Floor San Bernardino, CA.
Please ensure you have all the required documentation in order to licence your pet. If you have all the records you need to proceed you can license your pet online, or in person at San Bernardino County Animal Care located at 351 N. Mountain View Avenue, 1st Floor San Bernardino, CA.
If this is your first time licensing a pet with San Bernardino County Animal Care, click here to learn more.
If you already have an account with us or have ever licensed a pet with San Bernardino County Animal Care click here to learn more.
All pets over the age of 4 months are required to be licensed.
Temporary licenses expire after 60 days. To convert a temporary license into a full license you must provide new proof of rabies expiration prior to the temporary license expiration date. If the rabies expiration date extends beyond the original term selected, your pet's license may be extended to the full term originally selected. If the newly provided rabies expiration date falls prior to the term end, the new license expiration date will be the same as the rabies vaccination expiration date.
Licenses expire at the end of the license term selected unless your pet's current rabies vaccination expiration date falls prior to the end of the term. A license cannot be valid at any time if a pet's rabies is expired. 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.
License transfers may be granted in certain cases. Please visit San Bernardino County Animal Care in person to learn more.
FEES AND FINES
Visit this page for licensing options and fees: Fees
Those aged 65 and older may qualify for a senior citizen rate. Your pet must be spayed/neutered to receive the senior rate.
Please visit San Bernardino County Animal Care in person if you are qualifying for this rate for the first time. They are located at 351 N. Mountain View Avenue, 1st Floor San Bernardino, CA. Once the team there verifies your designation you will be able to renew online in future years.
The fine for failing to license a pet is 1st offense $100, 2nd offense $200, 3rd offense $500. Starts over after a 12 month period.
For all online orders, a processing fee is applied on license purchases at a rate of 2.65% + $0.25 per transaction.
Please visit San Bernardino County Animal Care 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.
Visit this page for licensing options and fees: Fees
Late fees come into effect if a license is not renewed within 30 days of the original expiration date.
If your community requires proof of spay/neuter for your pet in order to receive a discounted licensing rate, you will need to upload the appropriate documentation stating that your pet has been spayed/neutered to your online account. Once the documentation has been approved by San Bernardino County Animal Care, you will be eligible to receive the new discounted rate. Otherwise, you can visit San Bernardino County Animal Care in person at 351 N. Mountain View Avenue, 1st Floor San Bernardino, CA and show proof of spay/neuter there.
Please get in touch with San Bernardino County Animal Care by calling (800) 472-5609 to find out more.
TAGS
Please visit in person at San Bernardino County Animal Care located at 351 N. Mountain View Avenue, 1st Floor San Bernardino, CA and they will be able to assist you.
ACCOUNT UPDATES
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.
CITY INFORMATION AND CITY ORDINANCES
Visit this page for information on licensing ordinances/bylaws: County Bylaw
The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs
Please get in touch with San Bernardino County Animal Care at (800) 472-5609.
DOCUMENT SUBMISSION
A rabies proof is required to prove that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies. A rabies proof identifying your pet as spayed/neutered or a spay/neuter proof may be accepted as documentation of sterilization.
A valid rabies proof is required to purchase a pet license. A 60 day temporary license may be issued if you do not have rabies proof at the time of licensing. Proof of spay/neuter is required to receive the discounted altered rates.
You will need to complete the required paperwork and visit San Bernardino County Animal Care in person to qualify for rabies exemption.
Documentation uploaded via the online system is typically reviewed within two to three business days.
To license your pet, you will be required to show proof that the pet's rabies vaccination is current. Documentation is also required to verify that a pet has been spayed or neutered and must be provided in order to receive the discounted rate. Requiring documentation ensures that provided pet information is accurate, which is critical for identification and safety reasons.
If you can’t locate the document you received after the procedure was done, you will need to contact your vet to obtain your pet's records. Be sure to specify any and all pets you require documentation for.
Once you’ve got the paperwork in your hands, take a look to ensure:
- The document provided is the right type of proof required.
- Pet and pet owner account data matches your own.
- The document is clear and legible.
You will need to visit San Bernardino County Animal Care in person to qualify for the spay/neuter exemption.