OHIO — It’s that time of year again.

Yes, that’s right, time to purchase your dog licenses from your county auditor’s office. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ensure you renew your dog's registration before the Jan. 31 deadline, per Ohio law

  • Failure to do so will incur fines

  • You can purchase one year, three year or permanent licenses
  • Prices vary by county

You can purchase licenses through Jan. 31. If you miss the deadline, the cost will double.

You can buy one, three and permanent licenses, with prices varying per county.

“Dog licensing is part of responsible pet ownership, and your Auditor’s office is making the licensing process easy and convenient for the county’s dog owners,” Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano said in a press release. “I encourage all dog owners to Protect Your Pal by making sure they are properly licensed.”  

Franklin County

You can purchase your dog license here or by going to the Auditor’s office license counter, located at on the 21st floor at 373 S. High St. in Columbus, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

A release from the county auditor’s office also states they will be having licensing events around the county at future dates.

Costs are as follows:

  • Spayed/neutered, one year - $18
  • Not spayed/neutered, one year - $35
  • Spayed/neutered, three years - $54
  • Not spayed/neutered, three years - $105
  • Spayed/neutered, permanent - $180
  • Not spayed/neutered, permanent - $350

Late fees incur a charge of $18 for spayed/neutered or $35 for non-spayed/neutered dogs.

Cuyahoga County

You can purchase your license online, in person at these locations or via mail.

Costs are as follows (if purchased by deadline):

  • One year - $20
  • Three year - $60
  • Permanent - $200

Late fees incur a charge of $20.

Hamilton County

You can purchase your license online for one year only and with convenience fee, or in person at the Hamilton County Auditor's Office, located at 138 East Court Street, Room 304, in Cincinnati.

The prices are as follows:

  • One year - $19 ($2.25 online fee)
  • Three year - $57
  • Permanent - $190

A penalty of $19 is charged if you miss the deadline.

Lucas County

You can purchase your license online, in person at these locations or via mail.

Costs are as follows:

  • One year - $25
  • Three year - $75
  • Permanent - $250

The Lucas County Auditor’s website states that “failure to register is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $100.00.”

Montgomery County

You can purchase your license online (with a convenience fee), in person at these locations or via mail.

Costs are as follows:

  • Spayed/neutered, one year - $20
  • Not spayed/neutered, one year - $24
  • Spayed/neutered, three years - $60
  • Not spayed/neutered, three years - $72
  • Spayed/neutered, permanent - $200
  • Not spayed/neutered, permanent - $240