Why License

In accordance with state and local laws, pet licenses are mandatory in the State of Delaware.

DocuPet makes it easy for Delaware Animal Services 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.

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.

Rabies vaccination proof

This document serves as formal proof that your pet has received a rabies vaccination. This document must be in the form of a Rabies Vaccination Certificate that has been signed by a veterinarian. 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 pet’s profile as they receive their booster shots.

How to License

The fastest and easiest way to license or renew is right here. You’ll create a profile for your pet, upload any necessary documents, process your license registration, and receive purchase confirmations via email. Payment can be made using a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card. An administrative fee of 2.65% plus $0.25 will apply for licenses purchased online or via phone. Each year, you just need to log in to your existing account and renew - it’s super easy!

Renew my pet’s license

My pet has a license, but it has expired or will very soon.

Renew now

License a pet for the first time

I've never licensed a pet with the State of Delaware before.

License now

If you opt to license via snail mail - keep in mind processing your registration will take a lot longer!

Make sure you complete the below form in full and that it is free of any errors otherwise your registration may not be successfully processed. The fine print is there for a reason so keep an eye out for accepted payment methods, who the check should be made out to, where it should be mailed, and any required supporting documentation.

Pet license form (English)

Download Application Form

Formulario de licencia para mascotas (Español)

Descargar formulario de solicitude

If you’re having trouble licensing online and need to get your registration processed in a hurry, you can contact our customer care team and they may be able to process your pet license over the phone. Note that you must have up to date spay/neuter or rabies documents on file and we can only accept credit cards and Visa/Mastercard debit as payment.

DocuPet Customer Care: 1-877-239-6072
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday (excluding holidays) between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm EDT and Sunday between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm EDT

License Fees & Details

Pet licenses are required for all dogs living in the State of Delaware. Licenses are available for 1 and 2 year terms and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. You will receive reminders from us about upcoming license expirations via mail, phone, and email.

Dog Licenses 1 Year Fee 2 Year Fee
Spayed/Neutered Dog $10.00 $20.00
Unaltered Dog $15.00 $30.00
Senior Rate (65+): Spayed/Neutered Dog $7.00 $14.00
Spayed/Neutered Dog
1 Year Fee $10.00
2 Year Fee $20.00
Unaltered Dog
1 Year Fee $15.00
2 Year Fee $30.00
Senior Rate (65+): Spayed/Neutered Dog
1 Year Fee $7.00
2 Year Fee $14.00
  • A replacement tag is available for a $5.00 fee.
  • A valid rabies certificate or an official State Certificate of Medical Exemption  is required to complete the licensing process. You must upload or present your certificates at time of purchase.
  • Pet owners can only purchase a 2 year license if their pet's rabies vaccination is valid for 13 months or longer from the date of purchase.
  • All licenses are valid for 1 or 2 years from the license start date, depending on the term of the license purchased.
  • A late fee of $7.00 applies 30 days following license expiration.
  • Pet owners must be 65+ or older with an altered (spayed/neutered) pet to qualify for senior citizen rates.
  • Licenses are required for all dogs over 6 months of age.
  • Fee waived for seeing eye, guide or lead dogs, or dogs who have former US Military service.

Frequently Asked Questions

HELP DESK

Visit our Help Desk for more information: https://docupetinc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS

All pets over the age of 6 months are required to be licensed.

Licenses will be valid for 1 or 2 years from the license start date. For a 1-year license, your pet's rabies vaccination must be current at the time of purchase. For a 2-year license, there must be more than 1 year remaining on the rabies vaccination as of the purchase date. Pets with a State Certificate of Medical Exemption from Rabies Vaccination may purchase a 1-year license only. 

Licenses are required to be renewed prior to the expiration date each year.

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.

Temporary licenses expire after 45 days. To convert a temporary license into a full license you must provide 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.

FEES AND FINES

For all online orders, a processing fee is applied on license purchases at a rate of 2.65% + $0.25 per transaction.

Late fees come into effect if a license is not renewed within 30 days of the original expiration date.

Per Delaware law, the fee is waived for seeing eye, guide or lead dogs, or dogs who have former US Military service. You will need to contact Delaware Animal Services to see if you qualify at delawareanimalservies@delaware.gov. 

Those aged 65 and older may qualify for a senior citizen rate. Your pet must be spayed/neutered to receive the senior rate.

Refunds will be issued if a pet passes away 30 days from the license purchase or if a duplicate payment was made for the same pet. Please contact DocuPet at info@docupet.com to request the refund. 

TAGS

No, each pet will only receive one free tag with their first license via DocuPet. This tag doesn’t expire. If you’ve already received a DocuPet tag, your furry friend is good to go! If you’d like a new tag, you can purchase a standard replacement tag or a new designer tag during the license order process or in our store.

ACCOUNT UPDATES

We're sorry for your loss. You can update a pet's profile via your online account by editing your pet's profile and selecting 'Remove this Pet'.

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.

The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs

DOCUMENT SUBMISSION

For more information on the State Certificate of Medical Exemption from Rabies Vaccination, click here. Certificates can only be authorized by a licensed veterinarian. 

If your dog has a valid State Certificate of Medical Exemption from Rabies Vaccination, you may provide that certificate to DocuPet in lieu of the Rabies Certificate. 

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.

Yes! A temporary license can be issued while you gather your documents. Just follow one of the licensing methods listed above to get started. Please note that proof must be submitted before the temporary license expires, otherwise a new license will need to be purchased.

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.

Documentation uploaded via the online system is reviewed within two to three business days.

A valid rabies proof is required to purchase a pet license. A 45-day temporary license may be issued if you do not have a rabies certificate at the time of licensing. Proof of spay/neuter is required to receive the discounted altered rates.

Spay/nueter exempt pets will need to pay the intact license rates.