In accordance with state and local laws, pet licenses are mandatory in Contra Costa County. 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 Contra Costa 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.
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.
We securely process payment online and accept all major credit and debit cards as forms of payment.
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.
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.
If your pet is exempt from a rabies vaccination please visit https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/10248/Rabies-Vaccine-Exemption for more information.
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. Each year, you just need to log in to your existing account and renew - it's super easy!
I've never licensed a pet with Contra Costa Animal Services before.
In person licensing is available at the following location(s) however it's important to know you will still receive your tag in the mail:
Don't forget to check hours of operation, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods prior to heading out.
Contra Costa Animal Services
4800 Imhoff Place, Martinez, CA 94553
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – 10:00 am to 5:00pm
Wednesday – 10:00 am to 7:00pm
Thursday – 10:00 am to 5:00pm
Friday – 10:00 am to 5:00pm
Saturday – 10:00 am to 5:00pm
Sunday – Closed
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.
*If you wish to qualify for the senior or veteran/military rate all license purchases must be completed online or in person.
*Si desea calificar para la tarifa para personas mayores o para veteranos/militares, todas las compras de licencias deben completarse en línea o en persona.
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 6:00 am and 6:00 pm PDT and Sunday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm PDT
Pet licenses are required for all dogs living in Contra Costa County. Cat licensing remains voluntary at this time. Licenses are available for 3-12 month and 12-36 month 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 | 3-12 Months | 12-36 Months |
|---|---|---|
| Altered Dog | $25.00 | $60.00 |
| Unaltered Dog | $65.00 | $180.00 |
| Senior First Pet: Altered Dog | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Senior Additional Pet: Altered Dog | $12.50 | $30.00 |
| Military/Veteran First Pet: Altered Dog | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Military/Veteran Additional Pet: Altered Dog | $12.50 | $30.00 |
| Cat Licenses (Voluntary) | 3-12 Months | 12-36 Months |
|---|---|---|
| Altered Cat | $25.00 | $60.00 |
| Unaltered Cat | $65.00 | $180.00 |
| Senior First Pet: Altered Cat | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Senior Additional Pet: Altered Cat | $12.50 | $30.00 |
| Military/Veteran First Pet: Altered Cat | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Military/Veteran Additional Pet: Altered Cat | $12.50 | $30.00 |
| Altered Dog | |
|---|---|
| 3-12 Months | $25.00 |
| 12-36 Months | $60.00 |
| Unaltered Dog | |
|---|---|
| 3-12 Months | $65.00 |
| 12-36 Months | $180.00 |
| Senior First Pet: Altered Dog | |
|---|---|
| 3-12 Months | $0.00 |
| 12-36 Months | $0.00 |
| Senior Additional Pet: Altered Dog | |
|---|---|
| 3-12 Months | $12.00 |
| 12-36 Months | $30.00 |
| Altered Cat (Voluntary) | |
|---|---|
| 3-12 Months | $25.00 |
| 12-36 Months | $60.00 |
| Unaltered Cat (Voluntary) | |
|---|---|
| 3-12 Months | $65.00 |
| 12-36 Months | $180.00 |
| Military/Veteran First Pet: Altered Cat (Voluntary) | |
|---|---|
| 3-12 Months | $0.00 |
| 12-36 Months | $0.00 |
| Military/Veteran Additional Pet: Altered Cat (Voluntary) | |
|---|---|
| 3-12 Months | $12.00 |
| 12-36 Months | $30.00 |
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 DocuPet or Contra Costa Animal Services directly if you believe you reside within their jurisdiction but your address is not being accepted by the system.
Visit our Help Desk for more information: https://docupetinc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us
No refunds are provided on licenses purchased regardless of circumstances.
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 30 days. To convert a temporary license into a full license you must provide new proof of rabies vaccination prior to the temporary license expiration date. 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.
As per California State law, a pet license may not be valid at anytime a pet's rabies vaccination is expired.
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.
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 or contact Contra Costa Animal Services. They are located at 4800 Imhoff Pl, Martinez CA, 94553.
For all online orders, a processing fee is applied on license purchases at a rate of 2.65% + $0.25 per transaction.
Please visit Contra Costa Animal Services 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.
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, you will be eligible to receive the new discounted rate. Otherwise, you can visit Contra Costa Animal Services in person at 4800 Imhoff Pl, Martinez CA, 94553 and show proof of spay/neuter there.
DocuPet has uploaded from 3-5 worth of historic licensing data
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.
Visit this page for information on licensing ordinances/bylaws: Code
The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs are mandatory and cats are voluntary.
Please get in touch with Contra Costa Animal Services at 925-608-8400.
Documentation uploaded via the online system is reviewed within two to three business days.
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 Contra Costa Animal Services in person to qualify for rabies exemption.
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.
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:
You will need to complete the required paperwork and visit Contra Costa Animal Services in person to qualify for the spay/neuter exemption.
