All dogs four months of age or older must be licensed. Licenses are due by January 31, and licenses are good for the calendar year in which they are issued and expire on December 31st. 

Starting October 2022, Fairfax County is partnering with PetData,Inc. to provide dog licensing services for the county.  PetData will handle everything from mailing animal licensing notices, processing payments and entering data, answering phone calls from dog owners to online dog licensing.

For all licensing questions, contact PetData directly at: www.petdata.com/fairfax or by phone at 1 (888) 556-2906.

Taxpayers who have purchased license tags in the prior years will automatically receive a yearly renewal application form in the mail during the month of November. 

The 2024 dog licenses are available for renewal starting November 1. Due to delays, the 2024 dog tags will be mailed no later than February 16. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 

License Fee:

All dog license tags are $10. License tags are issued free of charge for service dogs that assist residents who are visually impaired, deaf, or need mobility assistance. Mailed check payments continue to be free. PetData charges a $2 service for credit or debit card payments. 

To License Your Dog Online:

• Go to www.petdata.com/fairfax and under License Now, click “Online.”

To License Your Dog By Mail:

• Download an application from www.petdata.com/fairfax and mail it with a copy of your dog’s current rabies vaccination certificate and your check or money order payable to Fairfax County (please do not send cash) to: 
  
  Fairfax County, c/o PetData
  PO Box 141929
  Irving TX75014-1929
  
  NOTE: Paperwork will not be returned.

To License Your Dog In Person:

• Bring a completed copy of the Dog License Application and a current certificate of rabies vaccination.
• Make check payable to the "County of Fairfax."
• Visit one of the following locations:
  • The Department of Tax Administration at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 223, Fairfax walk-in traffic Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or
  • The Animal Shelter at 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax 
  • The Lorton Campus at 8875 Lorton Road, Lorton
  • Shelters are open on the following days/time: 
    • NOTE: Before your visit, please check the Animal Shelter and/or Lorton Campus website, as hours of operations may be subject to change.
    • Tuesday, Wednesday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • Thursday, Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
    • Saturday, Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

For common dog license questions:

• Go to www.petdata.com/fairfax