License in Person

Licensing Ordinance

All dogs aged six months or older in New Castle County, with the exception of the City of Wilmington, must be licensed with the County by March 1st.

View the complete New Castle County ordinance

Licensing Locations

You may purchase a license at a participating location. Please bring your pet's rabies vaccination certificate and spay/neuter certificate (if applicable) with you.

Delaware Humane Association
701 A St
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-571-8171

Delaware SPCA
Rt.7, Stanton-Christiana Rd
Stanton, DE 19804
302-998-2281

Dogtopia
2101A Concord Pike
Fairfax Shopping Center
Wilmington, DE 19803
302-622-8388

New Castle County Government Center
87 Reads Way
New Castle, DE 19720
302-395-5101

New London Veterinary Center
437 New London Rd
Newark, DE 19711
302-738-5000

Licensing agents may add a reasonable surcharge to each license. If you wish to avoid this surcharge, you may purchase your pet's license by mail.

Required Paperwork

A current rabies vaccination certificate is required if the rabies vaccination on file has expired. Please check your certificate for correct address and pet information. Your pet's rabies vaccination must be current at the time of purchase and should be valid at least through March 1st of the year in which the license expires.
Proof of spay/neuter, such as a signed statement from a veterinarian or an invoice for services is required if the pet has been altered since the last licensing period and you are applying for the lower spayed/neutered license fee.
If applying for a service dog license for a seeing eye, lead or guide dog, please submit proof of successful completion of a service dog training program.
Proof of age, such as a copy of any document listing the owner's name and date of birth, is required if applying for the discounted senior citizen (65+) license. Please feel free to mark out any sensitive information, such as ID numbers, on the copy before submission.
If applying for the discounted disabled pet owner license, please submit a copy of the pet owner's social security award letter OR complete the attached Disability Discount Form. The Disability Discount Form requires a doctor's signature. Letters or prescriptions from a doctor cannot be accepted in lieu of the Disability Discount Form.

Your paperwork will not be returned to you, so please retain a copy of your documents for your records.

License Fees

Licensing Fees	1 Year	2 Years	3 Years
Unaltered Dog	$15.00	$30.00	$45.00
Altered Dog	$10.00	$20.00	$30.00
Sr (65+) or Disabled Owner	$4.00	$5.00	$6.00
Service Dog*	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Replacement Tag	$1.00

* A service dog license is available for a seeing eye, lead or guide dog with proof of training.

Your pet's rabies vaccination must be current at the time of purchase and should be valid at least through March 1st of the year in which the license expires.

The cost for licensing unaltered or fertile pets is higher than for licensing spayed or neutered pets in order to promote sterilization and to reduce pet overpopulation and starvation.

Download License Application (PDF format)

Due Date

All dogs aged six months or older must be licensed prior to March 1st. Unlicensed dogs are subject to a fine after March 1st.