License By Mail

Licensing Ordinance

All dogs must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed by the age of 4 months or within 60 days of acquiring the animal.

All cats residing in the cities of Belmont, Brisbane, Hillsborough, Millbrae, Redwood City and San Mateo City and all unincorporated areas of the county must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed by the age of 4 months or within 60 days of acquiring the animal. Cats residing in East Palo Alto and Half Moon Bay must have a current vaccine. Cats in all other areas of the County are not required to be licensed at this time, however, it is a highly recommended form of identification for both dogs and cats.

View the complete San Mateo County ordinance

Mailing Address

Please mail all required paperwork, along with your check or money order payable to "San Mateo County Animal Licensing" to the address below. Please do not send cash.

San Mateo County Animal Licensing
c/o PetData
PO Box 141929
Irving, TX 75014-1929

Download License Application (PDF format)

Required Paperwork

1. A current rabies vaccination certificate is required if the rabies vaccination on file has expired. Please check your certificate to make sure that your address is correct and your pet’s description is correct and complete. A primary breed should always be included, even if the animal is a mixed breed.
2. 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.
3. Proof of age, such as a copy of any document listing the owner’s name and date of birth. Please feel free to mark out any sensitive information, such as ID numbers, on the copy before submission.

Note: Please send legible copies of your paperwork and maintain a copy for your records.

License Fees

License Fees Effective 10/1/12

Dog/Wolf Hybrid License Fees	1-Year		3-Year
Unaltered Dog	$50.00		$145.00
Spayed/Neutered Dog	$20.00		$55.00
Senior Discount (60+)	1-Year		3-Year
Unaltered Dog	$18.00		$54.00
Spayed/Neutered Dog	$9.00		$23.00
Other Fees
Late Fee (30 days past lic. expire)	$20.00
Replacement Tag	$8.00
A license is required for all dogs and wolf hybrids in the County.

Cat License Fees	1-Year		3-Year
Unaltered Cat	$15.00		$45.00
Spayed/Neutered Cat	$7.00		$17.50
Senior Discount (60+)	1-Year		3-Year
Unaltered Cat	$7.00		$21.00
Spayed/Neutered Cat	$5.00		$11.25
Other Fees
Late Fee (30 days past lic. expire)	$7.00
Replacement Tag	$5.00
A cat license is required in the cities of Belmont, Brisbane, Hillsborough, Millbrae, Redwood City and San Mateo and the unincorporated areas of the County, and is highly recommended in all other cities.

In an effort to reduce pet overpopulation and starvation, licensing unaltered pets is higher.  In addition, the County includes a $1 surcharge in all licensing fees.  This surcharge is placed in the Animal Population Trust Fund used to assist pet owners with their pet’s sterilization fees.

Download License Application (PDF format)

Due Date

Your license is due on the first of the month in which your license expires. There is a grace period of 30 days in which to make payment for your pet’s license.

By ordinance, a late fee is added if payment is not made within 30 days of the due date.