Lost Tag Replacement — Quick Reference
Why the Tag Matters Even If the License Is Current
A valid dog license is a database record — your dog's information linked to your contact details. But the physical tag is what allows that database record to be accessed instantly in the field. When an Animal Control officer or a neighbor finds your dog, the tag number is how they look up your contact information without any delay.
Without the tag, even a currently licensed dog is effectively "anonymous" to anyone who finds it. The dog may go to the shelter and sit for the mandatory hold period (3–5 days in most states) before you even find out — because there's no tag to trace the call back to you. Getting a replacement tag is important not as a legal formality but as a practical safeguard for your dog's quick return if lost.
Ohio: $5 Replacement Tag at the County Auditor
In all Ohio counties covered on this site, a replacement tag costs $5. You will need your dog's current license number to obtain a replacement — this is the number on your original tag or on the renewal notice you received from the county. If you don't have it, call the county auditor's office and provide your name and address; they can look up the license number in their database.
How to Get a Replacement in Ohio
- In person: Visit the county auditor's office with your license number and $5. Many auditors can issue a replacement on the spot.
- By phone: Some Ohio county auditors can process a replacement by phone and mail the tag. Call your county auditor to ask whether phone processing is available.
- Online: Counties using DocuPet (Clermont, Lake, and others) allow replacement tag requests through the DocuPet portal. Log into your account and look for the "replacement tag" option.
- By mail: Send a written request with the license number, your name and address, and a $5 check payable to the county auditor. Processing time is typically 5–10 business days.
Note: Ohio replacement tags are issued for the current license year only. If your license expires December 31 and you lose the tag in November, it may make more sense to simply wait for the January renewal and get a new tag with the new license, rather than paying $5 for a replacement that expires in 6 weeks.
Pennsylvania: Contact Your County Treasurer
Pennsylvania replacement tag fees vary by county — typically $2 to $5. Contact your county treasurer's office directly with your dog's license number. Most Pennsylvania counties process replacements by mail; some can handle phone requests. The statewide licensing portal (licenseyourdogpa.pa.gov) does not currently offer a direct replacement tag request function — you go to your county.
If you've lost both the tag and your license paperwork, your county treasurer can look up your license by name and address. Provide your full name, current address, and an approximate year when you last licensed your dog — the database search will locate your record.
Michigan: Contact Your County Treasurer or DocuPet
For Michigan counties using DocuPet (including Oakland County), replacement tags can be requested through your DocuPet account online. For counties not using DocuPet, contact your county treasurer directly. Replacement fees typically run $2–$5. Oakland County's DocuPet system allows you to order a replacement from the pet profile page in your account — the new tag is mailed, typically within 7–10 business days.
Virginia: Contact Your Locality
Virginia localities vary in their replacement tag process. In Fairfax County, contact the Department of Tax Administration at (703) 222-8234. In Loudoun County, contact Animal Services at (703) 777-0406. Most Virginia localities charge $5 for a replacement and can process requests by phone or in person. Mailed requests are generally accepted with a check for the replacement fee and a note including your dog's license number or your name and address.
What to Do While Waiting for the Replacement
While the replacement tag is being processed, your dog is technically wearing no visible license proof — even though the license is current. Carry a copy of your license paperwork or most recent renewal notice when walking your dog. If an officer asks about the license, showing the paperwork confirms the license is current. Explain that you've ordered a replacement tag and can provide the license number.
Most Animal Control officers and dog wardens treat this situation reasonably for cooperative owners — they can verify your license in their database by name and address. What you want to avoid is having no record at all, which is why reporting a lost tag and ordering a replacement promptly is important.