Berks County dog license: cost and how to get one
What a Berks County dog license costs, who needs one, the January 1 deadline, and how to buy it online, by mail, or in person.
A one-year dog license in Berks County costs $10.80, or $8.80 if the owner is 65 or older or has a disability. You buy it from the Berks County Treasurer, online at padoglicense.com, by mail, or in person at the courthouse.
Pennsylvania law requires a license for every dog three months or older, and Berks issues them through the Treasurer's office. The fee is small, the process takes a few minutes, and the tag helps get your dog home if it gets lost. Skipping it can cost up to $500.
Who needs a license and when
Every dog in Pennsylvania must be licensed once it reaches three months of age. If you buy or adopt a dog that is already eight weeks old, license it at that point rather than waiting.
An annual license runs for the calendar year and expires December 31. You renew for the next year by January 1. A lifetime license does not expire and never needs renewing, but it has an extra requirement covered below.
What it costs
The state sets the fees, so they are the same in every county. Berks charges:
| License | Regular | Age 65+ or disabled |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | $10.80 | $8.80 |
| Lifetime | $52.80 | $36.80 |
The discounted rate is for owners who are at least 65 or who have a disability. There is no separate fee for a spayed or neutered dog; the price is the same either way.
How to buy one
You have three options. The license fee is identical through all of them.
- Online. Go to padoglicense.com and select Berks County. This is the fastest way and covers annual and senior licenses. The online system may add a small service charge, so paying the Treasurer directly avoids it.
- By mail. Send your payment to Berks County Treasurer, 633 Court St., Reading, PA 19601. Make the check or money order payable to Berks County Treasurer. The office mails the license and tag back to you.
- In person. Visit the Treasurer's office at 633 Court Street in Reading, or use one of the authorized issuing agents listed on the county's dog license page. Call 610-478-6640 to confirm current window hours before you go.
Lifetime licenses
A lifetime license costs more up front but never has to be renewed, which saves money over a dog's life. It has two conditions:
- The dog must have permanent identification, meaning a microchip.
- You must file a completed Lifetime License Application and Permanent Verification of Identification form with the Treasurer.
Lifetime licenses can be issued only by the County Treasurer's office, not through the online system. Bring or mail the form along with your payment.
The deadline and the penalty
Annual licenses for the new year go on sale each December, and every dog without a lifetime license must be licensed by January 1. State dog wardens periodically canvass Berks neighborhoods to check for licenses and rabies compliance.
The maximum penalty for an unlicensed dog is a $500 fine plus court costs for each dog. The license itself costs less than $11, so the math favors licensing.
Rabies shots are a separate rule
Licensing your dog is not the same as vaccinating it. Pennsylvania law separately requires dogs and cats three months and older to be vaccinated against rabies and kept current. Your veterinarian handles that; the Treasurer handles the license. You need both.
Service and guide dogs
Certified guide, service, and hearing dogs may qualify for a free license under state law. If your dog is a trained service animal, contact the Treasurer's office at 610-478-6640 to ask what documentation to bring.
FAQ
How much is a dog license in Berks County?
A one-year license is $10.80, or $8.80 for owners 65 and older or with a disability. A lifetime license is $52.80, or $36.80 at the discounted rate, and requires the dog to be microchipped.
When do I have to license my dog by?
By January 1 each year for annual licenses, and within the first three months of the dog's life for a new puppy. A dog you buy or adopt at eight weeks or older should be licensed right away.
Can I license my dog online in Berks County?
Yes. Annual and senior licenses are available at padoglicense.com; select Berks County. Lifetime licenses cannot be bought online because they require the microchip verification form filed with the Treasurer.
What happens if I don't license my dog?
You can be fined up to $500 plus court costs for each unlicensed dog. State dog wardens check for licenses during neighborhood canvasses and at large.
Do I need a new license if I move within Pennsylvania?
Your existing license stays valid for the year, but notify the Treasurer of your new address so the records and any renewal notices reach you. If you move to a different county, buy your next renewal through that county's treasurer.
The County Treasurer is one of the county's elected row offices; our guide to how Berks County government works explains what each office does. For another yearly county obligation, see when Berks County property taxes are due. The Treasurer's office is at 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601; 610-478-6640; open weekdays.
Sources
The public records this story is reported from.