The Dog License Transfer of Ownership is a Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter form that the seller or other transferor of a dog completes when the dog changes owners. It is one of the forms tied to the Cuyahoga County dog license: it names the seller and the buyer, describes the dog, and records the dog's behavior history. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF is published by the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer.
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What is Dog License Transfer of Ownership – Cuyahoga County, OH?
The Dog License Transfer of Ownership is the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter form on which the seller or other transferor of a dog records the sale or transfer, the buyer, the dog and what the seller knows about the dog's behavior. It is handled by the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department.
The first page holds the names, addresses and phone numbers of the seller (transferor) and the buyer (transferee), a description of the dog (age, gender, color, hair length, breed, spayed or neutered), the dog's license number, rabies tag number, microchip number if applicable and name. It also holds the date of transfer, the county where the tag was issued and the signatures. The second page, headed with the dog license number, asks four initialed yes-or-no questions: whether the dog has chased or attempted to bite a person, has bitten a person, has seriously injured or killed a person, or meets the definitions of a dangerous or vicious dog. A "yes" answer calls for a description of the incident or incidents.
The third page reproduces section 955.11, which defines "dangerous dog," "nuisance dog," "vicious dog," "serious injury," "menacing fashion" and "without provocation," and requires the seller to give the buyer a signed transfer of ownership certificate. The same section says the auditor records a transfer when the signed certificate is presented with a fee.
The form has two "County Auditor" and "Deputy Auditor" lines for recording the transfer; those belong to the county, not to you.
Who needs to file Dog License Transfer of Ownership – Cuyahoga County, OH?
The seller or other transferor of a dog completes this form. The form's heading says that anyone selling or transferring ownership of a dog is required to complete it. If the dog's owner has died, the seller's signature line allows an executor to sign in the seller's place.
The buyer or other transferee is the second party: the form has a line for the buyer's signature, marked as advised, and a statement that the buyer has received and understands the statements about dog behavior.
Sellers who know the dog is a dangerous dog have a further duty. Within ten days after the transfer, they must give a completed copy of the form to the buyer, to the board of health for the district where the buyer lives, and to the dog warden of the county where the buyer lives.
The form also reflects a separate rule from section 955.11: before the transfer, when the buyer asks, the seller must give a written notice about the dog's behavior and propensities.
When to file Dog License Transfer of Ownership – Cuyahoga County, OH
Complete the form when ownership or possession of the dog is transferred. The heading says anyone selling or transferring a dog is required to complete it, and section 955.11, printed on the form, says the seller gives the buyer a signed transfer of ownership certificate upon the transfer.
If the seller knows the dog is a dangerous dog, the form must be completed within ten days after the transfer of ownership or possession. Within that period the seller provides it to the buyer, the board of health for the buyer's district and the dog warden of the buyer's county.
Separately, if the buyer asks before the transfer, the seller must give a written notice about the dog's behavior and propensities. The form sets no other deadline and gives no processing time.
Documents you need
- The completed Dog License Transfer of Ownership, signed by the seller or transferor (or the executor, if applicable): the first two pages go to the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department.
- The fee, sent together with the first two pages of the form to the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department; the amount is printed on the form.
- A completed copy of the form for the buyer, the board of health for the buyer's district and the dog warden of the buyer's county, only when the seller knows the dog is a dangerous dog.
How to fill out Dog License Transfer of Ownership – Cuyahoga County, OH
Enter the seller's information
Under NAME OF THE SELLER OR TRANSFEROR, enter the name, street address, city, state, ZIP code, and primary and secondary contact phone numbers.
Enter the buyer's information
Under NAME OF THE BUYER OR TRANSFEREE, enter the same details for the buyer. The buyer's residence matters because it decides which board of health and dog warden receive a copy in dangerous-dog cases.
Describe the dog
Fill in the dog's age, gender, color, hair length, breed and whether it is spayed or neutered.
Enter license, tag and name details
Enter the dog's license number, rabies tag number, microchip number (if applicable) and the dog's name.
Enter the date and tag county
Complete the line beginning "Dated this ___ day of ___ 20___" with the transfer date, and write the county where the tag was issued.
Sign as seller and have the buyer sign
The Transferer/Seller (or Executor, if applicable) signs on the required signature line. The buyer signs the line marked Advised Signature of Transferee/Buyer, confirming receipt of the statements about dog behavior.
Answer the behavior questions on page 2
Write the dog license number at the top, then check Yes or No and add initials for each of the four questions. For every Yes, describe the incident or incidents.
Sign page 2 as seller
The seller (or executor, if applicable) signs again on the required signature line at the bottom of page 2.
Leave the recording block blank
The "This transfer recorded" lines for the County Auditor and Deputy Auditor are for the county.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check names, license number and initials, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit Dog License Transfer of Ownership – Cuyahoga County, OH
The form is submitted by sending it to the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department, and in dangerous-dog cases it is also handed to the buyer and two local authorities.
- Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department: send the first two pages of the form together with the fee to Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department, 2079 E. 9th Street 3-128, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. A fee applies; the amount is printed on the form, and you can ask the county about it at 216-443-3192.
- The buyer: give the buyer the completed, seller-signed certificate.
- Dangerous dog only: within ten days after the transfer, also give a completed copy to the board of health for the district where the buyer lives and to the dog warden of the county where the buyer lives.
The form names no online submission channel. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out the seller's signature: the form marks the Transferer/Seller signature as required on both page 1 and page 2.
- Skipping the initials beside the Yes or No answers on page 2, or answering Yes without describing the incident or incidents.
- Sending the form without the fee; the form says to include it with the first two pages.
- Sending only part of the form to the Fiscal Department instead of the first two pages.
- Missing the ten-day period after the transfer when the seller knows the dog is a dangerous dog.
- Giving copies to the board of health and dog warden of the seller's area instead of those where the buyer lives.
- Not giving the buyer a copy, even though the seller must provide the buyer with the signed transfer certificate.
- Leaving the dog license number off page 2, which is headed with that number.
- Writing in the County Auditor and Deputy Auditor lines of the recording block.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Dog License Transfer of Ownership form?
It is a Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter form on which a dog's seller or transferor records the transfer to a buyer, describes the dog and answers four behavior questions. The Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department records the transfer when it receives the form with the fee.
Do I have to fill out this form when I sell my dog?
Yes. The form's heading says anyone selling or transferring ownership of a dog is required to complete it. The seller signs it and gives the buyer the signed certificate; the executor may sign if the owner has died.
How long do I have to complete the transfer form?
Within ten days after the transfer of ownership or possession, if you know the dog is a dangerous dog. In that case you give a completed copy to the buyer, the board of health for the buyer's district and the dog warden of the buyer's county.
Where do I send the transfer of ownership form?
Send the first two pages with the fee to Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department, 2079 E. 9th Street 3-128, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. For dangerous dogs, also give copies to the buyer, the buyer's board of health and the buyer's county dog warden.
Is there a fee to transfer a dog license?
Yes. The form says to include a fee with the first two pages, sent to the Fiscal Department. The amount is printed on the form; for questions you can call the county at 216-443-3192.
Is this the form I use to get a Cuyahoga County dog license?
No. This form records a change of dog ownership. For a Cuyahoga County dog license, the Fiscal Officer's dog licenses page lists buying online, at neighborhood locations, or by mailing an application to the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter; its phone number is 216-443-3192.
Who signs the Dog License Transfer of Ownership?
The seller or transferor (or the executor, if one applies) signs on page 1 and again on page 2; both are marked required. The buyer or transferee also signs, on the line marked Advised Signature of Transferee/Buyer.
How does the form define a dangerous dog?
Section 955.11, printed on page 3, defines a dangerous dog as one that, without provocation, has injured a person (short of killing or serious injury), killed another dog, or been the subject of a third or later violation of division (C) of section 955.22. Police dogs on duty are excluded.
Can I fill out the transfer of ownership form online?
You can complete the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of Cuyahoga County and does not file or record the transfer; you send the form to the Fiscal Department yourself.
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