Change of ownership of a companion animal
To put a dog/cat/ferret already identified and registered in your name. Use this when you adopt, buy or someone transfers the animal to you and you need to update the municipal census and the microchip registry.
What GovEasy does
- Prepares your case file and documentation
- Detects frequent errors before submission
- Saves your progress and reminds you of deadlines
What the agency does
Ayuntamiento
- Receives and reviews your application
- Issues the resolution or official document
Guía completa
What you need to have to hand
- Sales/transfer/adoption contract signed. Without this there is no owner change.
- DNI/NIE of the new owner (and of the old owner if they sign the transfer).
- Microchip number and cartilla sanitaria/animal passport.
- Rabies vaccination up to date (depending on the comunidad).
- Address and municipality where you live for the census.
Documentation
- Sales or transfer document with the animal’s details and both owners’ data.
- DNI/NIE of the new owner; copy of the old owner’s if they sign the transfer.
- Microchip number (tag or vet certificate).
- Cartilla sanitaria/animal passport and rabies if your comunidad requires it.
- Proof of deregistration from the previous census if you change municipality.
Step-by-step
- Get the transfer signed and keep a digital copy. Ask for the old owner’s DNI/NIE.
- Microchip change: call your vet and request a “cambio de propietario”. Take DNI, contract and cartilla. In Catalunya it is handled by AIAC (https://www.aiac.cat); in Comunitat Valenciana by RIVIA (https://rivia.gva.es).
- Municipal census: go to your town hall’s sede. Madrid: https://sede.madrid.es (Censo de animales de compañía). Barcelona: https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/tramits (Cens d'animals).
- Submit the application attaching contract, microchip and vaccination. If there is a tasa, pay it online and keep the receipt.
- Changing municipality: process the baja at the old town hall and the alta at the new one so the animal is not left unregistered.
- Verify after 1–5 days that you appear as the owner in both the census and the microchip registry. Keep all receipts.
Time-saving tips
- Ask the shelter/shop to do the microchip change; they often have direct access to the registry.
- If your ayuntamiento allows it, submit online with Cl@ve/certificado and skip the queues.
- Take photos of the microchip tag and the cartilla. They help if any data is missing.
- If the dog is PPP/PRP, have your licence and insurance ready before you request the change.
Common mistakes that will mess up the process
- Changing only the census and forgetting the microchip: legally it remains in the old owner’s name.
- Missing the deadline (10–30 days): you can get fined and have problems if an incident occurs.
- Contract missing the animal’s details (microchip, breed, etc.): the town hall can reject it.
- Moving municipality and not doing baja/alta: the animal becomes a “ghost” and causes headaches later.
- Assuming the vet does it automatically: ask and get proof of the change.
- 1.Get the sales/transfer contract signed by the old owner and a scan/photo of their DNI/NIE.
- 2.Change the microchip owner in the regional registry: ask your vet for a “cambio de propietario” and take DNI, contract and cartilla. In Catalunya it is handled via AIAC (https://www.aiac.cat); in Comunitat Valenciana via RIVIA (https://rivia.gva.es).
- 3.Update or register on the municipal census: if you live in Madrid go to https://sede.madrid.es and do “Censo de animales de compañía”; if you live in Barcelona go to https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/tramits and search “Cens d'animals de companyia”.
- 4.Upload the contract/transfer, microchip number and rabies vaccination to your town hall’s sede electrónica and submit the application. If there is a tasa, pay it there and keep the receipt.
- 5.If you move municipality, request the baja at the previous town hall and do the alta at the new one on the same day so the records do not mismatch.
- 6.After 1–5 days check that both the municipal census and the microchip registry show you as the owner and save the receipts.
- DNI/NIE of the new owner (and of the old owner if they sign the transfer)
- Sales/adoption/transfer contract signed
- Microchip number and identification tag/certificate
- Cartilla sanitaria or animal passport
- Proof of current rabies vaccination (depending on your comunidad)
- Address and municipality of residence of the new owner (for the municipal census)
- If you change municipality: deregistration from the previous census (if they provide it)
Deadlines and fines
Most ordinances give 10–30 days to report changes of owner and address. Not doing it can be a minor sanction. If the microchip is still under the old owner’s name, legally the animal is still theirs.
Microchip and municipal census are different things
Changing only the municipal census DOES NOT update the microchip owner. You must do that in the regional registry (via your vet/college). In an incident they will check the microchip.
Potentially dangerous dogs (PPP/PRP)
If the dog requires a municipal licence, besides changing the owner you must have your licence and insurance in force before the town hall will accept the change.
Change between municipalities/communities
If you move, deregister from the old municipal census and register in the new one. Ask the vet to update the address in the microchip registry so REIAC reflects the change.
Can I be fined if I don't change the owner?
Yes. Ordinances usually require you to register and keep details up to date. If you do not change owner or address within the deadline (typical: 10–30 days), you can receive minor fines.
What if the old owner refuses to sign?
Without a contract or authorisation the vet will struggle to change the record. Ask the shelter/shop to process the transfer, or provide proof of possession. In bad cases you may need to file a police report.
Do I need to go to the vet?
For changing the microchip owner, yes — mandatory. The municipal census is usually done online at the town hall sede electrónica.
How much does it really cost?
The census is usually free or €5–10. The microchip owner change is often included when the vet handles it, but it depends on the regional college of vets.
What if the animal has no microchip?
First go to the vet to implant the microchip and register it. Microchipping is mandatory for dogs across Spain (cats and ferrets depend on the comunidad). Then do the municipal census.
If the animal comes from another comunidad autónoma, anything extra?
Do the owner change in the origin registry and update address. Then register in your new town hall. Some registries migrate data to REIAC automatically when the address changes.
¿Qué es Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía y ante qué organismo se presenta?
Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía es un trámite gestionado por Ayuntamiento. Transferencia de propiedad de un animal registrado. Necesario en adopciones, compraventas o cesiones. Actualización en censo municipal y REIAC.
¿Cuánto cuesta realizar Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía?
El coste de Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía es Gratuito – 10 €. Verifica importes actualizados en la sede de Ayuntamiento antes de presentarlo.
¿Cuánto tarda Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía?
El tiempo estimado para Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía es 1–5 días. Puede variar según la carga del organismo Ayuntamiento y la complejidad del expediente.
¿Qué sistema de identificación necesito para Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía?
Para Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía el usuario no requiere identificación digital. Si no dispones del medio exigido, valora alternativas presenciales o apoderamiento.
¿Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía necesita cita previa?
No, Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía se puede iniciar sin cita previa. Puedes comenzar directamente por la sede electrónica o ventanilla correspondiente.
¿Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía exige microchip o pasaporte animal?
Determinados trámites de Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía requieren microchip, cartilla sanitaria actualizada y, si hay desplazamiento internacional, pasaporte animal emitido por veterinario colegiado.
¿Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía aplica a todas las especies?
Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía puede aplicar solo a determinadas especies o razas. Revisa la normativa autonómica correspondiente y la clasificación de animales potencialmente peligrosos cuando proceda.
¿Dónde se registra Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía?
Los registros animales asociados a Cambio de Titularidad de Animal de Compañía suelen depender del órgano autonómico competente en sanidad animal o del ayuntamiento. Confirma el cauce en tu CCAA.
We'll show you how to do it
A clear, jargon-free guide with the official steps and the documents you need.
Start procedureOfficial information, verified and up to date.
Done by professionals
A licensed agent does it for you
Describe your case and get a no-obligation quote.
See available agentsProtected payment: the agent only gets paid as the work progresses.
Acción inmediata
Ver guía y requisitos
Necesitamos al menos tu municipio para decidir si existe una sede local o autonómica validada para el expediente animal.
Your progress
50%- Understand
- Prepare
- Submit
- Track
Your next step
1.Get the sales/transfer contract signed by the old owner and a scan/photo of their DNI/NIE.
- We validate documentation before submission
- Your progress is saved: continue any time
- We alert you about deadlines and status changes
¿Quieres guardarlo y recibir avisos? Crea una cuenta gratis
Case file assistant
Creates the case file, prepares documents, detects risks and shows you only the next step.
Gestor administrativo
Para casos complejos o urgentes.
Tu copiloto administrativo
¿No sabes por dónde empezar? El Copiloto te guía paso a paso
Tramiti analiza tu situación, prioriza tus trámites pendientes y te dice exactamente qué hacer primero. Sin burocracia, sin rodeos.