International Health Certificates

International Health Certificates allow you to travel internationally with your pet. Please note that travel requirements are set by the destination country, and we are not able to change, alter, or make exceptions to any of the required steps.

We highly recommend reviewing your destination country’s requirements before scheduling an appointment.

USDA Pet Travel Requirements (U.S. to Another Country):
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export

How the Process Works

To obtain an International Health Certificate:

1. An accredited veterinarian (our team) completes your pet’s required paperwork and exam.
2. We submit the certificate and supporting documents to the USDA for review and endorsement.
3. The USDA returns the endorsed certificate to you by email or mail, depending on your destination country’s requirements.

Please keep in mind: once paperwork has been submitted, USDA processing timelines are outside of our control. The process can be time-sensitive and occasionally frustrating, so we appreciate your patience and planning ahead.

Before Scheduling Your Appointment

Before we can schedule your International Health Certificate appointment, we will need:

• Required documents from you
• Completed travel information
• Confirmation that you have reviewed your destination country’s current travel requirements

Some countries also require additional testing or documentation, and these requirements vary widely depending on where you are traveling.

Documents We Need Before Your Appointment

Please send the following prior to your visit:

• All previous rabies vaccination certificates
• Vaccine history for all other vaccines
• Microchip information
• Any required test results (if your destination country requires testing)

International Health Certificate Intake Information

Please provide the following information when requesting an appointment:

• Client name
• Is your pet traveling as a personal pet or being sold/re-homed?
  (If your pet is not traveling as a personal pet, please call our office—requirements are very different.)
• Destination country
• Are you returning to the U.S.?
  (Return requirements can be found on the CDC website.)
• Date leaving the U.S.
• Date arriving in destination country
• Are you flying on the same flight as your pet?
  If no:
• Are they flying with a companion or a travel company?
• Are they arriving within 5 days of you arriving?
• Destination address
• Embarkation city (the city where your pet is departing the U.S.)
  (If your flight is indirect, this may differ from where you start your trip.)
• Does your pet have a microchip?

Health Certificate Delivery Options

Some destination countries require a hard copy of the endorsed certificate to be mailed back to you from the USDA.

If your destination requires a hard copy, we recommend providing a FedEx shipping label so the USDA can ship your document directly to you.

FedEx Label Guidance

The USDA recommends creating an overnight FedEx label with First Morning Delivery.

When asked for the shipment date, you may choose the day of your appointment (the exact ship date is not critical).

Recipient:
The address where you would like the certificate delivered

Sender:
Our clinic’s address
(The USDA has limited offices nationwide and prefers certificates not be returned to them if undeliverable.)

Next Steps

Thank you for providing the documents and information above. Once we receive everything, we will create a personalized treatment plan and timeline to help ensure your pet meets all travel requirements before departure.

If you have questions or need help getting started, please contact our office—we’re happy to help guide you through the process.