Health Certificates & Pet Travel

Health Certificates (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection/CVI) for traveling with your pet

A Health Certificate (also called a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) is a legal document that requires the signature of a USDA accredited veterinarian. Not every veterinarian is USDA accredited. Accreditation requires a substantial amount of time and education to keep this certification current ongoing. It is not simply signing a piece of paper.

  1. Before scheduling an appointment with one of our USDA accredited veterinarians, please visit the USDA APHIS website for information on what is required for your destination(see below for the appropriate links).

  2. Some Health Certificates/CVIs may take months depending on the destination. As most all veterinarians are booked out for weeks, please plan ahead.

  3. Expedited Health Certificates (less than 2 Business Days) are only available if you are traveling within the contiguous 48 states or Alaska (all states except Hawaii.) An expedited Health Certificate may incur additional fees.

  4. We require a signed Waiver Of Responsibility for ALL Hawaii and international health certificates, which establishes that the ultimate responsibility is on you to ensure all required documentation is obtained and that all information on the paperwork is correct.

  5. We reserve the right to decline to create a health certificate for any reason, as some countries have a very complex process that requires much more time or capability than we currently have.

  • Domestic Travel (excluding Hawaii)

    If you are flying with your pet to anywhere in the U.S.A. (not Hawaii), please check with your airline to discuss travel accommodations, as not every airline requires a health certificate if a pet is traveling in cabin. In almost all cases, a pet traveling in cargo will require a health certificate.

    In order to obtain a domestic health certificate:

    1. If a state does not require a health certificate for entry but you are traveling by air, please contact the airline for their requirements.

    Click here for state requirements.

    2. Schedule an appointment for an exam within 10 days of your travel date. Please call our office to schedule. If this is an expedited request, additional fees will apply.

    3. Be sure to have proof of your pet’s up-to-date rabies vaccine

    Health Certificate Form

  • Travel to Hawaii

    Although Hawaii is part of the United States, traveling with your pet to the islands is very different than the rest of the country because they are Rabies free. This process of taking a pet to Hawaii can take up to 6 months and requires blood testing for Rabies titers.

    To begin the process of Hawaii travel with your pet:

    • A $75 non-refundable deposit is required to initiate preparation.

    • All previous medical records must be provided to us ASAP, as well as the intended travel date and destination.

    We charge a non-refundable fee because of the multiple steps involved on our end, which include: reviewing medical records, research, and planning multiple appointments. This is time we do not get back.

    The deposit will be applied to the final cost of the health certificate.

    Travel to Hawaii

  • International Travel

    For international travel, every country has different requirements and expectations regarding domestic pets that are non-negotiable and often strict. In many cases, we recommend utilizing a pet relocation company to aid in travel arrangements.

    Please review the requirements of your intended country of travel before reaching out to us. We can only assist with the veterinary requirements, but there are often additional permits, paperwork, and fees that you will be responsible for.

    To begin the process of international travel with your pet:

    • A $75 non-refundable deposit is required to initiate preparation and scheduling

    • All previous medical records must be emailed to us ASAP in order for our coordinator to begin the process.

    • The country of destination AND other countries that you may be stopping in must also be provided, as well as the intended travel date or general timeframe.

    We charge a non-refundable fee because of the multiple steps involved on our end, which include: reviewing medical records, research, and planning multiple appointments. This is time we do not get back.

    The deposit will be applied to the final cost of the health certificate.

    International Travel

  • Travel to Mexico

    Effective 12/16/2019: A health certificate for dogs and cats is no longer needed to enter Mexico. Dogs and cats may be taken to the border without health certificate documentation, they will be inspected by SENASICA upon arrival. Please follow the guidance below.

    • If you are flying to Mexico, please check with your airline for requirements as these may be different.

    Travel to Mexico

Health Certificate Questions

Please allow for 2-3 business days for a response as we have dedicated staff that manage the specifics of health certificates.