Pet Health Certificate for Travel: Complete Guide for Dogs & Cats

A pet health certificate (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or CVI) is a document from a USDA-accredited veterinarian stating your pet is healthy enough to travel. Most states require this certificate dated within 10 days of travel for dogs and cats crossing state lines.

What Is a Pet Health Certificate for Travel?

Transporting a pet interstate or international requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Your local veterinarian issues this document under the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP).

When you take your pet in for a checkup, inform the vet of your travel plans. They should offer you a certificate proving that your pet is up to date on vaccinations (parvo, rabies, etc.). They will also check for parasites (heartworm, hookworm, etc.) and include their findings in the certificate they issue.

Commercial airlines, meanwhile, have regulations of their own in place. In addition to a CVI, they might also need the following:

• Acclimation certificates waiving the federally mandated temperature requirements
• Travel forms or international animal health certificates
• Pet passports or quarantine certificates

All these requirements vary by destination, so please check with your airline/transporter before booking the trip. Additional certification may be required to guarantee that the animal is not a carrier of infectious diseases.

How to Get a Health Certificate for Your Pet

If you plan to fly, move across state lines, or travel internationally with a pet, you may need a veterinary health certificate — sometimes called a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). The process usually begins by scheduling an appointment with a USDA-accredited veterinarian. These specially certified vets are authorized to issue health certificates required for interstate and international pet travel. You can find accredited veterinarians through the USDA APHIS website.

Before your appointment, gather all required documents, including:

• Rabies vaccination records
• Microchip information (if applicable)
• Previous medical records
• Travel itinerary
• Destination-specific import requirements

During the exam, the veterinarian checks your pet for signs of illness, verifies vaccinations, and confirms the animal is healthy enough for travel. International travel may require additional testing, parasite treatments, or destination-specific paperwork depending on the country.

For domestic travel, health certificates are often issued the same day as the exam. International certificates can take longer because many countries require USDA endorsement after the veterinarian completes the paperwork. Travelers should ideally begin the process several weeks before departure to avoid delays.

Timing matters because many certificates are only valid for a limited window before travel. Some international destinations require USDA endorsement within 10 days of arrival.

Pet Health Certificate Cost and Validity Period

Pet health certificate costs vary depending on the veterinarian, destination, and whether USDA endorsement is required. For domestic travel, owners commonly pay between $50 and $200 for the veterinary exam and paperwork. International travel can cost significantly more due to endorsement fees, laboratory testing, and country-specific requirements.

For interstate domestic travel, health certificates are commonly valid for 10 days from the date of issue, especially for airline travel and many state entry requirements. Some states or travel situations may allow validity periods up to 30 days depending on the type of movement and species involved.

International timelines vary considerably by country. For example, many European Union destinations require USDA endorsement within 10 days of arrival.

Because validity windows can be strict, pet owners should avoid scheduling exams too early before departure.

State CVI Requirements for Pet Travel

Interstate pet travel rules vary by state, but most states require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and proof of rabies vaccination for dogs entering from another state. Requirements can change frequently, so travelers should always verify rules with the destination state’s agriculture department before departure.

Note: Requirements vary based on species, age, origin state, and purpose of travel. Hawaii has substantially stricter import and quarantine regulations than most states.

Which States Require Health Certificates for Dogs and Cats?

State and local ordinances often enforce slightly adjusted pet travel regulations. Here are just a couple of examples:

• California and Texas do not require you to provide a CVI when importing cats or dogs.
• In Illinois and Michigan, dogs do require a CVI, but cats do not.
• Georgia, Maine, and Montana require a CVI if the cat or dog is brought in for a change of ownership or exhibition. (An entry permit may be required as well.)
• Washington requires no CVI for a family pet but does require a rabies vaccination certificate.

If traveling internationally, the rules and regulations vary even more. Please don’t hesitate to contact the consulate/embassy of your country of destination for information on animal health requirements.

Airline Pet Health Certificate Requirements

Major airlines each maintain their own pet travel policies, and documentation requirements can differ depending on whether the pet travels in-cabin, checked baggage, or cargo.

pointer align-baseline”>Delta Air Lines allows small pets in-cabin on many domestic routes, though international destinations often require additional documentation and country-specific import paperwork. Delta also imposes kennel size restrictions and weather limitations for some animal transport services.

United Airlines permits in-cabin pet travel on many domestic flights through its PetSafe and cabin pet programs, though international and cargo travel generally require official health documentation.

American Airlines allows small pets in approved carriers on select flights, while larger animals may require cargo transport with additional veterinary paperwork and temperature restrictions.

Southwest Airlines only permits small vaccinated cats and dogs in-cabin on domestic flights and does not transport pets as cargo.

For domestic in-cabin travel, some airlines may not routinely request health certificates, but many veterinarians and travelers still recommend carrying recent vaccination and health records during travel. International flights almost always require official health documentation and destination-specific approvals.

Conclusion

Jumping through bureaucratic hoops to prove that your pet’s in good health can be annoying, we know. Still, it’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure that only healthy animals are allowed to travel. Battling the spread of disease is another way for owners to provide the care that their furry friends deserve.

When you book a driver through CitizenShipper, they’ll want that health certificate and might ask if the animal has had all its shots. Please do your best to answer their questions and provide the necessary documentation. This keeps your pet happy and healthy and other animals across the country as well!

Frequently Asked Questions