US Dog Passport: Does the USA Issue One? APHIS and CDC Rules Explained

A US dog passport is not an official document — the United States does not issue one. The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) states plainly that "the United States does not issue pet passports for international travel" (USDA APHIS, 2026). Instead, a dog leaving the US travels on a USDA-endorsed veterinary health certificate, while a dog entering or returning to the US needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, required for every dog since August 1, 2024.

What People Mean by "US Dog Passport"

The search term "US dog passport" usually reflects one of three things: confusion with the European Union's pet passport system, a search for whatever official document lets a dog cross a US border, or an interest in the novelty "pet passport" booklets sold on retail sites as souvenir ID cards. None of these map cleanly onto how the US actually handles dog travel documentation, which is why the terminology causes so much confusion for first-time international travelers.

Unlike the European Union, the United States has no single government-issued booklet that certifies a dog's identity and vaccination history for life. Instead, two separate US federal agencies handle two separate directions of travel, and each requires its own paperwork.

Does the US Government Issue a Dog Passport?

No. On its official pet travel FAQ page, USDA APHIS answers this exact question: "Because pet entry requirements vary by country, the United States does not issue pet passports for international travel. Instead, we issue health certificates that confirm your pet meets the unique requirements of your destination country" (USDA APHIS, Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling With Your Pet, 2026). That single sentence settles the search intent behind "US dog passport": there is no such product from the federal government, in any format, for any destination.

What US Dog Owners Actually Need Instead

Because there is no US dog passport, the paperwork splits by direction of travel. Leaving the country and entering or returning to the country are governed by two different federal agencies with two different forms.

Leaving the US: APHIS Form 7001 and Endorsement Fees

To take a dog from the United States to another country, most destinations require a United States Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals — commonly called APHIS Form 7001. A USDA-accredited veterinarian examines the dog, completes the certificate, and submits it for USDA endorsement, usually through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). Many countries also require additional country-specific permits or certificates on top of Form 7001, so APHIS recommends starting the process weeks to months before departure.

As of June 2026, USDA APHIS charges an endorsement fee for each certificate it processes, according to its official "Cost To Endorse Your Pet's Health Certificate" page:

USDA APHIS notes that "vaccines are not considered tests nor are they considered when calculating fees," and that it "does not charge endorsement fees for service animals (dogs) belonging to individuals with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act" (USDA APHIS, 2026). Payment must be received before an APHIS Endorsement Office will endorse the certificate.

Entering or Returning to the US: CDC Dog Import Form (Since August 2024)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not USDA APHIS, is the lead federal authority for dogs entering or returning to the United States. CDC's rationale is rabies control: dog rabies was eliminated from the United States in 2007, and the agency states it wants to prevent the disease's reintroduction (CDC, May 2024 press release). Under the rule that took effect August 1, 2024, CDC requires that all dogs entering the United States must:

• Appear healthy upon arrival
• Be at least six months of age
• Be microchipped
• Be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt

Additional requirements — such as a CDC-approved rabies vaccination certificate or blood titer test — depend on where the dog was vaccinated and which countries it visited in the six months before arrival. Dogs coming from countries CDC classifies as high-risk for dog rabies without valid proof of vaccination are denied entry outright. The Dog Import Form receipt is generated within minutes of online submission, is valid for six months, and can cover repeat entries as long as the dog does not visit a high-risk country during that window. CDC directs travelers to its Dog Importation Navigator tool to determine exactly which documents apply to a specific itinerary.

US Dog Passport vs. EU Pet Passport: Key Differences

The EU pet passport is a real, official document — it is just not a US one. Under Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, cats, dogs, and ferrets can travel within the EU using a passport that records the animal's identity (microchip or tattoo number), rabies vaccination, and other treatments (European Commission, EUR-Lex, 2013). That is fundamentally different from the US system, which uses per-trip certificates rather than a single lifetime booklet. The table below summarizes the practical differences.

Animal Passport's own explainer on the EU system goes into more depth on how the EU pet passport and PETS scheme actually work, which is useful context for travelers comparing the two systems directly.

How to Get Your Dog's US Travel Documents: Step by Step

1. Confirm your dog's microchip is current. CDC has required a microchip for every dog entering the US since August 1, 2024.
2. Check destination-country requirements early. APHIS recommends starting weeks to months ahead, since some countries add quarantine or additional testing.
3. Schedule an exam with a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Only accredited vets can complete APHIS Form 7001 or an equivalent export health certificate.
4. Submit for USDA endorsement through VEHCS. Pay the applicable endorsement fee ($101–$275 as of June 2026, per the table above) before the deadline for your travel date.
5. If returning to or entering the US, complete the CDC Dog Import Form online and print or save the confirmation receipt, valid for six months.
6. Carry original, signed paperwork. APHIS states that electronic copies alone are generally not accepted by destination officials — bring physical originals plus backup digital copies.

Beyond Paper: Digital Identity for Dogs and Livestock

None of the government paperwork above establishes a portable, owner-controlled identity record for an animal — it only certifies health status for a specific trip. That gap is what Animal Passport is built to address, as a digital identity layer rather than a travel document. The product uses muzzle biometrics — a nose print that is unique to each animal, similar to a human fingerprint — captured with a phone camera. A single capture binds a record that includes the owner, breed, an estimated age from a dental photograph with a confidence score, a body condition score from 1 to 5 based on a side-profile photo, and vaccination history.

This is deliberately not a substitute for a USDA health certificate, a CDC Dog Import Form, or an EU pet passport, and it is not a government-issued document. Its clearest real-world use case so far has been disaster response rather than border crossings: during livestock flood rescue efforts in Pakistan in August 2025, muzzle-biometric identity let farmers reclaim animals after paper ear tags had washed away, when no physical tag or paper record survived. For dog owners navigating US and international travel rules, Animal Passport's blog also covers the APHIS and CDC process in more operational detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the United States issue a dog passport?

No. USDA APHIS states directly that "the United States does not issue pet passports for international travel." US dog owners use a veterinary health certificate to leave the country and a CDC Dog Import Form receipt to enter or return.

What do I use instead of a passport to travel internationally with my dog from the US?

You need a USDA-endorsed veterinary health certificate, most commonly APHIS Form 7001, completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS before departure.

What is the CDC Dog Import Form, and does every dog need one?

It is an online submission that generates a receipt required for every dog entering the United States, a rule CDC put in place on August 1, 2024. The receipt is valid for six months and covers repeat entries if the dog does not visit a high-risk rabies country in that window.

How much does a USDA pet health certificate cost?

As of June 2026, USDA APHIS endorsement fees start at $101 per certificate with no lab tests and rise to $275 with seven or more tests, plus a small per-additional-pet fee. Service dogs for ADA-defined disabilities are exempt from the fee.

Is a US dog passport the same as an EU pet passport?

No. The EU pet passport is a real, official lifetime document created under Regulation (EU) No 576/2013. The US has no equivalent; it relies on per-trip health certificates and, for entry, the CDC Dog Import Form.

Can I buy a "dog passport" booklet online and use it for official travel?

Novelty pet passport booklets sold on retail and marketplace sites are not recognized by USDA, CDC, or foreign border authorities. Only an APHIS-endorsed health certificate and, where applicable, a CDC Dog Import Form receipt satisfy US and destination-country requirements.

Does my dog need a microchip to enter or leave the US?

Yes for entry: CDC has required a microchip for every dog entering the United States since August 1, 2024. Microchipping is also commonly required by destination countries for export, so check country-specific APHIS guidance before you travel.

Is Animal Passport's biometric record a government travel document?

No. Animal Passport is a phone-based digital identity record using muzzle biometrics, separate from and not a substitute for USDA APHIS health certificates or the CDC Dog Import Form.