USA Pet Passport: What USDA APHIS Actually Requires in 2026

A "USA pet passport" does not exist as an official document. The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) states plainly that because pet entry rules vary by destination, "the United States does not issue pet passports for international travel." Instead, pet owners use a destination-specific health certificate, signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by APHIS, plus — for dogs — a separate CDC Dog Import Form.

This guide explains exactly what replaces a pet passport in the U.S. system, how much it costs, what dogs need to re-enter the country, and how the U.S. approach compares with the European Union's actual pet passport. As of September 2026, these are the current federal requirements.

Why there is no official "USA pet passport"

USDA APHIS runs the federal pet travel program for exporting pets from the U.S., importing pets into the U.S., and moving pets between states. On its pet travel FAQ page, APHIS explains that a single standardized passport isn't practical because "there is not one standard health certificate or set of requirements" — each destination country sets its own vaccination, testing, and paperwork rules. So rather than one passport booklet, the U.S. system produces a new health certificate for every trip, tailored to wherever the pet is going.

This is a key difference from how the term "pet passport" is used in Europe, where it refers to an actual physical document (more on that below).

What actually replaces a pet passport: the USDA health certificate

For outbound international travel, APHIS describes a health certificate (also called an international or veterinary health certificate) as the document that confirms a pet meets the destination country's specific import requirements. It is issued by an examining veterinarian and, for most countries, must then be formally endorsed by APHIS.

Steps to get a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate

1. Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you plan to travel — APHIS recommends doing this early, since some countries require tests or vaccines months in advance.
2. Confirm your destination's specific entry rules with your vet, since requirements differ by country and can include rabies titer tests, parasite treatments, or microchip checks.
3. Have the veterinarian complete and sign the certificate, often through APHIS' Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS), the agency's online platform for creating and submitting export health certificates electronically.
4. Submit the certificate to an APHIS Endorsement Office for review and official endorsement (counter-signature and stamp). APHIS notes that in most cases you do not need to bring the pet in person — only the paperwork.
5. Pay the endorsement fee and travel with the original signed, endorsed paperwork — APHIS warns that destination countries will not accept electronic copies in place of the original.

How much does USDA APHIS endorsement cost?

USDA APHIS charges a per-certificate endorsement fee based on how many laboratory tests appear on the certificate (vaccines are not counted as tests). These fees took effect June 18, 2026, according to APHIS.

APHIS does not charge an endorsement fee for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-recognized service dogs, though emotional support animals are billed at the standard rate. These fees cover only the federal endorsement; they do not include what the examining veterinarian charges for the exam itself.

How long is a USDA pet health certificate valid?

Validity depends on the destination. For travel from the U.S. to the United Kingdom, APHIS states a non-commercial health certificate is valid for 30 days after the USDA-accredited veterinarian signs it, and must then be endorsed by APHIS within 10 days of the pet's arrival in the UK. Commercial certificates are stricter: valid for only 48 hours after signing, with endorsement required before departure from the U.S. Always check the specific country page on the APHIS pet travel site, since timelines vary.

Bringing a dog into the U.S.: the CDC Dog Import Form

Pet owners are often surprised that a second federal agency is involved on the way back. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — not USDA APHIS — controls dog imports and re-entries, because dogs can carry rabies. Since August 1, 2024, the CDC has required that all dogs entering or returning to the United States be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, submitted online before travel.

What dogs need, by risk category

• From a rabies-free or low-risk country: the CDC Dog Import Form receipt, plus the dog must appear healthy, have a microchip, and be at least six months old.
• From a high-risk country for dog rabies, previously vaccinated in the U.S.: valid U.S. rabies certification endorsed by USDA, plus the form.
• From a high-risk country, vaccinated abroad: a microchip, valid rabies certification, and a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility; these dogs cannot enter at land border crossings.

The CDC also requires that the microchip be implanted before the rabies vaccination and that the chip number be printed on the certification — a rabies certificate that can't be linked to a readable microchip can be rejected at entry. Dogs must receive their first rabies vaccination no earlier than 12 weeks (84 days) of age, and for high-risk-country re-entry, the first U.S. dose must be given at least 28 days before departure.

USA vs. EU: two very different systems, same phrase

Searches for "pet passport" often mix up two unrelated systems. The table below separates them.

In short: if you are searching for a "USA pet passport" because you saw the term used for EU travel, the U.S. equivalent is the combination of a USDA-endorsed health certificate (for leaving the country) and, for dogs, the CDC Dog Import Form (for entering or returning).

Where biometric animal ID fits — and where it doesn't

None of the federal systems above use biometric identification. Animal Passport, publisher of this guide, builds a separate product: a phone-based digital animal identity record that uses muzzle biometrics — a nose print, which is unique to each animal like a human fingerprint — along with a dental-photo age estimate and a 1–5 body condition score from a side-profile photo. This tool was built for livestock identity, not for U.S. government pet travel paperwork. During flooding in Pakistan in August 2025, it was used so farmers could identify and reclaim livestock after paper ear tags were washed away. It is not a USDA or CDC document, does not replace a health certificate or the CDC Dog Import Form, and is not a veterinary diagnosis or legal travel authorization. Read more about the underlying technology on the Animal Passport homepage and the Animal Passport blog.

Quick checklist before you travel

• Confirm whether you're leaving the U.S. (USDA APHIS rules apply) or bringing a dog in (CDC rules apply) — many trips require both.
• Book a USDA-accredited veterinarian early; some destinations require tests months ahead.
• Budget for the APHIS endorsement fee ($101–$275 depending on lab tests) plus the veterinarian's exam fee.
• For dogs, complete the CDC Dog Import Form online before departure — it is required at entry, not issued on arrival.
• Check your specific destination's page on the APHIS pet travel site, since validity windows (10 to 30 days) differ by country.
• Travel with original, physically signed and stamped paperwork — electronic copies are not accepted by most destination countries.

Frequently asked questions

Does the United States issue a pet passport?

No. USDA APHIS states directly that the U.S. does not issue pet passports for international travel because entry requirements differ by destination country. Instead, pet owners use a destination-specific health certificate.

What do I actually need to travel internationally with my pet from the U.S.?

You need a health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and, for most destinations, endorsed by USDA APHIS. Requirements (vaccines, tests, timing) vary by destination country, so confirm them with your vet and the APHIS country-specific page.

How much does USDA APHIS charge to endorse a pet health certificate?

As of June 18, 2026, APHIS charges $101 per certificate with no lab tests, up to $275 for certificates with seven or more tests, per its official fee schedule. ADA-recognized service dogs are exempt from this fee.

What is the CDC Dog Import Form, and do I need it?

It's an online form and receipt required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for every dog entering or returning to the U.S., a rule in effect since August 1, 2024. It is separate from, and in addition to, any USDA paperwork.

Can I bring my dog into the U.S. without a rabies vaccination?

Only if the dog is coming from a country the CDC classifies as rabies-free or low-risk, and it still must have a microchip, appear healthy, and be at least six months old. Dogs from CDC-designated high-risk countries generally must be vaccinated against rabies.

Is a USDA health certificate the same as an EU pet passport?

No. A USDA health certificate is a one-time document issued per trip and endorsed by APHIS, while the EU pet passport is a standing physical booklet issued under EU law (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013) that records microchip, rabies vaccination, and treatment history for intra-EU movement.

How long is a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate valid?

It depends on the destination. For UK travel, APHIS states a non-commercial certificate is valid 30 days after the vet signs it, with APHIS endorsement required within 10 days of arrival; EU-bound certificates and commercial certificates have shorter windows, so check the specific country page.

What is VEHCS?

VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System) is USDA APHIS' secure online system that lets accredited veterinarians create, sign, and submit export health certificates electronically before APHIS endorsement, rather than relying solely on paper forms.