Health Certificates & Travel Documentation
Whether you’re relocating, flying with your pet, or traveling across state lines, proper documentation is essential. Legacy Veterinary Hospital provides pet health certificates and travel preparation services for domestic and international travel, so you and your pet can travel with confidence.
Preparing Your Pet for Safe Travel
Travel requirements vary depending on your destination, your airline, and whether you’re crossing state or international borders. Our team will help you navigate the specifics so nothing is missed. We handle the physical examination, review destination-specific regulations, confirm required vaccinations and diagnostic testing, and complete all necessary documentation.
For international travel, a USDA-accredited veterinarian must prepare the health certificate, and requirements are set by each destination country. Once the certificate is completed, it will need to be endorsed by your local USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services Export Service Office. We recommend checking the USDA-APHIS page on pet travel early in your planning process, as requirements can vary significantly and change frequently.
The USDA recommends a minimum 10-day window for completing health certificates, but many airlines require certificates to be issued no more than 10 days prior to departure. For domestic travel between states, there may also be health and documentation requirements depending on your destination. We recommend scheduling your pre-travel appointment well in advance of your departure to allow time for vaccinations, testing, and processing.
We also prepare documentation for housing requirements and other non-travel situations where proof of your pet’s health status is needed. Whatever the reason, we’ll make sure the paperwork is accurate, complete, and on time.