If you're moving internationally, you're most likely going to need a Vet Health Certificate, also known as the USDA APHIS Form 7001. We get asked about this form often and it is actually our most-searched item once people arrive on our website.
The 7001, as we call it, is something that you will not be able to download from our site or anywhere else. It is a carbon-copy form that only USDA-accredited veterinarians can obtain, from their state's USDA Veterinary Services office. The state Veterinary Services offices oversee all of the export documents for pets departing from the US, and ensure that the veterinarians issuing the documents, including the 7001, are accredited and filling out accurate information.
Here are the steps for obtaining and getting endorsed the Form 7001 health certificate:
1. Find a USDA-Accredited veterinarian in your area. The USDA Veterinary Services offices do not need to see pets to issue health certificates -- they only look at the paperwork after it has been completed. So you'll need to ask your local vet if they are accredited.
2. Make sure your vet has the 7001 forms on hand prior to your appointment to get the health certificate. If they don't, they will need to order one from their state's veterinary service office, which are listed by state here. Please keep in mind that these offices will not generally send 7001 forms to pet owners, only USDA-accredited veterinarians, so you will need to get your veterinarian to call to request the form.
3. Go to your vet to get the health certificate issued. This must be done within a certain time frame of your travel date -- check the pet import requirements for the country you are going to, as well as the requirements the airline you are flying on, to determine when you will need to get the health certificate issued.
4. Check your (vet's) work! We cannot stress this enough. As part of our service, we review all of our customer's paperwork carefully before it is sent to the USDA for endorsement. If you are arranging your pet move on your own, you will need to double (and triple!) check your veterinarian's work. If you don't, the USDA will return the documents to you unendorsed. You don't want this to happen because then your Fido can't depart on time! Make sure all dates are written correctly, microchip numbers match up to microchip paperwork, your pet's age on the 7001 matches what's on his vaccination records ( you wouldn't believe how often this is incorrect!), etc. If you must make a correction to the paperwork, have your vet draw a single line through the error and initial somewhere next to the correction. When in doubt, or if your health certificate starts to resemble a 7 year old's doodles, start over with a new health certificate!
5. Take by hand or send in your paperwork to the USDA. Depending on where your state veterinary service office is, you can either go into the office in person to obtain the endorsement or you can send it in via FedEx. If you are going to take your documents in, you will want to call about a week in advance to make sure they will allow you to come in and to make an appointment. If you are sending your paperwork in, you will need to include some sort of payment information. The USDA does not take checks. You might consider writing a coversheet with your contact information instructing them to call for a credit card number. Also, keep in mind that if you do not include a return envelope, the USDA will send it back via US Postal Service. If you need your paperwork returned sooner (which most people do), include a pre-addressed FedEx overnight envelope with your paperwork. The USDA typically will stamp documents on the same day or the following day after they receive them.
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Wonderful post- thank you!
Glad you found it useful! Cheers!
I'd read that the 7001 doesn't need to be endorsed by the USDA. Is there ever a situation where that would be the case?
:-$
For domestic travel within the US, you will never need a USDA-endorsed health certificate.
For international travel, it all depends on where you are traveling to.
No matter what you will need at least one health certificate stamped by the USDA -- whether this is a 7001 health certificate (which is used for entry into most countries), or an EU 998 form (for the EU), or a special health certificate issued by another country, the process is still the same for getting it issued and endorsed by the USDA.
Typically, though, most people need to get a 7001 and get it endorsed by the USDA prior to travel.
Let us know if you have additional questions!
Thank you for posting this! I found it very informative and helpful!
I am a volunteer rescued dog Transport Coordinator. As a TC, I'm responsible for mapping out and arranging transports from point A to point B, typically interstate, that consist of multiple legs (average 70-80 miles in length and 6 legs/day), overnight stays, and finding multiple volunteers to drive these legs and/or keep the canine passengers overnight.
We (responsible volunteer TC's) are finding that in an attempt to hinder puppy mill practices, more and more states are battening down the hatches in regards to the transport of domestic animals. Therefore, we require that the involved animal rescue provide the passenger with a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (aka "health certificate" as most call it) if the passenger is crossing state lines. Many rescues still buck the system and laws and refuse to obtain a certificate, but are finding fewer and fewer volunteers will assist with their efforts because of it. From what I understand, a driver can be heavily fined if caught transporting over state lines without one, and the dogs also risk being seized and taken to the local municipal shelter.
All that said, I'm so happy to hear that it's not only us "controlling" coordinators that know this is the right and legal thing to do. Thanks again!
Tanya K., pupsavr4life@cox.net
Pet Relocation said:"For domestic travel within the US, you will never need a USDA-endorsed health certificate." Okay, but most states require an HC to cross state lines. That's what I've always heard, anyway. States in the NE, particularly MA, have cited drivers before for not having the appropriate "Certificate of Veterinary Inspection". Does each individual STATE have their own form? Does the vet have to have some sort of special accreditation with the state to obtain the state forms??
Very confused. I only handle domestic transports.
The questioner had said that they read somewhere that the 7001 doesn't need to be endorsed - which is why we said that you never need a USDA-endorsed certificate. The endorsement is only required for international travle. You do, however, need a regular health certificate certifying that the pet is healthy to cross state lines for domestic pet transport and pet travel.
Not every state has their own individual form, but some do. The states that I know of who have their own individual forms are California and North Carolina. These specific forms are appropriate for both interstate and international pet transport.
However, domesticaly you just want to make sure you have some sort of document issued within 10 days of transport and signed by a vet stating that the pet is healthy to cross state lines.
I hope this helps! : ) Please let us know if you have any additional questions!
I am driving across the U.S. from Ca. to GA, I have three cats, and four African Sulcatta tortoises. Do I need health certificates for my pets. I do not want to get stopped at a state border and not be allowed to enter a state with my pets.
Hello, Question. Exporting a dog to Mexico I understand. Need the USDA Certificate dated within 10 days (did that before). What is unclear is: If we stay in Mexico for 6 months, how do I get a USDA Certificate to get the dog back into the states ? Thank you for your help. Great web site ! Jeff
Hi Jeff,
I'm glad you found our site useful.
You do not need a USDA certificate to get back into the US. You will need a health certificate from a local vet in Mexico if you are going to fly your pets back (the airline will require a health certificate). However, the USDA 7001 certificate is only necessary for pets being exported from the US.
Hope this answers your questions!
Cheers!
I am unable to locate any vet with an APHIS Form 7001 in Arizona. Banfield in PetSmart has had them on order for over 6 months. Do you have any suggestions? I am moving to Panama with 2 dogs the 1st of Feb, 2010.
Hi Norris. That's really odd, usually it's pretty easy to find a vet with them. You could try calling the State USDA office in Arizona to see why they haven't sent the certificates to Banfield yet.
Here is their info:
Area Veterinarian-in-Charge
USDA, APHIS, VS
1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 245
Tempe, AZ 85282-5694
(480) 491-1002
Fax (480) 491-1895
Let us know what you find out!
Also, what city in AZ are you located in? We could refer you to a vet nearby who has the USDA 7001 certificates if we knew your city.
A vet does not have to be USDA-accredited to issue a health certificate for interstate travel.
Unfortunately, the USDA doesn't seem to have created a listing of USDA-accredited veterinarians. Most vets however are typically accredited. You can ask your vet to call the state USDA office if they are unsure and they can tell them whether or not they are accredited.
I see no justification for the USDA withholding the computerized listing from the public. However, their website does invite you to ask them for vets in your area that are accredited; see: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/vet_accreditation/locate_av.shtml .