USDA Animal Health Export Certificate Apostille

Issuing agency

USDA — APHIS Veterinary Services

We can obtain it?

No — an accredited vet issues it; APHIS endorses it

Certification first?

Yes — APHIS endorsement, before the Department of State

Also known as

APHIS export health certificate, veterinary export certificate

When you export live animals, breeding stock, or animal products — or relocate a pet internationally — the destination country requires a veterinary health certificate endorsed by USDA APHIS. Some countries additionally require that endorsement to be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State before they'll accept it.

What a USDA animal health export certificate is

An animal health export certificate is issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. It certifies that the animal or animal product meets the destination country's health requirements — vaccinations, testing, and inspection — so it can clear that country's border. Because the requirements and validity windows are set by the importing country and tied to the shipment, these certificates are highly date-sensitive.

Why it needs an apostille abroad

A foreign authority cannot verify a U.S. federal document on its own. The apostille, issued by the U.S. Department of State, certifies it as genuine for use across the 120-plus Hague Convention countries. Non-Hague destinations need that authentication followed by embassy or consulate legalization — the same document, a longer path.

Getting the certificate issued and endorsed

A USDA-accredited veterinarian examines the animal and issues the health certificate; USDA APHIS Veterinary Services then endorses it (increasingly through APHIS's electronic system). We can't issue or endorse the certificate, but once you have the APHIS-endorsed certificate, we authenticate it. Because these move on a tight timeline, the sooner you tell us your travel or shipment date, the better.

Document preparation requirements

• Submit the APHIS-endorsed certificate exactly as issued.
• Do not alter, annotate, or add to the certificate.
• Confirm the destination's exact requirements with your veterinarian before endorsement.
• Move quickly — the validity window is short and tied to your shipment/travel date.

The step-by-step process

1. Accredited vet issues the certificate

   A USDA-accredited veterinarian examines the animal or product and issues the health certificate to the destination's requirements.

2. APHIS endorses it

   USDA APHIS Veterinary Services endorses the certificate.

3. Send it to us immediately

   Because validity is short, send us the endorsed certificate as soon as it's issued. We review and submit same-cycle where possible.

4. We apostille it in D.C.

   We hand-deliver the endorsed certificate to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications.

5. Apostille issued & returned

   You receive the apostille (or authentication for non-Hague countries), returned by tracked courier — with embassy legalization and translation arranged where required.

Common rejection reasons — and how to avoid them

Common uses

• Exporting live animals and livestock — breeding stock, poultry, and commercial shipments.
• International pet relocation — moving a pet to a country that requires an apostilled health certificate.
• Animal genetics and products — semen, embryos, and other animal products for export.
• Trade and breeding programs — qualifying animals for foreign registries or programs.

Hague vs. non-Hague countries

We authenticate for any destination — see all countries we serve.

Official references: USDA APHIS — Animal Export · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document. Government fees are set by these agencies and are separate from our service fee.