One Health Epidemiology Program | Office of Vital Records and Statistics

California Entrance Requirements for Dogs

Last updated on 7/10/2025.

A dog sitting next to a travel carrier.

By law, there are requirements to bring dogs:

  • Into California either to or from another U.S. state/territory, or 
  • To or from another country. 

This is to help make sure that animals do not carry serious diseases, such as rabies, across or between states, territories, or countries. Visit the California Department of Food and Agriculture for information about bringing livestock into California. 

On this page, requirements:

Requirements for Dogs Entering California from Another U.S. State or Territory

  • Notifications to the County of San Diego are not needed for dogs arriving with their owner from another state.
  • Dogs brought into San Diego County for the intent of sale, or change of ownership, need:
    • Current rabies vaccination certificate for dogs over 4 months of age.
    • A health certificate (also known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) completed by an accredited, licensed veterinarian within 10 days before the dog arrives to California.
    • The person transporting the dog must send the health certificate within 7 days of the dog’s arrival to:

County of San Diego                                                                                                                              Mail Stop P577                                                                                                                                  ATT: One Health Epidemiology Program                                                                                                  Epidemiology Unit                                                                                                                                5530 Overland Avenue, Ste. 410                                                                                                            San Diego, CA 92123

Additional Requirements for Receiving Party

A receiving party, such as a pet store, rescue, owner, or breeder.

  • Contact the airline, or transportation company, for any additional requirements to transport dogs by commercial air or other transportation routes.
  • Visit the California Department of Public Health Importation and Exportation of Pet Animals website for state-specific information about moving pets from California to other U.S. states or territories. 

Enforcement

A complaint for a violation of Health & Safety Code Section 121720 can be made to your local animal control provider.

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Requirements for Dogs Entering California from Another Country

A dog laying in the grass.

There are federal requirements from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that oversee the international importation of pets.

Since August 1, 2024, dogs entering or returning to the U.S. must meet new, specific requirements depending on:

  • Where they have been in the 6 months before entering the U.S.,
  • Where they received their rabies vaccines (if required), and
  • When your dog will arrive in the United States.

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Requirements for Dogs Entering the U.S.

Dogs must:

  • Have a CDC Dog Import Form Receipt, and:
    • Be at least 6 months of age at time of entry or return to the U.S.
    • Be healthy upon arrival.
    • Have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip (implanted before any required rabies vaccinations).
  • Additional documents may be neccessary depending on whether the dog has been in a high-risk rabies country in the past 6 months before entering or returning to the United States, or if the dog has a current rabies vaccine administered in the U.S.

See all requirements and more information on the CDC's Bringing a Dog into the U.S. website.

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