Verifying Immunization Records
Page originally published 6/4/2026.
Schools, childcare centers, and healthcare providers must only accept valid immunization records prior to transcription and/or enrollment. Immunization records that do not meet the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requirements, or are determined to be altered or falsified, may not be accepted.
On this page:
The following are examples of immunization records that are generally acceptable, as long as they are complete, authentic, and verifiable:
- Original immunization record(s)
- Official immunization record from a foreign country (must be in English or accompanied by certified translation)
- California Immunization Registry (CAIR2) record – verified in CAIR2 and/or School and Childcare Roster Lookup (SCRL)
- Record from other U.S. state immunization registry
- Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccine Record Report
- U.S. Department of State Vaccination Documentation Worksheet
- Electronic health record (EHR) where complete proof is shown
- School records (e.g., Blue Card, or another state’s school record or equivalent, valid from school to school only)
Reminder: All records must be legible, signed or stamped by a licensed provider, and include full name and date of birth of patient and specific names and dates of each vaccine given.
The following may warrant closer review and possible verification with the provider or parent/guardian.
Atypical documentation of vaccines administered by:
- A provider/clinic who does not typically offer routine childhood vaccinations (e.g., holistic or homeopathic-only providers).
- A provider/clinic that is no longer in operation or not seeing patients.
Unusual documentation patterns:
- Paper-only records (i.e., no CAIR2 entry) dated after April
2022 for vaccines received in California.
A Health and Safety Code 120440 mandated electronic reporting in CAIR2. - Photocopies or scanned images with no access to the original document.
- Foreign records showing only U.S. vaccine names, not following the schedule of the country of origin, and/or notarized translation without original-language documentation.
- Records with:
- Dates that appear typed over, altered, or formatted inconsistently.
- All entries written in the same handwriting or ink color.
- No provider signature or stamp.
Unusual vaccination patterns:
- Vaccinations given:
- Too early (before minimum age).
- Too close together (e.g., MMR given within 4 weeks of another MMR dose).
- Patients/students
who:
- Have a known history of submitting fraudulent or invalid records.
- Quickly come into compliance after previously having no documented vaccines, or after previously having no immunization history, or raised objections about immunizations.
- Have complete yellow card but have no record in CAIR2 for vaccination(s) received in California.
Recommended actions if a record does not meet CDPH requirements or you suspect a record may have been altered or falsified:
- Get a copy of the immunization record and/or any other supporting documentation until validity is resolved.
- Check CAIR2 records for verification. Do not enter immunization record into any electronic health records or immunization registry until validity is resolved.
- Attempt to contact provider to confirm they are currently in practice and inquire if person on immunization record was a patient and what vaccination services were rendered.
- Consult with your
organization’s leadership (e.g., board members, legal
counsel, etc.) if you cannot verify an immunization record
after attempts to contact provider and obtain other
supporting documentation.
- Authority lies within each organization to accept or reject immunization records based upon California laws, requirements and codes.
- Request a consultation from,
or report confirmed or highly suspicious records, to the
County of San Diego Immunization Unit.
- Email PHS-IZPHS.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov.
- Subject Line: Immunization Record Validity
- Do not leave any private health information on unencrypted emails.
- Email PHS-IZPHS.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov.
County of San Diego
Healthcare Providers
Schools/Childcare Centers
- Shots for Schools (CDPH)
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Contact the San Diego Immunization Unit via e-mail or call (866) 358-2966 for more information or to request materials.
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