Pet Travel Health Certificates
Most travel certificate problems are timing problems: an exam booked too early, or a requirement found too late. Petfolk Johns Creek, at Medley in Johns Creek Town Center, issues health certificates through accredited veterinarians and helps you plan the timeline from your destination's rules.
Contact our Johns Creek clinic two to four weeks before you travel.
Call (470) 964-6691 or book online. Open 8am–6pm, seven days a week.
When to go to a 24-hour emergency hospital
A travel certificate isn't an emergency service. If your pet becomes ill just before a trip, with vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing, or collapse, get care first. Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital for anything severe, and postpone the trip until your pet is cleared.
Petfolk Johns Creek is open 8am to 6pm, seven days a week. We don't provide overnight care, so anything that can't wait until morning belongs at a 24-hour emergency hospital.
Domestic Trips and International Travel
A health certificate, also called a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, confirms your pet is healthy and meets the destination's requirements.
Domestic: Petfolk says domestic certificates are typically valid for 10 days from the exam. Airlines add their own rules, and states set their own entry requirements, so check both.
International: each country sets its own rules. Many require a microchip placed before or with the rabies vaccine, and some need blood tests with waiting periods. Most international certificates also need USDA endorsement after the vet signs, which can take several days.
USDA APHIS's pet travel overview walks through the health certificate and endorsement process for international trips.
Flying Out of Hartsfield-Jackson
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International is the world's busiest airport and Delta's hub, with nonstop flights to destinations around the world. For Johns Creek families, that puts international trips, and international paperwork, within easy reach.
Two rules to check early:
Coming back to the U.S.: the CDC sets rules for dogs entering or returning to the United States, including age, microchip, and documentation requirements. Check them before you leave, not on the way home.
Mexico: rules for dogs traveling between the U.S. and Mexico have changed recently because of New World screwworm. Check USDA APHIS for the current requirements before you book.
When You May Not Need a Certificate
Driving within Georgia, with no boarding, show, or airline involved
A request for rabies records only, which is a records request, not a certificate. You can view your pet's vaccine history in the Petfolk app.
Driving to another state is different. Petfolk notes that requirements vary by state, so check every state you'll pass through.
Booking too early is also a problem. A certificate signed six weeks before departure will usually expire before you go.
How to Prepare for the Exam
Check the destination's and airline's rules, then share what you find with the clinic.
Find the signed rabies certificate, not just the tag. Request it early from a previous clinic if needed.
Confirm the microchip number. If your pet needs one, it can be placed during the visit.
Book the exam inside your destination's window.
Have your flight date, airline, and destination address ready, spelled as they appear on the booking.
What Happens at the Travel Exam
You'll go straight to an exam room, which helps a pet who's already picking up on travel stress. Our Gentle Handling team keeps the visit calm, and a pet that's used to its carrier makes the visit easier.
The vet confirms your destination, dates, and mode of travel.
Your pet gets a full physical exam to confirm it's fit to travel.
The vet reviews vaccination records and gives any needed vaccines.
The microchip is scanned to confirm the number matches the paperwork.
The vet completes and signs the certificate, and it's sent for USDA endorsement if your destination requires it.
Flat-faced breeds, very young or senior pets, and pets with some health conditions may not be good candidates for air travel. The vet can help you decide.
“It was very easy setting up an appointment. ... Vet we saw was very thorough and went through everything with me.”
— Brianna G., Petfolk client
What a Health Certificate Costs Depends On
The exam fee
Certificate preparation
Any vaccines your pet needs
A microchip, if your destination requires one
USDA endorsement for international travel
Your total depends on the trip. The clinic will give you an estimate based on your destination. PetfolkCare members get exams covered up to $99 per visit and 10% off vaccines.
Plan the Paperwork Before You Pack
Tell Petfolk Johns Creek where you're headed and when, and the team will help you book the exam inside the right window. Call (470) 964-6691 or book online.