Rabies vaccine, titer and certificate rules for dogs entering the U.S.
Vaccine age and timing
- First rabies vaccine at 12 weeks (84 days) or older (or later if the vaccine is licensed only for older dogs). For dogs from high-risk countries, shots given before 12 weeks are not accepted.
- A first vaccine must be given at least 28 days before entering (foreign-vaccinated) or leaving the U.S. (U.S.-vaccinated).
- Boosters count immediately if there was no lapse in coverage.
- The microchip must go in before the vaccine, or the vaccine is invalid for CDC purposes.
(CDC: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries; CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations)
Which document?
| Situation | Rabies document |
|---|---|
| Only low-risk countries | None required by CDC (CDC still strongly recommends vaccination) |
| High-risk, U.S.-vaccinated | Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form (USDA-endorsed) |
| High-risk, foreign-vaccinated | Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, endorsed by an official government vet, signed ≤30 days before travel, single use |
Rabies titer (foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries)
- Blood drawn at least 30 days after the first valid vaccine and at least 28 days before U.S. entry.
- Must go to a CDC-approved laboratory; other labs are not accepted. Results must come directly from the approved lab (not relayed by a third-party lab), and CDC suggests collecting the sample at least 60 days before travel because turnaround times vary (CDC: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories).
- If the lab that tested your dog is later dropped from CDC's list, you need a new result from a currently approved lab (CDC: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories).
- A passing titer is valid for life as long as vaccination never lapses and the lab stays approved.
- No valid titer means a 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility (some personal pets may qualify for a shorter quarantine through a CDC-approved serologic monitoring process).
(CDC: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries; CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations)
Documents not in English need a certified English translation. (CDC: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries)
Sources
- CDC: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries
- CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations
- CDC: Instructions for USDA-accredited Veterinarians (U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form)
- CDC: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs
More guides
- Airline and CDC timing: a countdown for flying your dog into the U.S.
- CDC Dog Import Form: step-by-step guide (2026)
- Bringing a dog from Colombia to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)
- Common reasons dogs are denied entry to the U.S. (and how to avoid them)
- Microchip rules for dogs entering the U.S. (is ISO required?)
- CDC high-risk countries for dog rabies: the list explained
- Bringing a dog from Mexico to the U.S. (CDC rules for 2026)
- Bringing a dog from the Philippines to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)
- U.S. dog entry requirements by risk category (comparison table)
- Returning to the U.S. with your U.S.-vaccinated dog from a high-risk country
- Bringing a dog from Thailand to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)