Moving With Pets to Another State: Rules, Steps and a Checklist

Moving with pets to another state takes three things: meeting your new state’s entry rules, choosing a safe way to travel, and keeping your pet calm through the move. The rules come from the state you are moving to, not the federal government. Many states ask for a health certificate from a veterinarian and proof of rabies vaccination, so book a vet visit as soon as you have a move date.

This guide covers the paperwork, traveling by car or plane, the special rules for Hawaii, and a checklist from eight weeks out to your first week in the new home.

Moving with pets at a glance

What paperwork do pets need to move to another state?

Each state or territory sets its own rules for animals coming in. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) says domestic movement requirements are set by the receiving state, and it lists each state’s rules on its state animal entry requirements page.

For dogs and cats, the documents most often asked for are:

• A health certificate. Its formal name is a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI). A vet examines your pet and confirms it is healthy enough to travel. Many states and airlines only accept one issued within a short window before travel, so check the deadline before you book the appointment.
• Proof of rabies vaccination. Bring the signed rabies certificate, not just a tag.
• Medical records. Vaccine history, recent test results and a list of medications help your new vet and any emergency clinic on the road.

Not every vet can issue the certificate a state requires, so ask your clinic early. Birds, reptiles, fish and livestock often have different or stricter rules. If you cannot find your destination’s rules, contact that state’s animal health official, as APHIS recommends. Add these tasks to your moving out of state checklist so they are not left to the last week.

How to move with pets across the country by car

Driving is the most common way to move pets across the country, and it keeps them with you the whole way.

1. Get your pet used to the crate or carrier. Leave it open at home for a few weeks with bedding and treats inside, then take short practice drives.
2. Secure the crate. Strap it down in the back seat or cargo area so it cannot slide or tip. Never let a pet ride loose or in the front seat near an airbag.
3. Book pet-friendly hotels in advance. Confirm the pet fee, weight limit and number of pets allowed for every overnight stop.
4. Plan regular stops. Build in time for water, bathroom breaks and short walks on a leash. The moving time calculator helps you plan driving days.
5. Never leave a pet alone in a parked car. The inside of a car heats up fast, even on a mild day.
6. Keep ID on your pet. Use a collar tag with your cell phone number, since your home address is about to change.

Moving companies do not carry pets in the moving truck, so plan to have your animals with you or with a pet transport service.

Flying with pets to another state

Flying is faster, but each airline sets its own pet rules. Before you book, ask the airline about:

• Whether your pet can ride in the cabin, and the carrier size limit that fits under the seat.
• Whether larger pets can travel as checked baggage or cargo on your route, and any breed or temperature restrictions.
• The fee, how many pets are allowed per flight, and the health certificate deadline.

Under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s service animal rule, a service animal is a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Emotional support animals are no longer treated as service animals on flights, so airlines can apply their regular pet rules and fees to them.

Using a pet transport service

Pet transport companies move animals by ground or air when you cannot take them yourself. APHIS regulates businesses that transport pets for owners, so ask any company you consider for its USDA license or registration. Also ask how often the animal gets breaks, whether it travels with other pets, and how you will get updates on the trip.

Moving to Hawaii with pets

Hawaii is rabies-free, and it has the strictest pet entry rules of any state. Dogs and cats that do not meet every requirement can be held in quarantine for up to 120 days after arrival. Pets that qualify for Hawaii’s 5 Day or Less program can be released much sooner, often at the airport.

To qualify, a dog or cat needs:

• Two rabies vaccinations with proof.
• A passing FAVN rabies antibody blood test, with at least 30 days between that test and arrival.
• At least 30 days between the most recent rabies vaccination and arrival.
• Its documents, including the AQS-279 form, received at least 10 days before arrival.

Source: Hawaii Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine Station, checked October 2026. Fees and rules can change, so confirm before you book.

Because the timing adds up, start preparing a pet for Hawaii several months ahead. Hawaii’s guidance notes that a newborn puppy or kitten will be about six months old by the time preparations are complete.

Moving day with pets

• Keep pets in a closed room with a sign on the door, or with a friend or sitter, while doors are open and boxes are moving.
• Pack their food, water, bowls, leash, litter, medications and a favorite toy in a bag that rides with you.
• Feed a light meal a few hours before a long drive.
• Take a current photo of each pet in case one gets lost on the way.

Settling pets into your new home

Start with one room set up with familiar bedding, toys, food and litter before you give your pet the whole house. Walk the yard and check for gaps in fences, open vents and anything toxic left behind.

Then handle the paperwork side:

• Update the microchip. Log in to the microchip registry and change your address and phone number.
• Get a local license. Many cities and counties require a dog license. Check with your new city or county.
• Find a new vet. Transfer records and set up a first visit before your pet needs one.
• Update the rest of your address list. Pet insurance, pharmacy and food deliveries belong on your change of address checklist.

Your own arrival paperwork, such as your driver’s license and vehicle registration, has its own deadlines. See new-resident deadlines by state and your first 30 days after moving.

Moving with pets checklist

• Look up your destination state’s pet entry rules.
• Confirm your new home allows your pets, and note any breed, size or number limits.
• Book a vet visit for vaccines, records and the health certificate.
• Refill medications for at least the trip and the first weeks after.
• Check the microchip and put a tag with your cell number on the collar.
• Choose car, plane or pet transport, and book pet-friendly hotels or flights.
• Practice with the crate or carrier.
• Pack a pet travel kit that stays with you.
• Keep pets secured and away from open doors on moving day.
• Update the microchip, license and vet after you arrive.

Moving with pets FAQs

Do I need a health certificate to move my dog to another state?

Often, yes. Each state sets its own entry rules, and many ask for a certificate of veterinary inspection and proof of rabies vaccination. Check your destination state’s rules on the APHIS state requirements page.

How do I move my cat across the country?

Most people drive with the cat in a secured carrier, with a small litter box available at stops. Get the cat used to the carrier weeks ahead, and book pet-friendly hotels for overnight stops.

Can movers transport my pet?

No. Moving companies do not carry pets in the moving truck. Take them with you, or hire a pet transport company that is licensed or registered with the USDA.

Is an emotional support animal a service animal on a plane?

No. Under the Department of Transportation’s rule, only a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability counts as a service animal. Airlines can treat emotional support animals as pets.

How long is pet quarantine in Hawaii?

Up to 120 days for dogs and cats that do not meet Hawaii’s requirements. Pets that qualify for the 5 Day or Less program can be released much sooner, often at the Honolulu airport.

When should I start preparing to move with pets?

Six to eight weeks before the move for most states, and several months ahead for Hawaii.

Planning guide only. Pet entry rules, airline policies and fees change. Confirm current requirements with your destination state, your airline and your veterinarian before you travel.