Arriving in New Jersey with a dog

Health certificate Required

New Jersey requires a health certificate for dogs from a veterinarian licensed in the country of origin, completed and signed no more than 30 days before travel. It must state that the dog is free from rabies and other communicable disease and has not recently been exposed to any such disease, and give breed, sex, age, point of origin, point of destination and the owner’s name and address (for vaccinated dogs also type and date of vaccination). New Jersey does not require endorsement by an authority. It can be the same certificate the airline requires, if it also contains these details and meets the airline’s deadline.

Registration Required

Anyone staying in New Jersey for more than 10 days with an unlicensed dog must register it with the municipality; from 7 months of age licensing is mandatory and requires a current rabies vaccination. This obligation applies after arrival, not before.

⚠️ New Jersey does not specifically require rabies vaccination for import — it becomes mandatory via municipal licensing: "Although rabies vaccination is not specifically required for importation of dogs into the State…"

Import permit Required

No classic import permit needed, but the CDC Dog Import Form is mandatory for all dogs: complete online at cdc.gov/importation/dogs before travel (DogBot); allow 2–10 business days; bring the receipt to the airport.

Microchip Required

Yes – readable by universal scanner

Minimum age / young animals Required

Dogs: minimum age 6 months (CDC requirement).

Health certificate Required

Not required by CDC, but by most airlines (usually issued within 7–10 days of travel) and by some states. Check your airline’s deadline before booking; states we have captured are listed below under “Additional rules”.