Pet Import Laws in New Hampshire: What You Need to Know Before You Arrive
June 2, 2026
Moving to New Hampshire with a pet takes more preparation than most people expect. The Granite State has specific rules about which documents must travel with your animal, what vaccinations need to be current, and which exotic species require a permit — or are banned outright.
Whether you’re relocating from across the country or arriving from outside the United States, understanding New Hampshire’s pet import requirements before you cross the state line protects your animal, keeps you legally compliant, and prevents delays at your destination. This guide walks you through every requirement, species by species, so you can arrive prepared.
What Documents Do You Need to Bring a Pet Into New Hampshire
The foundation of any pet import into New Hampshire is a properly completed health certificate. A certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI), also known as a health certificate, is an official document issued by a federal, state, tribal, or accredited veterinarian certifying that the animals identified on the document have been inspected and were found to satisfy the regulations pertaining to their intended movement — within the same state, between states, or internationally.
For dogs, cats, and ferrets specifically, New Hampshire law defines what that certificate must contain. An official health certificate means a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian, containing the name and address of the entity transferring ownership, the age, gender, breed, microchip number, tattoo number, ear tag number, or physical description of the dog, cat, or ferret, and the certification of the veterinarian that the animal is free from evidence of communicable diseases or internal or external parasites. A list of all vaccines and medications administered shall be included on or attached to the certificate.
Beyond the health certificate itself, here is a summary of the core documents you should have ready for any pet entering New Hampshire:
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by a licensed veterinarian
- Proof of current rabies vaccination (for dogs, cats, and ferrets three months of age and older)
- Vaccination records for species-specific core vaccines (DHPP for dogs, FVRCP for cats)
- A permit from the NH Fish and Game Department (for controlled wildlife species)
- A bird import permit from the NH Department of Agriculture (for birds)
Pro Tip: Make photocopies and digital backups of every document before you travel. If paperwork is lost in transit, having backup copies can prevent your pet from being held or turned away.
New Hampshire also uses an electronic system for certain transfers. The StateVet Portal is the vehicle for creating Official Certificates of Transfer (OCT), a document required for the transfer of dogs, cats, and ferrets to the public in New Hampshire. An OCT shall be created in the StateVet Portal by a New Hampshire licensed veterinarian for each dog, cat, or ferret transferred from one owner to another. If you are receiving a pet from a rescue or shelter from out of state, confirm whether this applies to your situation before your animal arrives.
Dog Import Requirements in New Hampshire
Dogs are among the most regulated pets when it comes to interstate movement, and New Hampshire has clear standards for what must accompany any dog entering the state. If you’re planning a move, start gathering paperwork at least a few weeks before your departure date.
A CVI from an accredited veterinarian must certify that the dog is free from visual evidence of contagious and infectious diseases and document current DHPP administered within the last year but no sooner than 7 days prior to importation, along with proof of rabies vaccination for dogs three months of age and older.
New Hampshire state law reinforces this requirement. New Hampshire law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. If an owner does not vaccinate his or her pet, he or she is guilty of a violation, similar to a speeding ticket.
Once your dog is settled in New Hampshire, you will also need to register the animal with your local municipality. State law requires dog owners to purchase an annual license from the municipality they live in. Municipalities may also technically require a license for cats, but few, if any, municipalities actually license cats. Failing to license a dog is a violation, and local authorities may seize an unlicensed dog. If the owner does not license the dog within seven days, the dog is forfeited.
Important Note: Your dog’s DHPP vaccine must have been administered within the past year but no fewer than 7 days before you cross into New Hampshire. Timing matters — plan your vet visit accordingly.
New Hampshire’s dog laws were last checked and updated by legal researchers as of January 2026, so the licensing and vaccination framework described here reflects current statute. For the most current municipal licensing fees and deadlines, contact your destination town or city clerk directly. You can also review pit bull laws in New Hampshire if you own a breed that may be subject to local breed-specific ordinances.
Cat Import Requirements in New Hampshire
Cats entering New Hampshire follow a similar documentation framework to dogs, with a few species-specific differences in the required vaccines. The good news is that the process is straightforward if you plan ahead.
A CVI from an accredited veterinarian must certify that the cat is free from visual evidence of contagious and infectious diseases and document current FVRCP administered within the last year but no sooner than 7 days prior to importation, along with proof of rabies vaccination for cats three months of age and older. Kittens under 8 weeks of age are not permitted to be transported.
If your cat is being transferred through a rescue organization or shelter, additional rules apply. Once a dog, cat, or ferret intended for transfer has entered the state, it shall be held at least 48 hours at a facility licensed under RSA 437 or at a facility operated by a licensed veterinarian, separated from other animals on the premises, before being offered for transfer.
Cats with certain medical conditions can still be transferred into New Hampshire under specific conditions. The transferee may accept a dog, cat, or ferret that has a noncontagious illness, or feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus, which has caused it to fail its examination by a licensed veterinarian for an official health certificate. The transferee shall sign a waiver that indicates the transferee has knowledge of such animal’s noncontagious medical condition and then submit such waiver to the licensee who shall send a copy to the state veterinarian.
Key Insight: Unlike dogs, cats are generally not required to be licensed by New Hampshire municipalities. However, your cat still needs a valid CVI and current rabies and FVRCP vaccinations to legally enter the state.
If you’re curious about other feline regulations in the state, the neighbors’ cat in my yard laws in New Hampshire covers what rights you and your neighbors have once cats are settled in the community.
Bird and Exotic Pet Import Requirements in New Hampshire
Bringing birds or exotic animals into New Hampshire involves a separate regulatory layer beyond the standard CVI. The state takes a careful approach to non-traditional pets, particularly because of the risk invasive or escaped animals can pose to local ecosystems.
Birds
Birds entering New Hampshire are subject to a permitting requirement that must be fulfilled before the animal crosses the state line. Permits for importation of birds into the state shall be obtained from the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, Division of Animal Industry. All birds entering the state shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection from the state or country of origin. All certificates required shall be countersigned by the appropriate regulatory authority of the state or country of origin. One copy of each certificate shall accompany all shipments of birds. Certificates are acceptable only if issued no more than 30 days prior to the date of entry.
You can reach the Division of Animal Industry at: PO Box 2042, Concord, NH 03302-2042, or by phone at 603-271-2404. Apply for your bird import permit well in advance of your move date, as processing takes time.
Exotic and Wildlife Species
New Hampshire divides non-domestic animals into three categories: non-controlled (no permit needed), controlled (permit required), and prohibited (banned from import entirely).
Under New Hampshire regulations, a permit to possess wildlife shall not be required for any person to possess wildlife designated as non-controlled — species such as aquarium fish, amphibians, reptiles (except for alligators, crocodiles, and venomous species), many pet birds, small pet mammals like gerbils and hamsters, and certain ungulates.
A person must possess a permit to possess any live wildlife, or their hybrids, designated as controlled. The controlled species list includes many wild turtles and salamanders, alligators, crocodiles, badgers, bears, cougars, coyotes, elephants, and others.
There are also a few species that are banned entirely from being imported into New Hampshire. These include invasive species like zebra mussels and Asiatic clams, as well as species already found in the state, like white-tailed deer and moose.
Under NH state law, animals on the controlled list can be owned or sold only by individuals with a permit from the Fish and Game Department. Permits are issued at the discretion of the executive director, who is supposed to consider whether the animal would pose a threat to other wildlife, the public, or to New Hampshire’s ecosystem if released.
Common Mistake: Assuming that because an exotic animal is legal in your home state, it’s automatically legal to bring into New Hampshire. Always verify the species against New Hampshire’s controlled and prohibited lists before you move.
For more on specific exotic animal ownership rules, see the hedgehog ownership laws in New Hampshire page. If you keep backyard animals, the goat ownership laws in New Hampshire and backyard chicken laws in New Hampshire are also worth reviewing before you arrive.
Requirements for Pets Coming From Outside the United States
If you are relocating to New Hampshire from another country, your pet faces a two-layer compliance process: federal import requirements at the U.S. border, followed by New Hampshire’s own state-level rules once you arrive.
Federal Entry Requirements
At the federal level, the agencies involved depend on your pet’s species. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the primary government authority for all dogs imported into the United States, including returning U.S.-origin dogs. For cats, federal requirements are more limited, though airline and state rules still apply.
For most international moves, a federally accredited veterinarian and a USDA-endorsed health certificate are central to the process. For the purposes of international travel and trade, most foreign countries require that the health certificate be issued — completed, signed, and dated — by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before being endorsed by APHIS. When you are arriving in the U.S. from abroad, the destination country’s requirements work in reverse: you must meet the U.S. and state-level standards rather than the country you are leaving.
Every country has its own set of health requirements for pets that may require your pet to get a microchip, specific vaccinations, or undergo certain tests. Make sure your records document all of these clearly before departure, as U.S. border officials and New Hampshire state authorities will want to see a complete paper trail.
Microchipping
International arrivals are strongly advised to have their pets microchipped with an ISO-standard chip. If your veterinary clinic does not carry ISO microchips, you may purchase one from a pet travel retailer and bring it to your vet for insertion. Look specifically for ISO standard 11784 and 11785-compliant microchips. Once in New Hampshire, that microchip number should match what appears on your pet’s health certificate and transfer documents.
Birds and Exotic Animals From Abroad
If you’re traveling with a pet bird or exotic animal, you may need to work with additional agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This is separate from and in addition to New Hampshire’s own bird import permit requirement. Start the process as early as possible — international paperwork for birds and exotic species can take months to complete.
Pro Tip: Contact the USDA APHIS Pet Travel line and the NH Division of Animal Industry simultaneously when planning an international move with a pet. These agencies have different timelines and requirements, and you will need both cleared before your animal can settle legally in New Hampshire.
For a comparison of how other states handle pet imports, see the guides on pet import laws in New Jersey and pet import laws in Pennsylvania, two neighboring states with their own distinct frameworks.
How to Find a Federally Accredited Vet Before You Move
Not every veterinarian can issue the paperwork required for interstate or international pet movement. Finding the right vet before you move is one of the most important steps in the process.
A USDA-accredited veterinarian has completed formal training from the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) in the state or states they are licensed to practice medicine in. Accreditation is state-specific and voluntary — not all veterinarians are accredited.
Here is how to locate one:
- Use the NVAP self-search tool. Use the NVAP self-search tool for finding accredited veterinarians in your area. Note that not all accredited veterinarians in your area may appear in the search, since not all accredited veterinarians allow USDA-APHIS to release their information publicly.
- Call your current vet’s office. Call and ask your local veterinarian if they or another veterinarian in their practice is accredited, or if they know of someone who is. Contact other local veterinary practices to ask them if they have an accredited veterinarian on staff.
- Verify state-specific accreditation. Make sure your USDA-accredited veterinarian is accredited in the state you are seeing them in. APHIS cannot endorse your health certificate if your veterinarian is not accredited in the state where they are practicing medicine.
- Contact your state’s NVAP coordinator. Contact your state’s NVAP coordinator to confirm your veterinarian’s accreditation status.
It is worth noting that APHIS does not set requirements or endorse health certificates for the movement of pets across state or territorial lines. For interstate moves, your accredited vet is issuing the CVI under state authority, not federal. The federal accreditation matters most when you are also crossing an international border.
A certificate of veterinary inspection is needed to transport animals between states or countries. Different requirements apply, depending on the destination. Always schedule your vet appointment as close to your departure date as possible to keep the CVI within the valid window — typically no more than 30 days before entry, and for dogs no sooner than 7 days before entry into New Hampshire.
Key Insight: If you are moving to New Hampshire from another state and plan to get a new vet after arrival, your current vet needs to issue the CVI before you leave — not after you arrive. The certificate must accompany the animal during transport.
For reference on how neighboring and comparable states handle the same process, the guides on pet import laws in Massachusetts and pet import laws in Ohio offer useful side-by-side context. You might also check pet import laws in Colorado or pet import laws in Georgia if you are relocating from those states.
Who to Contact in New Hampshire Before You Arrive With a Pet
Knowing which agency handles which type of animal saves you time and prevents you from being redirected at the last minute. New Hampshire splits pet import oversight across several offices, and reaching out before you move gives you the chance to confirm any requirements that may have changed.
NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food — Division of Animal Industry
This is your primary contact for dogs, cats, ferrets, and birds. The division is responsible for regulating transfer of animals customarily used as household pets under RSA 437, and coordinates with sister state agencies as well as the USDA and other federal agencies.
To find out the requirements to send an animal into New Hampshire or from New Hampshire into another U.S. state, the Division of Animal Industry recommends checking the USDA State and Territory Import Regulations website and the Interstate Animal Movement Requirements resource, which includes livestock.
- Mailing address: PO Box 2042, Concord, NH 03302-2042
- Phone: 603-271-2404
- Website: agriculture.nh.gov — Animal Industry Division
NH Fish and Game Department
For controlled or potentially prohibited wildlife species, the Fish and Game Department is the permitting authority. Under NH state law, animals on the controlled list can be owned or sold only by individuals with a permit from the Fish and Game Department. Contact them before you move if you own any species that might fall under the controlled or prohibited categories.
- Website: wildlife.state.nh.us
- Phone: 603-271-3421
USDA APHIS — For International Arrivals
If your pet is coming from outside the United States, contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country’s entry requirements for pets, including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments, as well as the issuance of health certificates and status updates on certificate endorsement.
- APHIS Pet Travel website: aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
- APHIS customer service: 1-844-820-2234
Your Destination Municipality
Once you arrive in New Hampshire, your local town or city clerk’s office is where you register your dog. Dog licensing is required by state law, and the annual fee and deadline vary by municipality. Contact your destination town hall as soon as you have a confirmed address to find out the local registration window and fee schedule.
For additional context on New Hampshire’s animal laws more broadly, see the state-specific guides on roadkill laws in New Hampshire, beekeeping laws in New Hampshire, and rooster crowing laws in New Hampshire. If you’re moving from another state and want to compare requirements side by side, the guides on pet import laws in North Carolina, pet import laws in Michigan, and pet import laws in Washington are solid starting points.
Arriving in New Hampshire with your pet fully documented and legally compliant means one less thing to worry about during an already busy move. Reach out to the relevant agencies early, schedule your vet appointment at the right time, and keep every document organized and accessible throughout your journey.