APHIS endorsement delays: what to do if your certificate is not ready in time
Last updated: June 2026 · 5 min read
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Key facts at a glance
Why endorsements get delayed
Most delays come from one of three places: incomplete paperwork on the first submission, the destination country requiring a wet-ink original rather than a digital endorsement, or a submission landing just before a weekend or federal holiday when VEHCS processing stops entirely.
VEHCS processes submissions Monday through Friday from 7am to 4:30pm Central Time, excluding federal holidays. A certificate submitted Thursday afternoon at 4pm may not move until Monday morning. If your departure is Saturday, that certificate will not be endorsed in time — regardless of how complete and correct the paperwork is.
Some destinations require a wet-ink original, which means your veterinarian mails the physical paperwork to the APHIS endorsement office, and a prepaid return envelope gets the endorsed document back. Endorsement offices cannot confirm delivery or provide status updates on mailed documents. If the package goes missing in either direction, the certificate must be reissued through VEHCS from scratch by your veterinarian. That resets your entire timeline.
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How to track the status of your certificate
You cannot track it yourself. Pet owners have no direct access to VEHCS and cannot contact APHIS for individual updates. USDA's official position is that due to high volume, they cannot provide individual status updates to pet owners at all.
Your only channel is your accredited veterinarian. They submitted the certificate through VEHCS and can log in to check its current status. If you have not heard back and your departure is approaching, call your vet directly rather than trying to reach APHIS.
What to do if your certificate is not ready
APHIS itself recommends having a backup plan before you travel. The two options the agency lists: leave your pet with a caretaker, or adjust your travel dates. There is no escalation path, no emergency endorsement service for civilian pet travel, and no way to request priority processing.
Airlines will not board a pet without a complete, properly endorsed certificate when one is required. Arriving at the airport with an unendorsed certificate or a certificate in transit is not a situation that can be resolved at the check-in counter.
How to avoid the problem entirely
Three practical steps reduce delay risk significantly:
Digital submissions process faster, can be tracked by your vet, and eliminate the mail delay entirely. Confirm with your vet and your destination whether digital endorsement is accepted before scheduling the exam.
A Monday or Tuesday submission gives APHIS the full working week to process before a typical weekend departure. A Thursday or Friday submission risks landing over a weekend when VEHCS is closed.
VEHCS is closed on all US federal holidays, not just the major ones. A submission the day before a federal holiday lands in the same position as a Friday submission.
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Frequently asked questions
APHIS states endorsements may take several business days and are often completed just 1 to 2 days before travel. There is no guaranteed turnaround. Processing time depends on volume, office, certificate type, and whether the paperwork is complete on the first submission.
No. USDA cannot provide individual status updates due to high volume. Only your accredited veterinarian can check the status through VEHCS. You cannot submit documents or check status yourself.
APHIS itself recommends having a backup plan: leaving your pet with a caretaker or adjusting your travel dates. There is no expedited service or appeals process at the border.
Yes, significantly. Endorsement offices cannot confirm delivery or provide status updates on mailed documents. If a mailed package goes missing, it must be reissued through VEHCS by your veterinarian from scratch.
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