International Health Certificate

Mine actually did end up being a copy also, but did have a sticker at the bottom (since my vet lost the original form), so I think you should be ok as long as there is a real sticker on the bottom.

Its not the letter that needs to be endorsed, its the EC998 form.  I suggest watching your vet when they fill out the form.  The dates must be in European date format (dd/mm/yyyy) and your vet will most likely default to US format unless you specifically tell them, and the USDA will reject it.   This may be different in your state, but I was told to fax the form to them first before making the appointment for the endorsement (or mailing it in your case) so as to not waste the USDA's time if there were any corrections needed on the form.

The copy has an original sticker at the bottom but you can tell it is a copy of the writing on the page.  There is not a sticker at the top of the page like the one referenced in someone's facebook picture.  Only the sticker at the bottom - is that like your's was?  My vet referred to it as a certified copy - she says they don't get the original copy?

Yes, mine was obviously a photocopy, with just the one sticker at the bottom. That sticker is the "official" sign that it's an "original" result document, so DEFRA checks for that to make sure your titer test paperwork is valid. I believe KS always keeps the actual original, so neither you nor your vet would get that back.

Its not the letter that needs to be endorsed, its the EC998 form.  I suggest watching your vet when they fill out the form.  The dates must be in European date format (dd/mm/yyyy) and your vet will most likely default to US format unless you specifically tell them, and the USDA will reject it.  

Sorry, I did mean the EC998 form needs endorsement not the letter - my brain is fried right now!  Thanks for the date tip - I am going to be sure to check that is in in European format so I don't get it rejected.

Thanks so much - I would be even worse of a wreck if I had not found this forum!

Just found out I will have to drive this week 4 hours to the USDA office in Atlanta for the endorsement since it won't make it there through overnight mail process because of Thanksgiving - argh!  I knew things were going too smoothly.  Oh well, it's better than rescheduling my flight next week.  So ready to get there already.

Thanks everyone for the posts - it has helped me a lot.  My vet was shocked about how much I knew about the whole process.  Good thing I told him about blue ink and dd/mm/yyyy format!

Anxiety attack at USDA office today!

I got the the USDA office after a 4 hour drive only to be told there was a "problem" with my forms.  Since I fly out on Tuesday, I nearly fainted!   

Turns out my vet mistakenly put the serum test date in section V of the 998 form instead of the required sample taken date. You would think paying $300 would mean forms are getting filled out right and read properly.  The USDA office needed the vet to fax authorization over that is okay for them to correct the date on the form - vet's office was closed!  After a couple of attempts to the answering service, the vet calls back.

Turns out okay; my vet is going to fax a letter to USDA on Monday saying it is alright they changed the date and he acknowledges the mistake.  I am going to request a letter to take with me to our flight on Tuesday acknowledging the error.

Just thought I would share this experience.  I had been so focused on the vet using European date format and blue ink, I overlooked the date discrepancy.

Not sure if I have ever been this stressed - not sure how you all do this move with kids, too.

Glad to hear it got sorted out (kinda), but wow, that would freak me out! Of course, my vet didn't even fill in the date at all on my FAVN form, so I think they all make mistakes. (Though yeah, for so much money you'd think they'd pay attention to what they're writing down, especially since most of them aren't familiar with the process.)

I'm opting to fill in all of the EC 998 myself, so that all the vet has to do is sign his name/stamp the form. At least that way I'll only have myself to blame if something's messed up (though I'm not sure that that's much better ).

equestrianerd- great idea - I should have filled out them myself, too.

For future reference for anyone else, this is why you should fax the forms to the USDA for approval before going to the office esp if its a long drive.  Glad you got it sorted Lizzy!

The dogs and I made it here just fine.  My flight landed at 9:20 am and I had the dogs in hand by 12:20 pm.  All went well.  One of my dogs was really jet lagged  - she's a nervous one and probably didn't sleep well on the flight.

Yay, so glad to hear they made it OK! I hope all of you settle in well.

This is a link to pictures someone posted on their facebook of the forms and how each page should be filled out properly. The topic is "Photos of forms needed to import pets into the UK"

Hope the link works...

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=53014.msg758470#msg758470

I felt a little annoying when dealing with my vet getting all the paperwork filled out.  But you will have to be very involved with the vet to make sure the paperwork gets filled out correct.  It may help to print out that form from the link above and let the vets' office use it as a guide.  The office manager filled out my paperwork and the vet just signed off.  Just remind them to make not of using blue ink, writing in european date format, and correctly record the date titer drawn vs date titer tested.

Best of luck -

flymetothemoon-

I don't think the blue ink and euro date have to be worried about on the USDA form - it's the 998 form that's most important.  But just in case, I would ask them at the USDA office to sign in blue and euro date it.  I can't remember what I did for my form.  Email if you have any more questions.  When is the big day?

I am not sure if it would cause any problem with the PET, DEFRA, rules or etc - I mean sending my dog unaccompanied?  I was told by Animal Reception Centre and the airline that all I need to do is put in the person name and information that is going to pick up the dog.  I really hope it's just that simple?   

When I got my dogs from the Animal Reception Centre - no one checked any id or anything to say I was the dogs owners.  I just checked in with them once I got there to let them know my dogs name when I got there.  They were good about coming out and letting me know about how long it would be.  I would suggest writing a letter and sending it to them with your signature with the person picking up your dog and their information.  It's pretty simply...stressful...but simple. best wishes

Going to make sure it's euro date, time and blue ink!     I am planning to send her unaccompanied on the plane to UK in April.  Haven't book the tickets yet.  I am not sure what approve route airline I should go with.  Of course I prefer the most affordable one even though it's pretty expensive already.  Virgin Atlantic told me I can send her unaccompanied on the flight.  I am not sure if it would cause any problem with the PET, DEFRA, rules or etc - I mean sending my dog unaccompanied?  I was told by Animal Reception Centre and the airline that all I need to do is put in the person name and information that is going to pick up the dog.  I really hope it's just that simple?   

My dog flew unaccompanied and I didnt have any trouble at all.  Like Lizzy said, they didnt even ask me for ID.   I believe some airports require the dog to be accompanied, but Heathrow is not one of them.