Yellow Fever Certificate for International Travel
Important vaccination and certificate information for travelers departing from the United States to destinations in Africa, South America and other countries with yellow fever entry rules.
What U.S. Travelers Need to Know
Some international destinations require travelers to present official proof of yellow fever vaccination before entering the country. This proof is recorded on the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly called the ICVP or Yellow Card.
The requirement is based on your destination, your age and your complete itinerary. A country may require the certificate even when yellow fever is not present there if you recently visited or transited through a country where yellow fever transmission occurs.
The Yellow Fever Certificate
The ICVP is the internationally recognized document used to prove that a traveler received an approved yellow fever vaccination.
When It Becomes Valid
After a first yellow fever vaccination, the certificate normally becomes valid 10 days after the vaccine is administered.
Where to Get It
The vaccine and certificate must be obtained from an authorized yellow fever vaccination provider. Not every doctor, pharmacy or urgent care center is authorized to issue a valid Yellow Card.
What Makes a Yellow Fever Certificate Valid?
A properly completed yellow fever certificate should contain the traveler’s identifying information and complete vaccination details. The information should match the traveler’s passport.
Traveler Information
- Traveler’s full name
- Date of birth
- Sex, when requested on the certificate
- Traveler’s signature
- Information matching the passport
Vaccination Information
- Date the yellow fever vaccine was administered
- Vaccine manufacturer and batch or lot number
- Healthcare provider’s signature
- Official stamp of the authorized vaccination center
- Certificate validity information
What Is Yellow Fever?
About the Disease
Yellow fever is a potentially serious viral disease spread to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It occurs mainly in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America.
Many infections are mild or produce no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and weakness.
A smaller number of infected people develop severe illness, which can include jaundice, bleeding, organ damage and shock.
Preventing Yellow Fever
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent yellow fever. Travelers should also take precautions against mosquito bites throughout the day and evening.
- Use an effective insect repellent.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants when practical.
- Stay in rooms with screens or air conditioning.
- Use a mosquito net when sleeping in exposed areas.
- Follow local outbreak and public-health advice.
Yellow Fever Vaccine
Protection for Travelers
The yellow fever vaccine is a live-virus vaccine used to protect travelers visiting places where the disease occurs or where proof of vaccination is required for entry.
For most travelers, one properly documented dose provides long-lasting protection, and the completed international certificate is generally accepted for life.
Medical Assessment Is Important
The vaccine is not suitable for every traveler. A healthcare professional should review your age, medical history, medications, allergies, immune status, pregnancy status and travel itinerary before vaccination.
Infants, older travelers and people with certain immune system conditions, thymus disorders or severe allergies may require additional assessment.
For detailed information about vaccine recommendations, precautions, possible side effects and who should receive it, visit:
Yellow Fever Vaccine InformationCountries That May Require a Yellow Fever Certificate
Yellow fever certificate rules fall into two main categories. Understanding the difference is especially important for U.S. travelers with multi-country itineraries.
List of countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmissionRequired From All Arriving Travelers
Some destinations require proof of yellow fever vaccination from most or all arriving travelers above a specified age, including travelers arriving directly from the United States.
Examples currently identified in CDC destination guidance include:
Age thresholds vary. For example, some countries apply the requirement from 9 months of age, while others apply it from 1 year of age.
Required Because of Your Previous Route
Many popular destinations do not require the certificate from a traveler arriving directly from the United States, but may require it when the traveler has recently visited or transited through a yellow fever risk country.
Examples can include:
Some countries count an airport transit or layover longer than a stated period, commonly 12 hours, as travel through a yellow fever risk country.
Advice for American Travelers
Book Early
Schedule a pre-travel consultation several weeks before departure whenever possible. The certificate is not valid until 10 days after a first vaccination.
Carry the Original
Carry the original signed and stamped Yellow Card with your passport. A photograph, scan or photocopy may not be accepted by an airline or border authority.
Keep a Backup Copy
Keep a secure digital image and a paper copy separately from the original. A copy may help an authorized provider replace a lost certificate, although it may not be accepted for entry by itself.
Review Every Stop
Check the requirements for your destination, connecting airports and every country visited during the weeks before arrival.
Ask About Contraindications
Tell the travel-health provider about immune conditions, pregnancy, allergies, thymus disorders, medications and previous vaccine reactions.
Medical Waivers
A provider may issue a medical waiver when vaccination is contraindicated. However, destination authorities are not required to accept a waiver, so approval should be checked before travel.
Find a Yellow Fever Vaccine Provider Near You
Visit our U.S. City Travel Health Guides to look for travel clinics and yellow fever vaccination providers in your area.
The directory includes links to more than 130 U.S. city guides, with travel-health maps and clinic locations to help you find pre-travel medical services near you.
Explore U.S. City Travel Health GuidesYellow Fever Travel Checklist
- Check the yellow fever risk and entry requirement for your destination.
- Review every country and airport included in your route.
- Find an authorized yellow fever vaccination center.
- Attend your appointment at least 10 days before the certificate is needed.
- Make sure your Yellow Card is complete, signed and stamped.
- Confirm that the name on the certificate matches your passport.
- Carry the original certificate throughout your journey.
- Continue preventing mosquito bites even after vaccination.
View countries with yellow fever transmission risk and destinations where vaccination may be recommended or required before you travel.
View the Yellow Fever Risk Map