Apply for a Northern Ireland pet travel document

Use this service to apply for a pet travel document (PTD) to take your dog, cat or ferret from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to Northern Ireland. 

It’s free to apply and will last as long as you own the pet.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you do not need a PTD for travel to and from Great Britain. Your pet must be microchipped.

Who can apply

You can apply for a PTD if you:

You’ll need a separate PTD for each pet. 

You’ll need different documents if you’re travelling onward, for example, through Northern Ireland to another country.

Apply online

You’ll need to sign in with your Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID you can create one. You’ll also need to set up a Defra account.

Start now

Before you start

You’ll be asked for:

  • your pet’s microchip number
  • the date your pet was microchipped or when the microchip was last scanned
  • your pet’s breed, colour and sex
  • any unusual features your pet might have, like a missing eye or leg

Guide and assistance dogs

You need to apply for a PTD to travel with a guide or assistance dog.

You can find out about travelling with your assistance dog on the Guide Dogs website.

Letting someone else travel with your pet

Only one person can be named as the pet’s owner on the PTD.

After you get your PTD, you can authorise someone else to travel with your pet to Northern Ireland. For example, this could be a family member or pet courier.

They will need:  

  • the PTD 
  • written approval from you, like a letter, email or text message 
  • to sign a declaration at the ferry port or airport – this must include the date and place where they sign it

Get help applying

Call the Animal and Plant Health Agency helpline if you need help applying online.

Animal and Plant Health Agency
Telephone: 03000 200 301
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm (closed on bank holidays)
Find out about call charges

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