Medical records for moving to the U.S.

What medical records should you bring?
Before traveling to the United States, it's a good idea to gather any medical records that you or your family members may need after arriving. You don't need to bring your entire medical history. Focus on the most important and up-to-date information.

Start by preparing medical summaries, recent test results, vaccination records, and documents related to any ongoing treatment.
If you're moving with your family, consider creating a separate folder or digital archive for each person.

Medical history and doctor's summaries
If you have chronic medical conditions or received treatment shortly before your move, ask your doctor to prepare a brief medical summary. Ideally, this document should include your diagnoses, treatments you've received, important test results, and your doctor's recommendations.

Having this information available can help U.S. healthcare providers understand your medical history more quickly. Medical summaries are especially useful if you need to continue seeing a doctor or receiving treatment after moving.

Lab results and medical examinations
If you've recently undergone medical testing or examinations, keep copies of the results and any reports from specialists.

These may include:

• Laboratory test results
• X-rays and radiology reports
• Ultrasound results
• MRI or CT scans
• Specialist reports
• Results of other important medical examinations

If your medical images are available electronically, try to obtain copies of the original files. In some cases, having the actual medical images can be more useful to a healthcare provider than having only the written report.

Vaccination records
Vaccination records may be required for school enrollment, certain jobs, administrative procedures, and medical care. These records are especially important for families moving to the United States with children. Schools and educational institutions may require proof of specific vaccinations under the laws and regulations of their state.

If you have an international vaccination certificate or a vaccination record issued in your home country, keep the original and make a digital copy.

Translating medical records into English
Medical records written in languages other than English may be difficult for U.S. doctors and healthcare facilities to use. For this reason, it's a good idea to translate your most important medical documents before traveling. You don't necessarily need to translate every old test result, especially if it's no longer medically relevant. Instead, prioritize the documents you're most likely to need shortly after arriving.

These may include:

• Recent medical summaries
• Vaccination records
• A list of prescribed medications
• Important test results and examination reports

If a particular organization requires a certified or notarized translation, make sure you follow its specific requirements.

List of medications you take
If you take medications regularly, prepare a separate list before your trip.

Include the following information:

• Medication name
• Active ingredient
• Dosage
• How often you take it
• What the medication is prescribed for

It's particularly helpful to know the active ingredient rather than relying only on the brand name used in your home country.

Medication names and brands may be different in the United States. You should also check the U.S. import requirements for any medications you plan to bring. Some medications that are sold without a prescription in other countries may be regulated differently under U.S. law.

Prescriptions and doctor's instructions
If your medication was prescribed by a doctor, keep a copy of the prescription or other documentation of the treatment. This can help U.S. healthcare providers understand why you need the medication and what treatment you're currently receiving.

If you take prescription medications on an ongoing basis, don't assume you'll be able to find a U.S. doctor and obtain a new prescription immediately after arriving. Plan ahead for the transition and check the rules for bringing an appropriate supply of your medications into the country.

Health insurance
Medical records aren't the only healthcare-related documents worth preparing before your move. Understanding your health insurance coverage is just as important. If you already have insurance, save your plan information and make sure you can access your online account.

You may also want to print your insurance card or save a digital version. If you're planning to obtain health insurance after arriving, research your options and find out when coverage can begin. Make sure you understand which medical services your plan covers and which expenses you may have to pay out of pocket.

Medical records for children
If you're moving with children, prepare a separate set of medical records for each child. Along with general medical summaries, pay special attention to vaccination history. If your child regularly sees a pediatrician or specialist, bring copies of their most recent medical reports and test results.

It's also helpful to keep a record of:

• Known allergies
• Prescribed medications
• Ongoing treatments
• Other important health information

Having these documents organized can make it easier to establish care with a new pediatrician and complete school enrollment requirements.

Medical records during pregnancy
If you're pregnant and planning to travel or relocate to the United States, it's especially important to prepare your medical records carefully. Useful documents include a recent summary from your healthcare provider, prenatal test results, and information about how far along you are in your pregnancy.

If you plan to continue prenatal care in the United States, these records can help your new healthcare provider quickly understand your medical history and pregnancy progress. Before flying, discuss any travel-related concerns with your doctor and review the specific requirements of your airline.

Digital copies of medical records
In addition to keeping original medical documents, create digital copies of your most important records. You can store them in a secure cloud storage service, on your phone, or on another trusted device. However, make sure you can still access your files if your phone or luggage is lost. A practical approach is to create a separate digital folder for each family member.

Use clear, descriptive file names, such as:
Vaccination_Record.pdf
Medical_Summary.pdf
Blood_Test_2026.pdf

This makes it much easier to find and share the information you need after arriving.

What should you keep in your carry-on luggage?
Your most important medical records and essential medications are generally best kept in your carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage. This allows you to access them immediately after arriving and reduces the risk of losing access to important items if your checked luggage is delayed or lost. Consider keeping a small, separate folder in your carry-on with your essential medical documents, prescriptions, and medication information.

What if your original medical records are lost?
Before traveling, make copies of your documents and find out how you can obtain replacements if necessary.
If your medical information is stored at a clinic or hospital, ask whether they can provide electronic copies of your medical summaries and test results.

It's also helpful to save the contact information for your doctor or healthcare facility. This may allow you to request additional records remotely after moving to the United States.

You don't need to bring your entire medical history
One common mistake is collecting a large folder containing every medical document from the past several decades. For most people, preparing a concise, well-organized set of current medical information is far more useful. An old examination report that's unrelated to your current health is unlikely to be necessary during your first few days in the United States.

However, a recent medical summary, vaccination records, medication information, and documentation of important diagnoses can be extremely helpful. Focus on the information that will allow a new healthcare provider to understand your current medical needs.

What to check before your flight
A few days before departure, review your family's medical documents one more time.


Make sure you have:

• Current medical summaries
• Vaccination records
• Prescriptions and doctor's instructions
• A list of medications
• Important test results
• Accessible digital copies

Check that you can open your digital documents without needing access to your home computer. If you're traveling with prescription medications, review the applicable airline transportation rules and U.S. import requirements.

Final thoughts
Preparing your medical records before traveling can make your move to the United States more organized and help you avoid unnecessary complications after arriving. Prioritize recent medical summaries, important examination results, vaccination records, prescriptions, and information about medications you take regularly.

If your documents are written in a language other than English, consider translating the ones you're likely to need when visiting a U.S. healthcare provider or dealing with an American institution. Keep your most important original documents and essential medications in your carry-on luggage, and store secure digital copies in a location you can access when needed.

The better organized your medical information is before your trip, the easier it will be to continue treatment, establish care with new healthcare providers, and access medical services after moving to the United States.