Order: Requirement for Attestation for All Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving in the United States

Attestation Order

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an Order on October 22, 2026, requiring that all air passengers boarding an international flight into or connecting through the United States sign a statement (attestation) that they have not been present in DRC in the 21 days before boarding a flight to the United States.

This requirement goes into effect November 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The requirement will apply to flights departing to the United States from a foreign country at or after 11:59 p.m. EST on November 3, 2026.

The Order issued on October 22, 2026, is here. This Order will be published in the Federal Register.

The attestation (Attachment A) is here for use by airlines. A fillable PDF version of the attestation is available.

Technical Instructions

These Technical Instructions provide guidance to domestic and foreign airlines and aircraft operators on the implementation of the CDC Order. The Technical Instructions are applicable to airlines and aircraft operators intending to board any passengers subject to the Order on any flight from a foreign country to the United States. Airlines and aircraft operators intending to board passengers subject to the Order are required to take the measures described in the Order, as described below.

Applicability

The attestation requirement applies to all passengers who intend to board an international flight destined for the United States unless they have an exemptionA issued by the U.S. Government.

Airlines and Aircraft Operators Must

1. Confirm, at or before the time of boarding, that all passengers onboard the aircraft, or an individual authorized to act on their behalf, have completed an attestation (i.e., by physical or authenticated digital signature or through electronic attestation checkbox) confirming that they have not been present in the DRC during the 21 days before boarding a flight to the United States, including transit through a DRC airport whether or not they disembarked.
2. Prohibit the boarding of any passenger who has failed to complete and present such an attestation unless they have an exemption issued by the U.S. Government.
3. Retain a copy of the completed version of the attestation for each passenger for at least 42 days after the passenger's flight arrives in the United States from a foreign country and be able to provide the attestation to the U.S. Government upon request.

Attestation Implementation

• Airlines or aircraft operators must implement a process by which they will collect and retain this attestation in digital or paper form from passengers. CDC has posted a fillable PDF version of the attestation for use by airlines.
• Airlines or aircraft operators are required to provide the attestation to the U.S. Government upon request. The U.S. Government may also need certain information to identify the passenger to which the attestation belongs. For this purpose, airlines and aircraft operators should be prepared to provide the following:
  • Passenger Name Record number (PNR)
  • Passenger name
  • Airline and carrier code
  • Flight number
  • Departure airport
  • Arrival airport
  • Dates and times of travel

FAQs for Airlines

Does this order apply to all flights or only commercial flights?

• This order applies to all flights departing for the United States, including commercial flights, general aviation, and private aircraft.

Does the Order apply at pre-clearance ports?

• Yes. The Order applies to all air passengers traveling to United States from any foreign country, including passengers on flights departing from pre-clearance ports.

Can airlines create digital versions of the attestation?

• Airlines and aircraft operators can incorporate a process to capture authenticated digital signatures or an electronic system that uses unique identifiers to ensure the person filling out the electronic attestation form and providing the attestation (i.e., via an electronic checkbox) is the passenger or an authorized representative. 

• Alternatively, the operator can use authenticated digital signatures or an electronic version of an attestation that ensures only the individual passenger, or their authorized representative, has access to the data entry process. 

• Either method is acceptable if the airline or operator can be reasonably certain that the individual, or their authorized representative, is the only person that has access to the data entry process required to submit the attestation, and the digital or paper version is maintained for 42 days after the passenger’s flight arrived in the United States and can be provided to the U.S. Government upon request. 

At which point in the process should the attestation be implemented?

• A recommended best practice would be to place the attestation at the point of check-in or boarding at the last foreign departure airport to the United States. Airlines and aircraft operators are encouraged to update passenger-facing check-in websites or reservation applications to present and collect digital attestation information from travelers.

Will CDC offer the attestation form in other languages besides English?

• Currently, the attestation form is not available in other languages. Airlines and aircraft operators may translate the attestation into other languages or use a third party to provide translations of the attestation. However, the airline or aircraft operator is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of any translation. The airline or aircraft operator may not shift this responsibility to a third party.

Can airlines/aircraft operators use an attestation only in a foreign language (rather than an English translation), so that the only version retained for 42 days would be in a foreign language?

• Yes, airlines/aircraft operators may use and retain an attestation only in a foreign language.

Should airlines transmit the attestation through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS)?

• Attestations should not be transmitted through APIS.

When might CDC request a copy of the attestation?

• CDC may request an attestation to verify compliance with the Order or if needed for a public health investigation or response at any time during the 42 days after a passenger’s flight landed in the U.S. Should this occur, CDC will provide instructions on how to send the information.

FAQs for Travelers

What is an attestation?

• An attestation is a statement a person makes confirming that the information they have provided is true. For this Order, the attestation is a signed statement (either on paper or digital).

What is the purpose of this attestation?

• This attestation is required as a public health measure intended to reduce the risk of Ebola being introduced into the United States through air travel. It requires passengers to confirm before boarding a flight to the United States that they have not been in the DRC during the previous 21 days. The 21-day period reflects the maximum incubation period (time between exposure and symptoms starting) for Ebola disease. Passengers who do not sign an attestation will not be allowed to board a flight to the United States.

Does the attestation requirement apply to U.S. citizens?

• Yes. This Order applies to all air passengers boarding a flight to the United States from any foreign country, including U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders).

Who is exempt from this Order?

• Per the CDC Order, exemptions may include (1) the aircraft is transporting passengers with Ebola disease pursuant to U.S. Government authorization and in accordance with CDC guidance; and/or (2) Individuals for whom the CDC has issued an exemption from this Order based on humanitarian or other important government considerations.

What counts as "being present in DRC" for purposes of the 21-day period?

• You are considered to have been in the DRC if you were physically present in DRC at any time during the previous 21 days. This includes entering or traveling through DRC by air, land, or sea. Connecting through an airport in DRC also counts as being present in the country, even if you did not leave the airport or the plane.

• The 21-day waiting period is based on calendar days. Day 0 is the day you leave DRC, and Day 1 is the first full calendar day you are outside DRC. You may board a flight to the United States beginning on Day 22, provided you meet all other travel requirements. You will not be allowed to travel to the United States during Days 0–21.
• Use this graphic as a reference for when you can return to the United States.

How will the airline and CDC use this attestation?

• The attestation process ensures that no one who was in DRC in the previous 21 days will be able to board a flight to the United States. Airlines and other aircraft operators are responsible for collecting and retaining passenger attestations. CDC may request an attestation from an airline to verify compliance with the Order or as part of a public health investigation or response.

Can I complete one attestation on behalf of my family/traveling party?

• No. Each passenger needs to complete an attestation. See below for two situations in which an authorized person can complete the attestation on behalf of another person.

I am traveling with a child under 18 years old. Do they need to complete an attestation?

• If a traveler is younger than 18, their parent, guardian, or another authorized person must sign the attestation on their behalf. The responsible adult confirms the information is true by completing and signing the document for the child.

What if I have a disability and cannot sign the attestation?

• If you have a disability and are unable to complete and sign the attestation a family member, travel companion, or other authorized person can complete and sign on your behalf.

If I am connecting through the United States to another country, do I still need to complete an attestation?

• Yes. You must fill out the attestation for any flight landing in the United States. This requirement applies even if you are only passing through the United States to reach another country.

Does the attestation Order requirement apply to land border crossings or seaports?

• No. The requirements of this attestation only apply to air travel into or connecting flights through the United States.

Are territories or possessions of the U.S. considered foreign countries for the purposes of this Order?

• U.S. territories and possessions include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They are not considered foreign countries.

Do I need to keep a copy of my attestation after submitting it to the airline?

• You may choose to keep a copy of the attestation for your personal records but aren't required to do so. The airline or aircraft operator will be responsible for keeping the attestation.

What happens if a traveler provides a false attestation?

• The U.S. Department of Justice may seek to prosecute and fine individuals who knowingly and willfully submit false statements in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001.