California's school enrollment requires specific health forms, and your child's immunization history needs to transfer with them. Here's what California requires, how to get those records, and how to make the whole handoff work from the first week.
Last verified: September 6, 2026
California Health & Safety Code §120335 requires proof of immunization for school entry. Your child's new California school will ask for one specific form: the CDPH 286, commonly called the "Blue Card," which lists every required vaccine with dose dates. If you don't have this yet when you enroll, most California schools will accept a provisional enrollment for up to 30 calendar days while you obtain the form.
California Education Code §49068 requires your child's former school to transfer cumulative pupil records to the new school within 10 school days of receiving a transfer request. The new California school initiates this. Once enrolled, you can ask the school office to formally request records from the previous district. Keep copies of everything — the 10-day window is on the school, not you, but having your own copies avoids delays.
Source: California Education Code §49068 — California Legislative Information, accessed September 6, 2026
If you don't have a complete paper vaccine record, California's immunization registry is your first call. CAIR2 (California Immunization Registry) is California's statewide immunization information system. Most California providers report doses to CAIR2, and county health departments can print an official immunization history for your child. Contact your new county's public health department to request a CAIR2 record printout — it's free.
For doses administered before moving to California, your previous state's immunization registry may have records too. Ask your former pediatrician for a complete record in writing — a signed letter or a printed immunization summary on office letterhead is typically accepted by California schools while the CDPH 286 is being completed by a new California provider.
Source: California Department of Public Health — Immunization Branch, accessed September 6, 2026
When you establish care with a new California pediatrician, bring:
Your new California pediatrician will enter their records into CAIR2 going forward. Any doses not yet in CAIR2 can be added retroactively by a California provider — bring dated documentation for those doses.
California Health & Safety Code §124040 requires a health examination within 18 months before or 90 days after entering first grade. Many California school districts also extend this requirement to kindergarten — check with your specific district.
The exam must be completed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. If your child had a well-child exam within the 18-month window at your previous location, get a copy of that exam summary from your former pediatrician and bring it. A California school nurse or district will review it and typically accept out-of-state exams if they fall within the time window.
Source: California Department of Education — Health Examination Requirements, accessed September 6, 2026
California also requires a dental assessment for children entering kindergarten or 1st grade for the first time (H&SC §104830), completed within the prior 12 months. If your child had a dental visit before the move, a dated note from your former dentist may satisfy this. A waiver form is available from the school for families without immediate dental access.
Source: California Dept. of Public Health — Kindergarten Oral Health Requirement, accessed September 6, 2026
Request a complete medical record summary from every current provider — pediatrician, specialists, dentist. Ask specifically for a signed immunization history you can hand to a new provider. Digital copies in a single folder or app beat hunting down faxes from across the country.
Enroll in the new school and ask them to request records from your former district (Ed Code §49068 — 10-day window). If immunization records are incomplete, ask about provisional enrollment. Contact your county's public health department to request a CAIR2 check if any California doses exist.
Your new California pediatrician will complete the CDPH 286 (Blue Card) based on your child's existing records and any doses they administer. Schedule this appointment early — Blue Cards take a visit and are sometimes the last piece schools wait for.
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