04 Aug California Offers New Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record

Everyone who receives the COVID-19 vaccine in California can now request digital proof through a safe and secure state portal. Click to request your digital vaccine record. To share proof of vaccination, you may use either the electronic version you receive from the portal or the paper vaccine card issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received at the time of vaccination.

Signing up for the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record is voluntary, and includes a QR code that can be scanned to retrieve the record and confirm authenticity. The record can be stored on a digital device or printed. When registering, be sure to provide the email or cell phone number you used when you received your vaccine. It takes less than a minute to complete the request and your record is sent by email or text within seconds.

While California officials say the state will not implement a mandatory passport system, registration is intended to provide a portable alternative to carrying the paper card. The record cannot be accessed by schools, employers or businesses without permission from the vaccinated individual. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers posted on the State of California’s website:

How does the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal work?
The Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal draws COVID-19 records from California’s immunization systems. Enter your name, date of birth, and an email or mobile phone number associated with your vaccination record, then create a four-digit PIN. If the information you submitted matches the official record, you will receive a text or email with a link to your digital COVID-19 vaccine record. Enter the PIN you created to view the record.

How will my vaccine record be delivered?
When your vaccination record is found, you will receive a link delivered to the email or mobile phone number associated with the vaccination record. After entering your four-digit PIN, you will see your COVID-19 vaccination information including your name, date of birth, vaccination date(s) and vaccine manufacturer. You will also receive a scannable QR code confirming your vaccine record is authentic.

What if my record is not found?
If the information you submitted does not return a link, you can re-enter your information making sure to use an email or phone associated with your vaccine record, and double check that your name and birthdate are correct. If your record still isn’t found, you may need to correct or update your immunization record. Follow the troubleshooting tips at cdph.ca.gov/covidvaccinerecord or call 833-422-4255.

What if I made multiple vaccination appointments for multiple people with a single phone number?
If you are a parent or guardian and have created multiple appointments with a single phone number or email, enter the requests one at a time to receive separate links for each vaccine record.

Will my information remain private?
Yes. Filling out the form on the portal does not provide instant access to your vaccine record. The link to the vaccine record requires a PIN that you create and is sent only to the mobile phone or email that is associated with your immunization record. Only you can decide how and if you want to share your record with others.

What happens to my information after I share it?
Your Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record shows the same information as your paper CDC vaccine card. You can ask organizations that will scan the QR code in your Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record how they will use your data or if they will keep it. Only you can decide how and when to share your record.

What should I do with my digital vaccine record?
You can take a screenshot of your vaccine record to store on your mobile device in an app, save the QR code to your device’s camera roll, or print a copy of the record and store in a safe place. The QR code is a SMART Health Card, a secure copy of your vaccination record. Click for more information. To protect your privacy, the QR code can only be scanned and read by a SMART Health Card-compliant device. If you are at a venue that can read SMART Health Cards, present your copy of your digital vaccine record for scanning or visual inspection. If you lose your digital COVID-19 vaccine record, you can start the process over at the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal.

What if I need to replace my vaccination card?
The portal provides a digital copy of your vaccine record. If you’ve lost your paper vaccine card, you may print out your digital record and use it.

For more information about general COVID-19 vaccine record guidelines and standards in California, please click here.

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