State government policies about proof-of-vaccination (vaccine passport) requirements

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Last updated: July 2, 2021

This article tracks state government legislation and executive orders related to COVID-19 proof-of-vaccination requirements. Proof-of-vaccination requirements are business or government requirements that people prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. State governments have enacted various rules around the use of proof-of-vaccination requirements in their states, such as banning proof-of-vaccination requirements in some circumstances or implementing policies—sometimes called vaccine passports—that allow vaccinated people to bypass COVID-19 restrictions or engage in activities unavailable to unvaccinated people.

Seventeen states, all with Republican governors, prohibit proof-of-vaccination requirements. In ten states, governors banned proof-of-vaccination requirements through executive orders. In seven states, legislators passed laws banning proof-of-vaccination requirements.

Three states—New York, Hawaii, and Oregon—exempt fully vaccinated individuals from some COVID-19 restrictions if they can provide proof of vaccination. All three states have Democratic governors.

On this page you will find:

• Recent activity
• A map and timeline of state proof-of-vaccination requirements
• A list of bills and resolutions being considered on this topic
• A timeline of events

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Recent news

This timeline shows the three most recent updates related to proof-of-vaccination requirements. Click here to find older updates.

• June 15, 2021: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) signed House Bill 271, a bill prohibiting county and local governments that receive public funding from requiring proof of vaccination in order to receive government services or access public transportation.
• June 7, 2021: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill prohibiting state and local government agencies from issuing COVID-19 documentation that could be used to verify a person’s vaccination status. The bill also prohibits government agencies and businesses from requiring proof of vaccination to receive services or enter the premises.
• May 26, 2021: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) issued an order prohibiting state agencies from requiring proof of vaccination to access facilities or receive services. The order also says no proof of vaccination will be required to enter Georgia.

State proof-of-vaccination policies

Seventeen states have banned proof-of-vaccination requirements. All 17 states—Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming—have Republican governors. In total, 17 out of the 27 states with Republican governors have prohibited proof-of-vaccination requirements through executive orders or legislation. Ten states with Republican governors—Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia—have not prohibited proof-of-vaccination requirements at any level of government.

Three states have facilitated the creation of proof-of-vaccination programs that allow fully vaccinated people to bypass some coronavirus restrictions. All three states—Hawaii, New York, and Oregon—have Democratic governors. Twenty states with Democratic governors have neither prohibited nor facilitated proof-of-vaccination requirements at any level of government.

The following map shows the states that have prohibited proof-of-vaccination requirements through executive orders or legislation. It also shows the states that have implemented proof-of-vaccination requirements for some activities.

The following table shows the states that have prohibited proof-of-vaccination requirements through executive orders or legislation. It also shows the states that have implemented proof-of-vaccination requirements for some activities.

Vaccination policies by state
State	Governor party affiliation	Proof-of-vaccination requirements?	Policy
Alabama	R	Prohibit	Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed a bill prohibiting government agencies from issuing documentation to certify vaccine status or requiring that people show proof of vaccination. The bill also prohibits private businesses from requiring proof of vaccination.
Alaska	R	Prohibit	Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) issued an order prohibiting state agencies from requiring proof of vaccination as a requirement to travel around the state.
Arizona	R	Prohibit	Gov. Doug Ducey (R) issued an order prohibiting state and local governments and agencies from requiring people to prove their vaccine status.
Arkansas	R	Prohibit	Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed a law prohibiting state and local governments and agencies from requiring proof of vaccination to access services.
Florida	R	Prohibit	Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an order prohibiting state and local governments from issuing documentation to certify vaccine status. The order also prohibits private businesses from requiring customers to prove their vaccine status.
Georgia	R	Prohibit	Gov. Brian Kemp (R) issued an order prohibiting state agencies from requiring proof of vaccination to access facilities or receive services. The order also says no proof of vaccination will be required to enter Georgia.
Hawaii	D	Permit	Fully vaccinated individuals in can travel between islands without quarantining or presenting a negative COVID-19 test.
Idaho	R	Prohibit	Gov. Brad Little (R) issued an executive order prohibiting state agencies from requiring that people reveal their COVID-19 vaccination status to access buildings or property.
Indiana	R	Prohibit	Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed a bill that included language prohibiting state and local government agencies from requiring anyone, including employees, to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Iowa	R	Prohibit	Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill prohibiting businesses or government agencies that require proof of vaccination as a condition for receiving services or entering the premises from receiving state government grants or contracts. The bill also prohibits state and local governments from issuing COVID-19 identification cards.
Missouri	R	Prohibit	Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) signed House Bill 271, a bill prohibiting county and local governments that receive public funding from requiring proof of vaccination in order to receive government services or access public transportation.
Montana	R	Prohibit	Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) issued an order prohibiting state agencies from requiring that people reveal their COVID-19 vaccination status to access buildings or property. The order also applies to private businesses.
New York	D	Permit	New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) launched Excelsior Pass, an voluntary app that allows people to upload negative COVID-19 test results or proof of vaccination. People can use the app to access sections at outdoor venues reserved for fully vaccinated individuals.
North Dakota	R	Prohibit	Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed House Bill 1465, which bans state and local governments and most businesses from requiring proof of vaccination as a condition to receive services. The bill exempts health care organizations from the ban.
Oregon	D	Permit	The Oregon Health Authority released guidance allowing businesses that verify customer vaccine status to allow fully vaccinated customers to go without masks while indoors. Businesses that do not verify vaccine status are still required to maintain an indoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
South Carolina	R	Prohibit	South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) issued an order prohibiting state and local government agencies from requiring proof of vaccination.
South Dakota	R	Prohibit	Gov. Kristi Noem (R) issued an order prohibiting state and local agencies from requiring that people show proof of vaccination.
Texas	R	Prohibit	Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an order prohibiting government agencies, as well as businesses and institutions that receive state funding, from requiring that people show proof of documentation. Abbott also signed a bill on June 7 that prohibits government agencies and businesses from requiring proof of vaccination to receive services or enter the premises.
Utah	R	Prohibit	Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed House Bill 308, which prohibits state agencies and public universities from requiring people to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or show proof of vaccination.
Wyoming	R	Prohibit	Gov. Mark Gordon (R) issued a directive prohibiting state agencies, boards, and commissions from requiring proof of vaccination to receive services.

Legislation related to proof-of-vaccination requirements

This list shows bills and resolutions related to proof-of-vaccination requirements that are being considered in each state in 2021. Click on a bill to read more about it. This information is provided by BillTrack50.com

Timeline

The following timeline shows the most recent activity involving proof-of-vaccination requirements.

• June 15, 2021: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) signed House Bill 271, a bill prohibiting county and local governments that receive public funding from requiring proof of vaccination in order to receive government services or access public transportation.
• June 7, 2021: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill prohibiting state and local government agencies from issuing COVID-19 documentation that could be used to verify a person’s vaccination status. The bill also prohibits government agencies and businesses from requiring proof of vaccination to receive services or enter the premises.
• May 26, 2021: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) issued an order prohibiting state agencies from requiring proof of vaccination to access facilities or receive services. The order also says no proof of vaccination will be required to enter Georgia.
• May 24, 2021: Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed Senate Bill 267, which prohibits state and local governments from issuing documentation to certify an individual's vaccine status. The bill also prevents state and local governments and private businesses from denying people goods or services or admission for not having proof of vaccination.
• May 20, 2021: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill prohibiting businesses or government agencies that require proof of vaccination as a condition for receiving services or entering the premises from receiving state government grants or contracts. The bill also prohibits state and local governments from issuing COVID-19 identification cards.
• May 20, 2021: Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed House Bill 1465, which bans state and local governments and most businesses from requiring proof of vaccination as a condition to receive services. The bill exempts health care organizations from the ban.
• May 18, 2021: The Oregon Health Authority released guidance allowing businesses that verify customer vaccine status to allow fully vaccinated customers to go without masks while indoors. Businesses that do not verify vaccine status are still required to maintain an indoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
• May 11, 2021: A program that allows fully vaccinated individuals in Hawaii to travel between islands without quarantining or presenting a negative COVID-19 test went into effect. Travelers can upload proof of vaccination to the "Safe Travel's" website or show their vaccine card at the airport.
• May 11, 2021: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) issued an order prohibiting any local government, state agency, or state employee from requiring proof of vaccination to access government services or facilities.
• May 7, 2021: Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R) issued a directive prohibiting state agencies, boards, and commissions from requiring proof of vaccination to receive services.
• May 5, 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that large-scale outdoor event venues can allow fully vaccinated people to sit together without social distancing in designated areas. Eligible people will need to provide proof of vaccination through the Excelsior application or in paper form. He also said the state will pilot allowing large-scale indoor event venues to designate certain areas for fully vaccinated individuals beginning June 19.
• April 26, 2021: Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) issued an order prohibiting state agencies from requiring proof of vaccination as a requirement to travel around the state.
• April 19, 2021: Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed an order prohibiting all state and local government agencies from requiring individuals to provide their vaccination status to access facilities and services. Private businesses can still require proof of vaccination as a condition of service or entry.
• April 13, 2021: Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) issued an order prohibiting state agencies from requiring that people reveal their COVID-19 vaccination status to access buildings or property. The order also prohibits businesses from requiring customers show proof of vaccination to gain entry or access services.
• April 7, 2021: Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) issued an executive order prohibiting state agencies from requiring that people reveal their COVID-19 vaccination status to access buildings or property.
• April 6, 2021: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued an order prohibiting government agencies, businesses, and institutions that receive state funding from requiring people to show proof they’ve received a coronavirus vaccine.
• April 2, 2021: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an order banning government entities from issuing vaccine passports. The order also prohibits businesses from requiring vaccine passports.
• March 26, 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced announced the launch of Excelsior Pass, an app that provides digital proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test. The app is optional for individuals and businesses that require such proof to allow people to enter (like wedding reception, concert, or sports venues).
• March 16, 2021: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed House Bill 308, which prohibits state agencies and public universities from requiring people to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or show proof of vaccination.

See also

• Documenting America's Path to Recovery
• COVID-19 vaccine distribution
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions
• Officeholders and candidates diagnosed with, dead from, or quarantined because of coronavirus
• School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19 pandemic