Documents You Need Before Moving Abroad (Checklist)
In this guide
- The complete checklist
- Originals, copies or certified copies?
- What is an apostille, and do you need one?
- Do your documents need translating?
- Name and date matching: the mistake that costs weeks
- How to store and carry everything
- What you will need soon after you arrive
- Frequently asked questions
- Key takeaways
- Related guides
- Sources
Quick answer: Before you move abroad, gather your passport and visa papers, civil documents (birth and marriage certificates), education and work records, financial proof, medical and vaccination records, and any official letters the destination country asks for. Make digital and paper copies, keep originals in your hand luggage, and check whether any document needs an apostille or a certified translation. Requirements differ by country, so always confirm with the embassy or immigration authority for your destination.
Most problems after arrival come from one missing paper. A bank asks for proof of address, an employer asks for a degree certificate, or a school asks for a vaccination record, and the original is in a drawer back home. This checklist helps you collect everything while you can still easily get it. It is one part of our full moving abroad checklist.
The complete checklist
Tick these off as you go. Not every item applies to everyone.
1. Identity and immigration
- ☐ Passport, valid for the whole period your destination requires (check the rules)
- ☐ Visa, residence permit approval letter, or eVisa details
- ☐ National ID card, if you have one
- ☐ Passport-size photographs (check the size the destination uses; our guide on why passport photos get rejected helps)
- ☐ Previous passports, if they hold visas or travel history you may need to show
2. Civil documents
- ☐ Birth certificate
- ☐ Marriage certificate, or divorce papers
- ☐ Children’s birth certificates and, where relevant, custody or consent letters
- ☐ Documents proving any name change
3. Education and work
- ☐ Degree certificates and transcripts
- ☐ Professional licences or registrations
- ☐ Employment contract or job offer letter (read how to avoid visa and job offer scams before paying anyone)
- ☐ Reference letters from past employers
- ☐ Updated CV
4. Money
- ☐ Recent bank statements
- ☐ Proof of funds, if your visa requires it
- ☐ Tax records and a credit report from your home country, which some lenders and landlords may ask about
- ☐ Some cash in the destination currency for the first days
5. Health
- ☐ Vaccination records
- ☐ Medical records and prescriptions (with generic drug names)
- ☐ Health insurance documents for the start of your stay
- ☐ Any medical test results your visa required
6. Police and legal documents
- ☐ Police clearance certificate, if the destination requires it
- ☐ Driving licence, and an international driving permit if needed
- ☐ Power of attorney for someone you trust at home, if relevant
7. Housing and first weeks
- ☐ Address of your first accommodation and booking confirmation
- ☐ Tenancy agreement or host letter, which may later help with proof of address
- ☐ Emergency contacts, both at home and in the destination
Originals, copies or certified copies?
Ask the organisation that requests the document. Before applying to have any UK document legalised, for example, GOV.UK advises checking whether the requesting party needs original or certified copies, a specific signatory, a paper-based or electronic apostille, and a single or separate apostille per document. The same thinking applies anywhere: ask first, then prepare.
What is an apostille, and do you need one?
An apostille is a stamped official certificate attached to a public document so another country accepts it as genuine. In the UK, the Legalisation Office checks whether the signatures, stamps or seals match its records and then attaches the apostille. It covers things like birth, marriage and death certificates, court documents sealed with a wet-ink seal, government documents signed by an official, medical certificates signed by a registered doctor, and documents certified by a UK notary or solicitor.
It works only for UK-issued documents; you cannot use the UK service for documents issued elsewhere. Current UK fees and times, per GOV.UK:
| Service | Fee per document | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (paper) | £45 plus courier or postage | Up to 25 working days plus delivery |
| e-Apostille | £35 | Up to 2 working days |
E-apostilles are not available for some documents, including General Register Office certificates (birth, death, marriage), some police certificates and DBS certificates. If your documents are from another country, ask that country’s competent authority how to get an apostille or equivalent. Always confirm with your destination whether you need one at all.
Do your documents need translating?
Often, yes, if they are not in the destination’s official language. Some authorities want a certified translation. Check this before you pay anyone. Service Canada, for example, requires documents in English or French, or translated.
Name and date matching: the mistake that costs weeks
Spellings, name order and dates should match across your passport, certificates and application forms. A mismatch can delay visas, bank accounts and registrations. If your name is spelled differently on an older document, get a supporting document that links the two before you travel. Canada’s SIN application, for example, asks for documents linking each name change to your current legal name.
How to store and carry everything
- Scan everything in colour at good quality and keep the files in encrypted cloud storage and on a USB drive.
- Print one spare set and keep it separate from the originals.
- Keep originals in your hand luggage, never in checked bags.
- Give a trusted person at home a copy of your key papers.
- Note down numbers (passport, visa, insurance policy) in a separate list. If a passport does go missing abroad, see what to do if your passport is lost or stolen abroad.
What you will need soon after you arrive
Paperwork continues after landing. In the UK, for example, newcomers usually need a National Insurance number, a bank account and a GP registration. In Canada, a Social Insurance Number is one of the first steps. In Australia, you can apply for a Tax File Number. Having your documents ready makes each of these faster. When you start sending money to family, read about hidden fees in international transfers before choosing a provider.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I start collecting documents?
As early as possible. Certificates, police checks and apostilles can take weeks.
Should I carry originals or copies?
Carry both. Originals prove authenticity; copies protect you if something goes missing.
Do I need a certified translation for every document?
Only if the destination authority requires it. Ask each organisation before you pay for translations.
What if a document is lost after I move?
Your scanned copies and a trusted contact at home make replacements much easier. Contact the issuing authority or your embassy.
Key takeaways
- Collect identity, civil, education, work, financial and health documents.
- Ask each destination body what format it accepts: original, copy, certified copy, apostille or translation.
- Make sure names and dates match across every document.
- Keep originals with you and digital copies in the cloud.
Related guides
- The moving abroad checklist
- Your first 90 days in a new country
- Why passport photos get rejected
- Lost or stolen passport abroad
- How to avoid visa and job offer scams
This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements vary by country and change often, so confirm with the relevant embassy or immigration authority. Last updated: October 2026.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Get a document legalised (apostille service)
- Government of Canada / Service Canada: Apply for a Social Insurance Number