Apostille Services · Federal Documents

Moving Overseas? Here’s Every Document You May Need

Whether you’re accepting a job abroad, pursuing dual citizenship, studying internationally, getting married overseas, or relocating permanently, your paperwork matters. Some documents may need to be notarized. Others may require an apostille. Some countries require authentication instead. Others require certified translations. This guide helps you understand the most common documents people prepare before moving overseas, so you can move forward with confidence.
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Every Move Is Different

No two international moves require exactly the same paperwork. Your destination country…

Your purpose, and the type of documents you have… all affect what you’ll need. The checklist below covers the documents people most commonly prepare before relocating internationally.

Want a more in-depth, categorized international document checklist? Keep reading.
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International Document Checklist

What is an international document checklist? Well, an international document checklist is a list of personal, educational, legal, or business documents that may need to be prepared before they can be accepted in another country. Depending on the destination, this may include apostilles, authentication, legalization, certified translations, or notarization.

Identity Documents

  • Passport
  • Birth Certificate
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Divorce Decree
  • Death Certificate
  • Name Change
  • Documents

Education

  • Diplomas
  • University Degrees
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Teaching Certificates
  • Professional Licenses

Employment

  • FBI Background Check
  • State Background Check
  • Employment Verification
  • Reference Letters
  • Professional Certifications
  • Resume

Family

  • Adoption Records
  • Custody Agreements
  • Child Consent Forms
  • Medical Records
  • Vaccination Records

Business

  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Operating Agreement
  • Corporate Resolutions
  • Certificates of Good Standing
  • Powers of Attorney
    Contracts

Financial

  • Bank Letters
  • Tax Documents
  • Income Verification
  • Affidavits
  • Estate Documents
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Which Documents Usually Need an Apostille?

Below is a chart of documents that are commonly in need of an apostille.

Document

Sometimes

Often

Depends

Birth Certificate

Marriage Certificate

Diploma

FBI Background Check

Business Documents

Passport Copy

Country
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The Four-Step Process

This is what to expect when getting your international documents coordinated.

1. Identify Your Documents

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2. Confirm Destination Requirements

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3. Prepare Your Paperwork

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4. Receive Docs Ready For Int’l Use

Common Reasons Documents Are Rejected

  • Wrong version.
  • Expired document.
  • Photocopy instead of certified copy.
  • Incorrect notarization.
  • Wrong issuing agency.
  • Missing signatures.
  • Country-specific requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

More about International Document Coordination

No, not all countries require apostilles. Only members of the Hague Apostille Convention actually accept them, while non-Hague member nations require a different multi-step legalization process. That said, over 125 countries participate in the treaty, but those outside of it use different verifications.

It depends on the country receiving your documents and the type of document. Countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention generally accept apostilles, while others may require authentication and embassy legalization.

An apostille and an authentication both verify the seal (and signature) of a public official. They do this so that a document can be used in another country. The main differences include destination country treaties, number of steps, and embassy involvement.

Plain photocopies can’t be used for an apostille, but you do have an option. You can use a copy if it’s properly notarized as a ‘certified copy’ or a sworn statement. To proceed successfully, you must use original documents (or certified, notarized copies) from an issuing agency, or notarized copy certifications.

Whether you need a translation depends on the requirements of the foreign country or receiving institution you’re targeting, because an apostille only verifies the authenticity of a signature and seal, not the content of the document.

Yes, someone else (or a professional service like Veritas On-The-Go Solutions) can submit your paperwork for an apostille or authentication. The only thing is the exact rules depend on whether you use mail, walk-in options, or a third-party courier.

International document coordination for apostille or authentication usually takes anywhere from 3 business days in the best cases, to 16 weeks in the most challenging cases, with 4-to-6 weeks being the average time for Veritas On-The-Go Solutions clients. This timing is driven primarily by state vs. federal processing, mail-in versus walk-in methods, and whether the destination country requires embassy legalization.

Not Sure What You Need?

Every international journey starts with one easy chat.

If you’re unsure which documents your destination country requires, I’ll help you understand your options before you spend time or money preparing paperwork.
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