Moving a family abroad: the documents to start gathering now
Whatever route you choose, the same paperwork comes up again and again. A checklist to start with — long before you need it.
Relocation is exciting, but it runs on paperwork. Whether a family is applying for residency, citizenship or school places abroad, the same core documents appear in almost every process — and many of them take weeks or months to obtain.
Starting early is the single best thing you can do.
For every family member
- Passports with plenty of remaining validity. Many programmes and countries require several months beyond your planned travel.
- Birth certificates, ideally full or long-form versions listing both parents.
- National identity cards, where your country issues them.
- Passport-style photographs meeting the destination's specifications.
For the family unit
- Marriage certificate, and any divorce or custody documents where relevant.
- Adoption papers where applicable.
- Consent documents if a child is travelling or applying without both parents.
Background and health
- Police certificates from your country of citizenship and any country where you have lived for a significant period. These often expire after a few months, so timing matters.
- Medical records and vaccination histories, especially for school-age children.
Education
- School reports and transcripts from recent years, with official translations where needed.
- Diplomas and degree certificates for adults whose qualifications may need recognising.
- Language certificates if any have been taken.
Financial and professional
- Proof of address, such as utility statements.
- Employment letters, business registration documents or professional licences.
- A documented history of your finances, as many programmes ask where funds originate.
Translations and legalisation
Documents in one language often need certified translation for another country. Many also require an apostille or consular legalisation. Check the exact format each authority accepts before you order anything.
A final tip
Keep scans of everything in one secure place and record the issue and expiry date of each document. Kaitu clients do this in their portal, where every document is stored securely and linked to the step it belongs to.
If you'd like a checklist tailored to your family and destination, book a free consultation.
