Documents for your move, ready in time.

The documents to gather

The list Rootstep starts your Documents with, grouped the same way. Each card says which form to bring: the original, a certified copy, an apostille or legalisation, a sworn translation, or a digital copy. “Hand luggage” marks what to keep with you on the day you travel.

Every adult

For every adult who moves.

• Hand luggageCheck the expiry date

  Passport

  For each adult: original.

  Some countries ask for months of validity after arrival; the official page says how long.

• Hand luggageCheck the expiry date

  National ID card

  For each adult: original.

  Only where your country issues one.

• Hand luggage

  Biometric photos in the destination's size

  For each person: passport-style photo.

  Sizes differ between countries.

• Hand luggage

  Birth certificate

  For each adult: certified copy, apostille or legalisation, sworn translation.

• Hand luggage

  Marriage or partnership certificate

  For each adult: certified copy, apostille or legalisation, sworn translation.

  If you are married or in a registered partnership.

• Hand luggage

  Divorce decree or spouse's death certificate

  For each adult: certified copy, apostille or legalisation, sworn translation.

  If it applies to you.

• Proof of address at home (lease or utility bill)

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

• Hand luggage

  Proof of accommodation at the destination

  One for the household: original.

  Lease, booking or host letter.

• Hand luggage

  Landlord's move-in confirmation

  One for the household: original.

  Only where registration requires one.

• Hand luggageCheck the expiry date

  Health insurance proof

  For each person: original, digital copy is enough.

  Travel cover first, then local cover.

• Hand luggage

  Vaccination record

  For each adult: original, sworn translation.

• When you move abroadHand luggage

  Police clearance certificate

  For each adult: original, apostille or legalisation, sworn translation.

  Only where a visa or job asks for it; the issuing page says how long it stays valid.

• Bank statements or proof of funds

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

• Last tax return and tax number at home

  For each adult: digital copy is enough.

• Social security or pension records

  For each adult: digital copy is enough.

• Hand luggageCheck the expiry date

  Driving licence

  For each adult: original, sworn translation.

• When you move abroadHand luggageCheck the expiry date

  International driving permit

  For each adult: original.

• Employment or income records

  For each adult: digital copy is enough.

• Medical and dental records

  For each person: sworn translation.

  Ask for a summary in plain terms.

• Hand luggage

  Prescriptions with generic medicine names

  For each person: original, sworn translation.

• When you move abroad

  Power of attorney for affairs at home

  For each adult: original.

• Will and beneficiary forms

  For each adult: digital copy is enough.

Work

If you move for work.

• Hand luggage

  Employment contract or binding job offer

  For each adult: original.

  Salary and start date visible.

• With a transferHand luggage

  Transfer letter from your employer

  For each adult: original.

• Hand luggage

  University degree and transcripts

  For each adult: certified copy, sworn translation.

• If your profession is regulatedHand luggage

  Professional licence or registration

  For each adult: certified copy, apostille or legalisation, sworn translation.

  Often the longest lead time.

• CV and references

  For each adult: digital copy is enough.

• If you work for yourself

  Business registration and tax clearance

  For each adult: certified copy, sworn translation.

• Employment certificate and final payslip

  For each adult: digital copy is enough.

Study

If you move to study.

• Hand luggage

  Admission or enrolment letter

  For each person: original.

• Hand luggage

  Proof of funds (blocked account, scholarship or sponsor letter)

  For each person: original.

• Hand luggage

  Previous diplomas and transcripts

  For each person: certified copy, sworn translation.

• Hand luggage

  Language test certificate

  For each person: original.

• Hand luggageCheck the expiry date

  Student health insurance

  For each person: original.

• Hand luggage

  Research or hosting agreement

  For each person: original.

  Researchers only.

Family reunion

If you join family.

• Hand luggage

  Sponsor's passport, permit or citizenship proof

  One for the household: certified copy.

• Proof of relationship for unmarried partners

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

  Shared lease, photos, letters.

• Proof of the sponsor's income and home size

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

• Hand luggage

  Basic language certificate

  For each adult: original.

  Only where spouses show one.

Children and teenagers

When children move with you.

• Hand luggageCheck the expiry date

  Child's passport

  For each child: original.

  Children's passports expire sooner.

• Hand luggage

  Birth certificate naming both parents

  For each child: certified copy, apostille or legalisation, sworn translation.

• Hand luggage

  Consent letter from a parent who is not travelling

  For each child: original, apostille or legalisation.

  With a copy of that parent's ID.

• Hand luggage

  Custody order or sole-custody proof

  For each child: certified copy, apostille or legalisation, sworn translation.

  If it applies.

• Hand luggage

  Vaccination record

  For each child: original, sworn translation.

• Hand luggage

  School reports and leaving certificate

  For each child: certified copy, sworn translation.

• Learning support or medical reports

  For each child: sworn translation.

  If it applies.

• With teenagersHand luggageCheck the expiry date

  Teenager's own ID and consent

  For each child: original.

• With children under six

  Childcare cancellation

  For each child: digital copy is enough.

Retirement

If you move to retire.

• Pension award letters and proof of income

  For each adult: digital copy is enough, sworn translation.

• Hand luggageCheck the expiry date

  Health cover that carries over (for example the EU S1 form)

  For each adult: original.

• Proof of assets or savings

  For each adult: digital copy is enough.

• Medical summary and medicine list

  For each adult: sworn translation.

Pets

When pets move with you.

• Hand luggage

  Microchip record

  For each pet: original.

  Chip before the rabies shot.

• Hand luggageCheck the expiry date

  Rabies vaccination certificate

  For each pet: original.

• Hand luggage

  Rabies antibody test result

  For each pet: original.

  Only where asked for.

• Hand luggage

  Veterinary health certificate, officially endorsed

  For each pet: original.

  Issued shortly before travel.

• Hand luggage

  Tapeworm treatment record

  For each pet: original.

  Some destinations, dogs.

• Hand luggageCheck the expiry date

  Pet passport or import permit

  For each pet: original.

• Airline or pet transport booking

  For each pet: digital copy is enough.

• Hand luggage

  Breed documents

  For each pet: original.

  Where breed rules apply.

• Local pet registration and dog tax

  For each pet: original.

Vehicles

If a car is part of your move.

• Hand luggage

  Title or registration certificate

  For each vehicle: original.

  Lien release if financed.

• If a car is part of your move

  Proof of how long you have owned it

  For each vehicle: digital copy is enough.

  Duty-free import depends on how long you have owned the car; the official page says.

• Check the expiry date

  Insurance certificate

  For each vehicle: digital copy is enough.

• Insurer letter with your claims-free years

  For each vehicle: digital copy is enough.

• If you ship the carHand luggage

  Export declaration and shipping bill

  For each vehicle: original.

• If a car is part of your moveHand luggage

  Conformity or emissions certificate

  For each vehicle: original, sworn translation.

  Can block registration. Check before shipping.

• If a car is part of your moveHand luggageCheck the expiry date

  Technical inspection certificate

  For each vehicle: original.

• If you sell the car

  Sale contract and transfer notice

  For each vehicle: original.

• If you drive

  Licence exchange papers (licence, translation, photo, eye test)

  For each adult: original, sworn translation, passport-style photo.

Housing and household goods

For the home you leave, the move and the new home.

• If you rent now

  Current lease

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

• If you rent now

  Notice letter and landlord's confirmation

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

• If you rent now

  Handover record with photos and meter readings

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

• If you own your home

  Sale or letting contract for your home

  One for the household: original.

• Hand luggage

  New lease or purchase contract

  One for the household: original.

• Valued inventory of household goods

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

  Built from Boxes.

• When you move abroad

  Proof you changed residence (deregistration, lease)

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

  For duty-free import of your goods.

• If you use movers or a courier

  Mover's contract and insurance certificate

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

• Final utility bills and meter readings

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

• Mail forwarding confirmation

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

Visa and permits

If you need a visa.

• Hand luggageCheck the expiry date

  Visa or approval letter

  For each person: original.

  Check names, dates and the latest entry date.

• Completed application forms and fee receipts

  For each person: digital copy is enough.

• Hand luggage

  Visa medical report

  For each person: original.

  Only where your route requires one.

After arrival

Once you have arrived.

• Address registration certificate

  One for the household: original.

  Where the country registers residents.

• If you need a visaCheck the expiry date

  Residence permit card

  For each person: original.

• Local tax or personal ID number letter

  For each person: original.

• Check the expiry date

  Local health insurance card

  For each person: original.

• Local bank account details

  For each adult: digital copy is enough.

• Local levy registrations (broadcast fee, waste, local tax)

  One for the household: digital copy is enough.

  Where they exist.