Moving Abroad? We Can Help Prepare Your U.S. Documents
Relocating to another country usually means proving who you are with paperwork issued in the United States — and foreign offices rarely accept a plain U.S. copy on its own.
An apostille or authentication is the certificate that lets a foreign authority confirm your U.S. document is genuine. We review what you have, explain the route, and handle the submission for you.
Why this comes up for people in your position
Most relocation paperwork is handled by an immigration office, consulate, landlord, bank, school, or employer in your destination country. Each of them decides what proof they will accept, and those lists are not identical from country to country.
People moving abroad often discover an authentication requirement late — at the visa interview, at a residency appointment, or when registering with a local town hall. Because U.S. records are issued by different offices (a county, a state, or a federal agency), the correct route depends on who issued each document, not on where you are moving from.
Not everyone who moves abroad needs an apostille. Ask the office receiving your paperwork exactly which documents they require, whether they want an apostille or consular legalization, and whether a certified translation is expected. Bring that list to us and we will tell you what each item needs.
Exact document requirements are determined by the foreign authority, consulate, or organization receiving your paperwork, and they vary by country, purpose, and document. Always confirm their written list before ordering or authenticating anything.
Documents that may be requested
This is not a required checklist — it is a list of items people in this situation are commonly asked for.
Often requested for residency or long-stay visa applications.
Certified state-issued copy, sometimes long-form.
Used to register a spouse or dependent.
Requested when a residency route depends on qualifications.
Lets someone handle U.S. affairs while you are overseas.
May be requested to show current marital status.
How the process works
- 1Tell us what you're trying to accomplish
Share the destination country, the purpose of the document, and your deadline. That context drives every other decision.
- 2We review your document situation
We look at what you have, who issued it, and whether a certified copy, notarization, or replacement is needed first.
- 3We determine the appropriate authentication route
State apostille, federal authentication, or embassy legalization — the route depends on the issuing office and the destination country.
- 4Your documents are submitted and returned
We prepare and submit the package, track it, and return your documents by mail, courier, or local hand delivery.
Mobile Notary Philadelphia assists with review, notarization, preparation, and submission. The apostille or authentication certificate itself is issued by the appropriate government authority, not by our office.
Where was your document issued?
The route depends on which office issued the document. State-issued records go to that state, and federally issued records are authenticated at the federal level. If your documents came from more than one place, they travel separate paths.
Records issued in Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia County vital records.
Records issued in New Jersey, including South Jersey counties.
Documents issued by U.S. federal agencies.
The FBI Identity History Summary route.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ordering documents in the wrong sequence — a background check or vital record can expire against a country's recency window while you wait on other items
- Assuming a notarized photocopy of a birth certificate can be apostilled instead of a certified state copy
- Shipping everything to one office when vital records, federal records, and notarized documents go to different authorities
- Booking flights before confirming the destination country's document list in writing
- Skipping translation planning — many countries want the translation completed after the apostille is attached
Services that may help
Moving Abroad — FAQ
Not Sure Where to Start?
Tell us what document you have, where it was issued, the destination country, what the document will be used for, and your deadline. We'll explain the next step.