Moving abroad with children means proving who they are, who may act for them, and where they are in school. Public schools in many countries, and the ministries that place transferring students, ask for these documents apostilled and translated.
The birth certificate is the easy one: a certified copy, apostilled by the state that issued it. School records take one more step. A transcript or report card is signed by a school official before a notary, then apostilled by the notary’s state. Many schools do this for families on request.
If parents are separated, or only one parent is moving with the child, expect to be asked for the custody order or a notarized consent letter from the other parent, also apostilled.
At a glance
The documents usually involved
| Document | Issued or signed by | Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | State or county vital records | State apostille | Long form, with both parents named |
| Transcripts and report cards | The school, signed before a notary | State apostille | Ask the school registrar early |
| Vaccination records | Doctor or clinic | Notarized, then state apostille, if asked | Some countries accept them as they are |
| Custody order | Court clerk, certified copy | State apostille | If parents are separated |
| Parental consent letter | The other parent, before a notary | State apostille | If only one parent is travelling |
A typical set, not a guarantee. The authority receiving the documents sets the final list, so confirm it before ordering.
Things worth knowing
- School records need a school official’s signature, notarized, before they can be apostilled. A plain printout cannot be.
- Translation is usually required. See translation requirements.
- Older students’ diplomas follow the same route. See diploma apostille.
How it works
Step 1
Get the receiving authority's list
Then send it to us with what you already have.
Step 2
We map each document to its route
State, federal, notarized first, or legalization.
Step 3
One order for the whole set
Across every state involved, with copies ordered where needed.
Step 4
Returned ready to use
Translated if the destination needs it.
Enrolling a Child in School Abroad: common questions
Can you handle documents from several states in one order?
Yes. Each document goes to the state that issued it, or where it was notarized, and federal documents to the U.S. Department of State. We run them together and send the set back together.
What if the country is not in the Hague Convention?
Then each document needs authentication and embassy legalization instead of an apostille. See embassy legalization, or check your country with the country checker.
Ready to get started?
Send us the list you have been given, and we will price every document in one order.
Related: Birth certificate · Diploma apostille · Visa guides