Checklist · 2–3 months ahead · your ticks are saved
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How it works
Tick off items — your progress is calculated instantly and saved in your browser.
What documents to prepare before moving to the US
The most important are the ones that are hard or expensive to get from abroad: apostilled birth and marriage certificates, diplomas and transcripts, a police clearance certificate, medical records and your children’s vaccination records.
Get certified English translations and scans of every document. Keep copies in the cloud and separately on a flash drive.
How many months ahead to start
Ideally 2–3 months before you leave. An apostille and a police certificate can take several weeks, and a consulate appointment even longer.
The checklist above is ordered the way it’s easiest to do things: first what takes time, then finances and belongings.
Money and powers of attorney
Give a power of attorney to someone you trust who can handle property, banking and government matters in your home country.
If you bring more than $10,000 in cash per family, you must declare it when entering the US. It isn’t prohibited, but hiding it is a violation.
FAQ
Should I translate documents before moving?+
Preferably. An apostille can only be added in the country that issued the document, and translation is easier and cheaper to arrange in advance.
What vaccinations do children need for school in the US?+
Requirements are set by the state. Bring a vaccination record with dates — in the US it will be checked against the local schedule and any missing shots given.
Can I bring more than $10,000 into the US?+
Yes, but amounts over $10,000 per family must be declared on entry.
The magazine’s tools are for self-checking. They don’t diagnose and don’t replace a specialist’s advice. Calculations run in your browser.
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