The Clean Admin Exit Checklist (12–6 Months Before You Move Abroad)

By House of Peregrine

Moving abroad is exhilarating and deceptively admin-heavy. This checklist is designed to help you leave your current life cleanly: documents secured, systems organized, and loose ends closed before they become expensive, time-consuming problems from afar. Use it as a calm, practical runway in the 12–6 months before departure.

12 months out — Secure the essentials (identity + records)

Passports & IDs

☐ Check passport expiry dates for every family member
☐ Renew early so you have 18+ months validity from your move date
☐ Scan passports/IDs and save in your secure “Move Vault”

Driving

☐ Check whether your current driving license is valid in your new country (and for how long)
☐ Confirm whether you’ll need an International Driving Permit or a local license conversion
☐ Gather any documents you might need for conversion (license history, photos, proof of address)

School records

☐ Request latest school reports + transcripts (and any learning support notes if relevant)
☐ Ask for copies in signed/stamped format where possible (PDF + paper)

Medical + vaccination records

☐ Collect vaccination cards/records for each child
☐ Request a simple medical summary: allergies, ongoing conditions, medications
☐ Refill any essential prescriptions with transition time in mind

Build your “Move Vault”

☐ Create one shared folder (Drive/Notion) for: documents, scans, confirmations, receipts
☐ Create a one-page index: “Where originals live / where scans live” (or at minimum ensure your partner knows where everything is stored)

9 months out — Future-proof your paperwork (certify + apostille)

Civil & identity documents

☐ Order fresh copies of documents you might need abroad (as relevant):
- birth certificates (consider long-form if available)
- marriage/divorce certificates
- name-change documents
- diplomas/professional credentials

Certified copies / apostilles

☐ Get certified copies of key documents
☐ Get apostilles for anything you might need (it’s cheaper than a return trip)
☐ Order multiple certified/apostilled copies when possible

Optional but smart

☐ Translate core records if you’re moving to (or from) a non-English country (vaccines, school reports, civil docs)

6 months out — Clean up your “ties” (mail, accounts, deregistration)

Mail + address plan

☐ Decide how you’ll handle mail long-term (virtual mailbox or stable forwarding plan)
☐ List every account tied to your address (banks, insurance, government portals, schools, subscriptions)
☐ Update addresses intentionally—avoid a messy patchwork across accounts

Access & admin continuity

☐ Ensure both adults can access critical accounts (password manager + shared emergency access)
☐ Review 2-Factor Authentication (avoid relying on one phone number you may change/cancel)

Deregister / close / cancel (country-dependent)

☐ Identify what must be formally closed or deregistered before departure:
- municipality/local registration (if applicable)
- GP/health system registration (if applicable)
- utilities, internet, mobile contracts
- gyms, memberships, subscriptions
☐ Create a cancellation schedule for the final month
☐ Save confirmations/screenshots and record reference numbers in your Move Vault

Home logistics

☐ Decide: sell vs terminate lease vs sublet vs keep (and document the plan)
☐ Inventory valuables + originals you will carry (not ship)

A clean exit is a gift to your future self

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s less friction. If you handle these core admin tasks early, you buy back time, reduce stress, and land with more capacity for what actually matters: settling your family, building community, and making your new place feel like home. Keep this checklist visible, revisit it monthly, and document everything as you go.

Download the PDF here.

💡 This guide is inspired by the conversation Mickelle has on the podcasts. Let's keep the conversations going. Join the conversation here.