Moving to Canada can involve several types of UK paperwork, depending on whether you are relocating for work, study, family, permanent residency or professional registration.
Canadian authorities, employers, universities, banks and licensing bodies may ask for UK documents to confirm your identity, qualifications, employment history, family status or criminal record. Preparing the right documents before you move can make the process much smoother.
Personal and family documents
Personal documents are often needed for immigration, family applications, school enrolment, inheritance or local administration.
Common examples include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce documents, death certificates, deed polls and adoption certificates.
For formal use, it is usually safest to use an original or official certified copy issued by the correct UK authority. A simple photocopy or scan may not be accepted where formal verification is required.
Immigration and residency documents
If you are applying for a visa, work permit, study permit, family sponsorship or permanent residency, you may be asked for supporting UK documents.
This can include civil status documents, police certificates, education records, employment evidence, financial records and proof of relationship.
The exact requirements depend on the application type, so check the Canadian authority’s document checklist before arranging certification or legalisation.
Police certificates and background checks
Criminal record checks are commonly requested for Canadian immigration, employment, volunteering or professional registration.
You may need an ACRO Police Certificate, DBS check or other background document depending on the purpose.
The format matters. Some certificates must be originals, while others may need certification before they can be prepared for overseas use.
Work and professional documents
If you are moving to Canada for employment or professional licensing, your employer or regulator may ask for UK qualification and employment documents.
These may include degree certificates, academic transcripts, professional registration certificates, employer references, payslips, tax records or training certificates.
Some professional bodies may require documents to be certified, legalised or sent in a specific format.
Education and study documents
Students moving to Canada may need UK education documents for university, college or training applications.
Common examples include GCSE or A-level certificates, degree certificates, diplomas, academic transcripts, enrolment letters and academic references.
If the institution needs proof that a document is genuine, it may ask for certification or legalisation before acceptance.
School documents for children
Families moving to Canada with children may need school records for admissions or grade placement.
These can include academic reports, attendance records, transfer letters, predicted grades or confirmation of enrolment.
Because UK school documents are often issued digitally, they may need school verification and solicitor or notary certification before being used formally overseas.
Banking and financial records
Canadian banks, landlords, employers or immigration authorities may ask for UK financial documents.
This may include bank statements, proof of income, pension letters, HMRC records, mortgage statements or proof of address.
Many of these documents are issued online, so a printed PDF may need certification before it can be accepted for official use.
Translation and additional requirements
Most UK documents are in English, which may make them easier to use in many Canadian processes. However, some applications or institutions may still require documents in a specific format or with certified copies.
If any supporting document is not in English or French, translation may be required.
Always check the receiving authority’s wording before preparing documents, especially for immigration, professional licensing or education applications.
Prepare before leaving the UK
It is usually easier to organise documents before moving to Canada. You can order replacement certificates, contact schools or universities, arrange solicitor or notary certification and prepare police or employment records while still in the UK.
If you are moving to Canada, 12 Apostille can review your UK documents, confirm whether certification or legalisation is needed and help prepare them correctly for overseas use.