Accepting a job overseas is exciting, but the paperwork can quickly become urgent. Before you can start work, your employer, immigration authority or professional regulator may ask for UK documents proving your identity, qualifications, employment history, health status or criminal record.
The earlier you confirm the document list, the easier it is to avoid delays with onboarding, visa processing or professional registration.
Ask HR for the exact document list
Start by asking the overseas HR team for a written document checklist.
The checklist should confirm which documents are needed, whether originals or certified copies are accepted, whether legalisation is required, and whether translation or embassy attestation is also needed.
Do not assume that a normal UK copy will be enough. Many overseas employers need documents in a formal legalised format before they can complete onboarding.
Proof of identity
Your passport will usually be required for identity checks, visa applications and employment records.
Some employers or authorities may also request a certified copy of your passport. A passport copy normally needs to be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before it can be legalised.
Check whether the receiving authority wants solicitor certification or notarisation, as using the wrong route can cause delays.
Qualification certificates and transcripts
For many overseas roles, especially regulated or skilled positions, you may need to provide degree certificates, diplomas, academic transcripts or training certificates.
Some certificates can be certified and legalised quickly. Others may need verification from the university, college or awarding body before certification can be completed.
If the start date is close, contact the issuing institution as early as possible.
Employment references and experience letters
Overseas employers often ask for letters confirming your previous roles, duties, dates of employment and sometimes salary or conduct.
These letters should ideally be on company letterhead, dated and signed by an authorised person.
Because employer letters are private documents, they usually need solicitor or notary certification before they can be legalised for overseas use.
Police checks and background documents
Criminal record checks are commonly requested before overseas employment, particularly for roles in healthcare, education, finance, childcare, government or security.
Depending on the requirement, you may need an ACRO Police Certificate, DBS certificate or another background check.
The legalisation route depends on the document type. Some certificates must be submitted as originals, while others need certification first.
Medical and health documents
Some overseas employers or visa authorities ask for medical documents before you can start work.
This may include a fit-to-work letter, medical report, vaccination record, lab result or mental health assessment.
The document may need a verifiable medical signature. If the signature cannot be checked directly, solicitor or notary certification may be required before legalisation.
Professional registration documents
If your role is regulated, you may need proof of professional registration, licensing or good standing.
This can apply to healthcare workers, teachers, engineers, accountants, lawyers and other regulated professionals.
Documents from professional bodies may need to be originals, recently issued, certified, legalised or translated depending on the receiving authority’s rules.
Translation and embassy attestation
If your destination country does not accept English documents, certified or sworn translation may be required.
For countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention, UK legalisation may not be the final step. Embassy or consular attestation may also be required before the document can be accepted.
These extra stages can affect your start date, so confirm them early.
Prepare before deadlines become urgent
Once you have accepted an overseas job offer, gather your key UK documents straight away. Check names, dates, document formats and whether any certificates need replacing.
Preparing documents correctly from the beginning helps avoid last-minute rejection and delays to your start date.
If you have accepted a job overseas, 12 Apostille can review your document checklist, confirm the correct route and manage certification, legalisation, translation or attestation where required.