Teachers moving overseas are often asked for a detailed set of UK documents before they can start work. International schools, education authorities, visa offices and recruitment agencies may need proof of qualifications, teaching status, employment history and criminal record checks.
The documents may be valid in the UK, but they may still need certification, legalisation, translation or embassy attestation before they are accepted abroad.
Proof of teaching qualifications
Most overseas schools will ask for evidence of your teaching qualifications.
This may include a degree certificate, PGCE certificate, QTS certificate, teaching diploma, academic transcript or other education-related qualification.
Some documents can be certified and legalised quickly. Others may need verification from the university, awarding body or professional organisation before certification can be completed.
DBS checks and police certificates
Criminal record checks are commonly requested for teaching roles abroad because the work involves children and safeguarding responsibilities.
You may be asked for a DBS certificate, ACRO Police Certificate, Disclosure Scotland certificate or AccessNI certificate depending on the employer and destination country.
The route depends on the document type. DBS certificates usually need solicitor or notary certification before legalisation, while ACRO certificates are normally submitted as originals.
Employment references from schools
International schools often request references or experience letters from previous UK schools.
These letters may confirm your job title, dates of employment, subjects taught, year groups, responsibilities and conduct.
A reference letter should ideally be on school letterhead, signed by an authorised person and dated. Because it is a private document, it may need solicitor or notary certification before legalisation.
Professional registration and status documents
Some countries or international schools may ask for proof of professional status or registration.
This can include QTS confirmation, teacher reference numbers, professional body letters or confirmation from an education authority.
If the document is issued digitally or does not carry a verifiable signature, it may need certification before it can be legalised.
Safeguarding and training certificates
Teachers may also be asked for safeguarding training certificates, first aid certificates, SEN training, leadership certificates or other professional development records.
These documents are often issued by private providers or online platforms. Because of this, they may need verification and solicitor or notary certification before being prepared for overseas use.
Check whether the employer actually requires these documents to be legalised before arranging the process.
Medical and fitness documents
Some overseas teaching roles require medical paperwork before a visa or employment contract is finalised.
This may include a fit-to-work letter, medical report, vaccination record or lab result.
The document may need to carry a verifiable medical signature. If not, solicitor or notary certification may be required before legalisation.
Translation and embassy attestation
If the destination country does not accept English documents, certified or sworn translation may be required.
For countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention, legalisation may not be the final step. Embassy or consular attestation may also be needed before the documents are accepted.
This is particularly important for teaching roles in countries with strict visa and education authority requirements.
Check the employer’s document list
Before preparing documents, ask the school, recruiter or education authority for a written checklist.
Confirm which documents are required, how recent they must be, whether originals or certified copies are accepted, and whether legalisation, translation or embassy attestation is needed.
If you are moving overseas for a teaching role, 12 Apostille can review your document list, confirm the correct route and manage certification, legalisation or attestation where required.