My ultimate checklist for moving internationally

Here’s my (ever-growing) list of things to do. Am I forgetting something? No, I am forgetting many things! I’ll keep adding to this as I figure it all out.

Note that this list is for my specific situation: homeowner with a job and kids but no pets, moving on a spouse visa from the US to the UK.

1 year before moving

• Renew passports and drivers licenses if needed

• Get copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other important paperwork

• Get finances in order for UK spouse visa

• Plan an exploratory trip. Tour schools and check out neighborhoods

6 months before moving

• Start downsizing stuff. Clean out cupboards, have a garage sale, donate old things, throw stuff away

• Start prepping house for sale. Talk to real estate agent, make any needed repairs

• Prep paperwork and apply for spouse visa

• Confirm if life insurance is still valid overseas

• Make sure retirement accounts are still accessible from abroad

• Schedule doctor and dentist appointments for the whole family

Less than 3 months until move

• Get everyone’s medical, dental and vaccine records

• Notify school that we’re not returning for next year and get school records

• Make sure all tax paperwork is in order and in a safe spot for moving

• Keep CPA and financial advisor in the loop about the big move. Maybe check in with the IRS and the Social Security administration too.

• Find a house to rent and secure it for arrival

• Possibly send husband to England to get some things in order for us ahead of time (i.e., lock in the rental home and set up utilities, buy a car and carseats, get new car insurance, etc.)

• Start consolidating finances. Close extra savings accounts and credit cards, sell stock, etc.

• Put house up for sale (may need to rent back from buyers depending on closing date)

• Book movers to send important stuff via cargo ship (get a couple of quotes first)

• Talk to new school once we have a UK address

• Book airplane tickets for move

• Get prescriptions refilled

• Start scheduling going away drinks with friends

30 days until move

• Notify work of last day

• Sell car and book a rental for the final month

• Set aside the belongings that are coming in a suitcase. Sell, donate or toss the rest

• Do some fun final things with kids - go to the places they like, eat the food they like, take time to hang together

• Arrange mail forwarding and update address with US banks and anyone who needs it

• Close on house sale

• Cancel utilities - gas and electric, water, internet, streaming services, automatic monthly transfers to savings and 529s

• Cancel auto insurance and homeowners insurance, and get refunds

• Confirm visa and NHS access are in order

• Cancel phone plans and figure out what to do with phone numbers - see about keeping number with Google Fi?

• Transfer a bunch of money to our UK bank account

• Save some time for all the last minute stuff I’ve forgotten

First 30 days after move

• Buy the household essentials (food, toiletries, kitchen equipment, basic furnishings)

• Finalize any utility setups (council tax, internet, heating, water, etc)

• Find local doctor and dentist and confirm prescriptions

• Set up new phone numbers and SIM cards

• Confirm school enrollment is complete

• Get any new debit and credit cards in order

• Sign up for driving classes to start process of getting UK drivers licenses

• Start exploring our new home!

What’s coming in our suitcases:

• Enough clothes to last for a few weeks (shirts, bottoms, undies, socks, pjs, jackets, shoes, sandals, boots, swimsuits)

• Typical toiletries (medicines, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, soap, facewash, lotion, makeup, brushes, nail clippers, tweezers, basically whatever is sitting out on our dressers and bathroom sinks will get scooped up into a suitcase)

• Toddler stuff (our youngest will be 2.5 so not sure where she’ll be at… maybe diapers, wipes, toys, books, stuffed animals, sleepsack if she’s still in it, white noise machine and adaptor if she still needs it, stroller, maybe an iPad and headphones)

• Kid stuff (toys, books, stuffed animals, iPad and headphones, comfort blanket and pillow)

• Technology (laptops, phones, chargers)

• Important paperwork (passports, birth certificates, marriage certificate, tax documents, will and testament)

• Wallets with debit and credit cards, and probably some paper money just in case

• Snacks, snacks, more snacks, and water bottles

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