Documents You Need to Move to the Caribbean From the USA

Core documents for every route

• US passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended arrival, plus copies of the biodata page.
• Certified long-form birth certificate for each applicant, issued by the state vital records office.
• Marriage certificate, divorce decree or death certificate where your name or family status has changed.
• Passport-standard photographs taken to the destination country's specification.
• Completed application forms signed and, where required, notarised.
• Police clearance — usually an FBI Identity History Summary, sometimes plus a state-level check.
• Medical certificate or health declaration, often including a recent examination and required tests.
• Proof of health insurance valid in the destination country.

Apostilles and certification

Most Caribbean countries are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, so US public documents normally need an apostille to be accepted. State-issued records such as birth and marriage certificates are apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state; federal documents such as the FBI check are apostilled by the US Department of State.

Order more certified copies than you think you need. Authorities often retain originals, and a second application later means repeating the whole process.

• Apostille each document individually — a bundle certification is usually rejected.
• Check whether the destination accepts documents older than three or six months; some require recent issue.
• Where the destination's official language is not English, use an approved translator and apostille or certify the translation too.

Additional documents by route

Shipping, vehicle and pet paperwork

• Detailed packing list and valuation for every item in your container — customs will price anything undeclared.
• Bill of lading and original purchase receipts for high-value goods and appliances.
• Vehicle title, registration and proof of ownership period if you are importing a car.
• Returning-national or duty-concession application forms where you qualify.
• Pet import permit, rabies titre test results and a USDA-endorsed veterinary health certificate — these have strict timing windows.

US-side records to settle before you leave

• Copies of recent federal tax returns; you will keep filing from abroad.
• Records of foreign account reporting obligations for any Caribbean bank account you open.
• School transcripts and immunisation records for each child, certified where required for enrolment.
• Professional licences, degree certificates and transcripts if you plan to work or register locally.
• A durable power of attorney for anyone handling US property, accounts or filings on your behalf.

Keep a single organised file

Scan every document at high resolution, name files consistently, and store both a cloud copy and an offline copy. Carry originals in hand luggage, never in shipped freight. Track expiry dates for police checks, medicals and photographs — several have short validity windows and are the most common cause of a re-submission.