Thinking of Fleeing the U.S.? To-Go Documents You will Need for Your Exit

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If you are thinking of leaving the U.S., you might consider preparing NOW for this possibility.

In any case, it is always a good idea to gather your important documents and place them in one area that is immediately accessible (grab and go). If nothing else, this project can be an exercise in considering how your family accesses your important papers if you are suddenly incapacitated or if your home catches fire and you need to make a quick exit.

This list, which may or may not be comprehensive to your specific situation, can help you get started, especially in acquiring documents that might be missing, such as Apostilles, certified birth and marriage certificates, and background check documents.

For all important documents, it’s always a good idea to make copies of them and include them in your “To-Go Document Box” and on your laptop and/or USB drives. Do NOT copy them on your desktop because, when you’re in a hurry, you may have to leave your big computer behind.

To-Go documents you will need:

 

1. Passports/Global Entry Cards/Social Security Cards/Contact Book/Emergency Contacts/Home Network Information/Mobile Phones

Originals and copies of U.S. Passports (including print and digital copies).

If you don’t have a Passport, check the State Department website for acquiring one. I recommend the expedited option; the extra cost is well worth it. 

Note: you will need an original of your birth certificate; when I renewed in 2026, I did not need an Apostille.

Global Entry Cards, if applicable (originals and copies, print and digital)

Social Security Cards (print and digital copies)

Comprehensive Contact Book with names, addresses, phone numbers, website addresses, and log-in information (print and digital)

Emergency Contacts List (print and digital)

Home Network Information (You may or may not need this)

Mobile phones and chargers (for foreign countries, you may need to buy compatible chargers in country.)

 

2. For Senior Citizens: Social Security, Medicare, Supplemental Medicare Insurance, and Medication Lists

Medicare cards and copies (print and digital). Keep in mind that Medicare is not accepted out of the U.S.

Original Supplemental Medicare insurance cards. Your supplemental plan MAY be valid overseas.

Dental Plan cards and copies (print and digital)

Vision Plan cards and copies (print and digital)

Medications lists (print and digital)

Summary of medical records and log-in information for current medical portals (print and digital)

 

3. Birth Certificates/ Baptism Document

Original Birth Certificates.

Note: If you can’t find your birth certificate, you must acquire an official one through the state where you were born. For example, Google “How do I acquire my official birth certificate in [my state of birth]?” Each state offers its own procedures for acquiring birth documents. Or refer to the CDC.gov website for links to individual states.  

Birth Certificates with Apostilles

Adoption Papers with Apostilles (if applicable)

Baptism Certificates (if available)

Old Apostilles are generally accepted IF the underlying document has not changed, as would be the case with birth certificates. 

 

4. Marriage Certificates

One original and copies (print and digital)

One with Apostille. Old Apostilles are generally accepted IF the underlying document has not changed, as would be the case with active marriage certificates.

Note: You must acquire the marriage certificate with Apostille from the state where you and your spouse got married. For example, Google “How do we acquire our official marriage certificate from [the state where we married]”? Or refer to the CDC.gov website for links to individual states. 

 

5. Divorce Documents (Apostilles may or may not be necessary)

If you are divorced and NOT remarried, you MAY need your divorce documents with an Apostille.

Note: You must acquire the divorce document with Apostille from the state where you and your ex-spouse got divorced. For example, Google “How do I acquire my official divorce document from [the state where I was divorced]”? Or refer to the CDC.gov website for links to individual states. 

 

6. Medical (Healthcare Providers) Information

For access to medical records and medical portal credentials

 

7. Life and Accidental Insurance Information

Original documents and latest payment receipts

Online credentials

 

8. Wills

 

9. Power of Attorney for each adult (if applicable)

 

10. Authorization for Retirement and Other Investment Accounts (if applicable)

In other words, who has access to your retirement and investment accounts if you are away or incapacitated?

 

11. Military (Active, Inactive, Retired)

Original and copies of DD-214 and other paperwork (print and digital)

 

12. Recent Background Checks for Each Adult (with Apostilles? Maybe…)

This one is dicey; applying too early may require you to reapply because background documents go “stale” quickly. According to your target country, a background record might be great one day and filled with criminal activity the next. They don’t know you and that the likelihood of your staying clean is 99.9 %.

Sorry. So when do you initiate a background check? 

The question is, do Apostilles for dynamic documents expire? Apparently so. Unlike birth and marriage certificates, a background check document is not considered a “stable” document. 

For more information on background checks, see travel.state.gov 

Note: Some countries require that you use a background check company vetted by them. Check with your target country before proceeding.

 

13. Homeowner’s Information:

Original house deed and supporting materials and copies (print and digital):

Title Insurance (print and digital)

Payoff letter and receipt (if applicable) (print and digital)

Original Mortgage Document with “Paid in Full” stamped on it (print and digital) (if applicable)

Current Loan Information with log-in credentials (print and digital) (if applicable)

Homeowners insurance information with account numbers and login information (website)

 

14. Vehicle/Auto Titles, Auto Insurance, and Auto Club Information

Originals and copies (print and digital)

State DMV website

Auto insurance website

 

15. Financial (with Account and Log-in Information)

Credit cards

Retirement and investment accounts

Bank and credit union account information

Bill-paying portal credentials

Checkbooks

CDs/IRAs

Stock Certificates (if applicable)

Safe deposit box information (better yet, empty out and close safe deposit box accounts)

 

16. Prepaid Legal Services Information (if applicable)

Member cards (print and digital)

Member information and website

 

17. Copyrights and Trademark Documents and Information (if applicable)

Original documents and copies (print and digital)

 

18. Tax Information: Federal, State, and Local (with log-in information)

If you have used a tax program for the past seven years, you will likely have a digital copy of your Federal and State files on a USB drive. If not, gather the last seven years of paper files and place them with your document box.

Original local tax documents (seven years) and copies (print and digital).

Website information for paying local taxes

 

19. Business Documents and Website Information (with log-in information)

Original documents and copies (print and digital)

 

20. Social Media Accounts Information (with log-in information)

 

21. Voter Registration Cards and Information (website information)

Original cards and copies (print and digital)

 

22. Home Network and Router Information (if applicable)

 

23. Backup Codes for Websites, Email Accounts, etc.

Codes (print and digital)

 

24. Key to Passwords, Preferably Coded

Key (print and digital)

 

25. Laptop with Peripherals, Chargers, and Cords

 

26. USB and Thumb Drives with Important Information

27. Last, but not Least, Check the OFFICIAL Website of your Target Country for Visa, Document, and Cost Information.

Each country sets its own visa, document, and cost requirements.

Know before you go.