Teaching Abroad? Here's Your Document Checklist

So you've landed a teaching position overseas — congratulations! Before you pack, you'll need to gather a set of documents that most countries require teachers to submit with their work visa application and teaching license. Nearly all of them need to be apostilled before they'll be accepted.

Here's the checklist teachers need, and how to get every document certified for international use.

1. University Diploma / Degree

Your degree certificate is the core credential — many countries won't issue a teaching visa without it. You'll need a certified copy of your diploma and it must be apostilled. For teaching English specifically, a TEFL certification is often also required.

2. Academic Transcripts

Alongside your degree, you'll need official transcripts showing your coursework and grades. Order them from your university's registrar in a sealed envelope, then request the apostille on the official transcript.

3. Degree Authentication (Some Countries)

Countries like China, Spain, and the UAE often require more than an apostille — they may want your degree authenticated and evaluated by an approved credential evaluation agency (like WES or FIS) in addition to the apostille. Check with your employer about which certifications your specific destination needs.

4. FBI Background Check

International schools require a clean criminal background check to safeguard students. You'll need an FBI background check, which takes the federal apostille path (through the U.S. State Department). Start this early — it's often the longest lead-time item.

5. Teaching License / Certificate (If Applicable)

Certified teachers should include their state teaching license or professional teaching certificate. It is currently issued by the state, which needs an apostille from that state's Secretary of State.

6. Personal Documents

Many schools and countries also request certified copies of your birth certificate and, if relevant, marriage certificate (for spouse visas or family considerations). These are state documents and get apostilles from your birth/marriage state.

7. Signed Teaching Contracts & Offer Letters

Some work visa applications require notarized copies of your employment contract or offer letter. As notaries, we can notarize these and, if the destination country requires it for the visa, apostille the notarized copy.

Order of Operations Matters

Don't wait until you have everything — start the FBI background check and certified copies as early as possible, because they have the longest turnaround. While waiting on those, assemble your diploma, transcripts, and personal documents. Then send everything for apostille (and authentication, if required) together.

We Make the Whole Process Painless

Between your FBI check (federal), diploma and transcripts (state), and contracts (notarized), teaching abroad docs span multiple issuing authorities. CieloSky coordinates it all — we know exactly what each country requires and return you a complete, certified package ready to present to your future employer.

Get a free quote: call (973) 641-0574 or send us your list. Hablamos español.