Critical steps to complete before leaving the US - don't board that plane without these!
Back to Home | Next: DAFT Overview
Start these FIRST - they take the longest!
- Birth Certificate (REQUIRED)
- Order certified copy from your state vital records office
- Get apostille from your state Secretary of State
- Cost: $20-50 for certificate + $10-25 for apostille
- Needed for: Municipality registration, future citizenship applications
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Apostille from state where marriage was registered
- Needed for: Spouse visa, name changes, family registration
- Divorce Decree (if applicable)
- Certified copy + apostille from issuing court's state
- University Diplomas (recommended)
- May be needed for professional licensing
- Apostille from state where university is located
- Validity: Must be valid for at least 15 months beyond arrival
- Blank Pages: Need at least 2-3 blank pages for residence permit stickers
- Renewal: If renewing, do it NOW (processing: 6-8 weeks standard, 2-3 weeks expedited)
- Second Passport: Consider if you travel frequently (allows one for visa processing)
Banking and Financial
- Keep at least one US bank account
- Charles Schwab: No foreign ATM fees, no minimum balance
- Fidelity: Good international ATM access
- Avoid: Banks that close accounts for non-US addresses
- Credit Cards
- Keep 2-3 US credit cards active (pay small recurring charges)
- Cards with no foreign transaction fees: Chase Sapphire, Capital One Venture
- Notify banks of your move (or use a US address)
- US Address Maintenance
- CRITICAL for banking, IRS, state taxes, credit cards
- Options: Family member, mail forwarding service, registered agent
- Popular services: US Global Mail, Traveling Mailbox, Earth Class Mail
- Investment Accounts
- Some brokerages restrict non-resident accounts
- Do NOT buy European ETFs (PFIC tax nightmare)
- Consult expat tax advisor before making changes
- File all outstanding returns before leaving
- Find an expat tax specialist (you'll need one for FBAR, FATCA, Form 2555)
- Understand state tax implications
- Some states (CA, NM, SC, VA) are "sticky" for tax purposes
- May need to formally establish non-residency
- IRS address change: File Form 8822 after establishing Dutch address
Mail and Services
- USPS Mail Forwarding: Set up to forward to family/mail service (max 1 year)
- Cancel/Transfer: Utilities, subscriptions, gym memberships
- Download: All important account statements, tax documents to cloud storage
- Notify: Banks, credit cards, IRS, Social Security, voter registration
- Dental Work: Complete all dental work (Dutch insurance barely covers dental)
- Vision: Eye exam, new glasses/contacts, stock up (not well covered)
- Physical Exam: Get a full checkup
- Vaccinations: Ensure all standard vaccines are current
- Specialist Visits: Any ongoing conditions - see specialists before leaving
- 90-Day Supply: Get maximum allowed refill of all prescriptions
- Documentation: Letter from doctor with:
- Generic drug names (not brand names)
- Dosages and diagnosis
- Why medication is necessary
- Controlled Substances: May need Schengen certificate for some medications
- Research Dutch availability: Some US medications aren't available in NL
- Request complete records from all doctors
- Vaccination history
- Recent lab results
- Imaging: Get CDs/digital copies of any X-rays, MRIs, CT scans
- Passport (valid 15+ months)
- Apostilled birth certificate
- Apostilled marriage/divorce certificates (if applicable)
- University diplomas with apostille
- Driver's license (US license valid for driving 185 days)
- International Driving Permit (get from AAA before leaving, $20)
- Proof of accommodation in Netherlands
- Proof of funds (bank statements showing €4,500+ available)
- Health insurance documentation
- Prescription documentation from doctors
- Employment/client contracts (proof of business viability)
- Multiple passport photos (Dutch specifications)
- Voltage: Netherlands uses 230V/50Hz - most laptop/phone chargers auto-switch
- Plug Adapters: Type C/F (Europlug) - bring 3-4 adapters
- Consider: Unlocked phone (or unlock before leaving)
- OTC medications (Advil, Tylenol, NyQuil, allergy meds - expensive/different in NL)
- Deodorant (US brands hard to find)
- Specific toiletries/cosmetics you prefer
- Peanut butter (Dutch version is different)
- Ranch dressing, Sriracha, BBQ sauce (if you care)
- US clothing sizes if you're outside European norms
- Cloud Backup: Upload all important documents to secure cloud storage
- Password Manager: Ensure all accounts are in password manager
- 2FA Backup: Print/save backup codes for all two-factor authentication
- Download Offline:
- Google Maps of Dutch cities for offline use
- Dutch language app (Duolingo, Babbel)
- Translation app (Google Translate with Dutch offline pack)
- VPN: Get a VPN subscription (access US streaming, banking that blocks foreign IPs)
- ☐ Order apostilled birth certificate
- ☐ Order other apostilled documents needed
- ☐ Check passport validity, renew if needed
- ☐ Research and secure Netherlands housing
- ☐ Find expat tax accountant
- ☐ Schedule dental/vision/medical appointments
- ☐ Get prescription documentation from doctors
- ☐ Set up US mail forwarding service
- ☐ Notify banks of upcoming move
- ☐ Research Dutch health insurance options
- ☐ Get 90-day prescription refills
- ☐ Get International Driving Permit from AAA
- ☐ Download all important documents to cloud
- ☐ Stock up on hard-to-find items
- ☐ Cancel/transfer subscriptions and services
- ☐ Confirm all apostilled documents received
- ☐ Print hard copies of all documents
- ☐ Notify credit cards of travel
- ☐ Confirm accommodation booking
- ☐ Prepare carry-on document folder
- Waiting too long for apostilles - these take 4-8 weeks minimum
- Closing all US bank accounts - you need at least one for US financial life
- Not getting dental work done - Dutch dental coverage is minimal
- Forgetting prescription documentation - Dutch doctors may not prescribe without records
- Assuming documents can be obtained from NL - much harder/impossible from abroad
- Not keeping a US address - many institutions require it
This guide covers what to do BEFORE you leave. For what to do after arrival, see the First 30 Days Checklist.