Financial & Records Preparedness
Organize Your Important Documents
Gather, protect, and store the records your family will need most.
After a disaster, you may need to prove who you are, where you live, and what you own — often while dealing with insurance companies, relief agencies, or temporary housing. Having your important documents organized, protected, and easy to grab can save you hours of stress and help you recover faster.
Gather These Documents
Collect the records below for every member of your household.
Personal & Family Records
- •Birth and marriage certificates
- •Passports and Social Security cards
- •Adoption or custody papers
- •Military service records
Financial & Legal
- •Bank and credit card account numbers
- •Insurance policies (home, auto, life, health)
- •Will, power of attorney, and medical directives
- •Tax returns from the past 3 years
Property & Housing
- •Mortgage or lease documents
- •Property deed and vehicle titles
- •Home inventory list and photos
- •Utility account numbers
Medical & Health
- •Health insurance cards
- •Prescription medication lists
- •Immunization records
- •Emergency medical information for each family member
Store Originals Safely
Keep original documents in a waterproof, fireproof container or a bank safe deposit box. Take clear photos or scans of each document as a backup.
Keep Digital & Physical Copies
Save encrypted digital copies on a password-protected USB drive or secure cloud service, and keep printed copies in your Go Bag. Update them at least once a year.