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Document guide

What to keep, where to keep it, and how often it renews — for every essential household document.

Passports

criticalIdentity

Proof of citizenship and the gold-standard travel ID. Needed for international travel and as a backup photo ID.

What to keep
The original booklet for each family member. A photo/scan of the photo page.
Where it usually lives
Fireproof home safe; one note of the number kept separately.
Renews
Every ~10 years
Your status
On hand · renews September · kept: Home safe, top shelf

Driver's license / state ID

criticalIdentity

Your everyday photo ID and proof of address for most agencies.

What to keep
Current card. Note the expiry date.
Where it usually lives
Wallet; renewal reminder in your calendar.
Renews
Every ~5 years
Your status
On hand · renews April · kept: Wallet

Birth certificates

criticalIdentity

The root document behind passports, IDs, and benefits. Certified copies are hard to replace quickly.

What to keep
Certified original for each family member.
Where it usually lives
Fireproof home safe.
Renews
No fixed renewal — keep indefinitely
Your status
On hand · kept: Home safe

Social Security cards

criticalIdentity

Needed for employment, taxes, and benefits. Keep secure — a prime identity-theft target.

What to keep
Original card for each family member.
Where it usually lives
Fireproof home safe — NOT your wallet.
Renews
No fixed renewal — keep indefinitely
Your status
On hand · kept: Home safe

Home deed / mortgage / lease

importantProperty

Proof of ownership or your right to occupy. Leases renew; deeds are forever.

What to keep
Recorded deed or signed lease and mortgage note.
Where it usually lives
Fireproof safe (deed); digital copy of the signed lease.
Renews
No fixed renewal — keep indefinitely
Your status
On hand · kept: Safe deposit box

Vehicle titles & registration

importantProperty

Title proves ownership; registration must be kept current to drive legally.

What to keep
Title for each vehicle. Current registration card.
Where it usually lives
Title in the safe; registration in the glovebox.
Renews
Every ~1 year
Your status
On hand · renews July · kept: Glovebox + safe

Homeowners / renters insurance

importantFinancial

Your policy and declarations page — what's covered and the claim phone number.

What to keep
Declarations page and policy number.
Where it usually lives
Digital copy + safe; agent contact saved.
Renews
Every ~1 year
Your status
On hand · renews November · kept: Email + binder

Auto insurance

importantFinancial

Proof of coverage required to drive; renews on a 6- or 12-month cycle.

What to keep
Current insurance card and policy number.
Where it usually lives
Insurance card in the glovebox + on your phone.
Renews
Every ~6 months
Your status
On hand · renews August · kept: Glovebox

Health insurance cards

importantHealth

Member cards and plan details for each covered family member.

What to keep
Current member card; member and group numbers.
Where it usually lives
Wallet + photo on your phone.
Renews
Every ~1 year
Your status
Not yet checked off

Will & advance directives

importantEstate

Your will, healthcare directive, and living will. Review after major life changes.

What to keep
Signed, witnessed originals. Note who holds copies.
Where it usually lives
With your attorney + a copy in the safe; tell your executor.
Renews
No fixed renewal — keep indefinitely
Your status
Not yet checked off

Power of attorney

usefulEstate

Financial and medical POA naming who can act for you if you can't.

What to keep
Signed, notarized originals.
Where it usually lives
Safe + with the named agent.
Renews
No fixed renewal — keep indefinitely
Your status
Not yet checked off

Tax returns (last 3 years)

usefulFinancial

Recent filed returns and W-2s/1099s — needed for loans, aid, and audits.

What to keep
At least the last three years of filed returns.
Where it usually lives
Labeled folder by year; encrypted digital copies.
Renews
Every ~1 year
Your status
On hand · renews April · kept: File cabinet by year

A checklist only — no documents are uploaded or stored. Informational only; not legal advice.