Essential Personal Documents to Keep Organized for Easy Access and Security

Organizing important personal documents in your home is crucial for easy access, security, and preparedness. Here is a list of important personal documents you should consider organizing and keeping in a secure place:

1. Identification Documents:

   - Birth certificates

   - Passports

   - Driver's licenses

   - Social Security cards

   - Green cards or visas (if applicable)

   - Military IDs (if applicable)

Pro Tip #1     Important Documents:

If you realize these documents missing, take the time to request replacements

2. Financial Records:

   - Bank account information

   - Investment account statements

   - Retirement account statements

   - Tax returns (past several years)

   - Wills and trusts

   - Mortgage or rental agreements

   - Insurance policies (life, health, auto, home)

   - Property deeds and titles

   - List of assets and liabilities

Pro Tip #2     Creating a Shared Medical History Document:

Create a list of your medical history that can be "shared" with your trusted family members or friend.  Consider a creating a Note on an Apple device or creating a Google document for this.  Include your name, social security number, medical insurance companies names, allergies, past surgeries, diagnoses, and a list of medications.  Remain focused on keeping this up-to-date as your medical history changes.  This allows your trusted person to have immediate access to your history in an medical emergency.  This will allow the medical team to have full knowledge and will improve their ability to treat you.

3. Medical Records:

   - Health insurance cards

   - Medical history

   - List of allergies

   - Prescription medications

   - Advance healthcare directives (living will, healthcare power of attorney)

   - Organ donor cards

4. Legal Documents:

   - Marriage certificates

   - Divorce decrees

   - Child custody agreements

   - Adoption papers

   - Power of attorney documents

   - Legal contracts

5. Education Records:

   - Diplomas and certificates

   - Transcripts

   - Student loan documents

6. Household Records:

   - Utility bills

   - Home improvement receipts

   - Home warranty documents

   - Home inventory (for insurance purposes)

7. Employment Records:

   - Employment contracts

   - Pay stubs

   - Retirement plan documents

8. Vehicle Records:

   - Vehicle titles and registrations

   - Maintenance and repair records

   - Auto insurance documents

9. Miscellaneous Documents:

    - Passports and visa copies

    - Safe deposit box information

    - Important email and online account passwords

    - A copy of your will, beneficiary deed, or trust,  and the contact information of your attorney

10. Digital Backups and Digital Estate:

    - Scanned copies of important documents stored securely on a password-protected and encrypted digital storage device or cloud service.

Pro Tip #3     Your Digital Estate:

My favorite tool for securely organizing usernames and passwords is 1 Password.  I love it!  I personally use the family plan which allows me share select login information with family members.  I created categories such as banking, insurance, medical (such as portals for doctors), my attorney, household (mortgage and utilities).  1 Password allows me to print a QR code for access to my account.  I keep in my safe so that, in the event that I become incapacitated, my children can have access to necessary personal data.

Pro Tip #4.    Your Document Storage:

When organizing these documents, consider using a fireproof and waterproof safe or a secure, locked file cabinet to protect them. Also, inform a trusted family member or friend about the location and access details of these documents in case of an emergency. Regularly review and update these records as needed to ensure that they remain current and relevant.