In this post we describe the documents we would keep in a household binder for use to fill out an application, in case of emergency, or death.
Use this as a guide to start collecting these pieces of information and adjust accordingly to your specific situation.
Emergency
- Meeting point information in case of separation
Personal Documents
[Include for each member of the family]
- Birth certificates
- Driver’s license
- Social Security cards
- Adoption paperwork
- Marriage license
- Renounced citizenship or residency
- List of all locations lived
- Global Entry + TSA Pre Check Numbers
- Current resume + employment history (with dates & years worked)
- Schooling information (past & present)
- School transcripts
- Military history
- Safes and storage locations
Internet
- Names of online storage platforms & corresponding log-in details (Apple Storage, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, Google Photos etc.
- Passwords or master passwords
Medical & Health
- Vaccination cards
- Medical conditions & history
- Medical providers
- List of prescriptions, doses and cadence
- Power of Attorney
- Organ donation wishes
- Medical documents
Insurance & Finances
- Credit report
- Wills
- Living trust
- Insurance: home, renter, auto, health, any items that are insured
- Tax returns
- W2s, 1099s etc.
- List of banking and investment providers
- Property taxes
- Retirement plan providers
- Real estate
- Debts owed
- Debts owed to you
- Assets owned
- Estate plans
- Business ownerships & corresponding documents
- Attorney’s contact information
Home & Material Items
- Home title deed
- Mortgage or rental agreement
- Details of home maintenance and construction work; vendors, work done, price and purpose
- Model numbers & warranty information for major appliances
- Household vendors & contact information: electricity, trash, water, internet, cleaner, gardener, landscaper
- Home paint colors
- Location of water and gas main, electricity meters
- Inventory and serial numbers of high value items
- Gardening schedule
People
- Contact information for family and friends
- Family activity schedule with coach/group leader names & contact
- Group memberships
Animals
- Contact information for animal kennel
- Pet information
- List of animals
- Health conditions
- Feeding schedule & description of food