Another Reminder to Gather up All of Your Vital Documents!

[MineralMan]

Start now, if you don't have any of these. Get as many of them as you can and store them in a secure, fireproof container: You can get these from the original issuer or the recorder in the county where they occurred. It can be a tough job, but it's worth it. Companies like https://www.vitalchek.com/, can help you, for a fee. If you can't work it out on your own, get one of those vital record companies to help.

Crucial Documents
* Birth Certificate: You need a relatively recent certified copy of yours, as recorded in the county and state of your birth.
* Social Security Card issued by the Social Security Administration. If you have your original one, that's great. If not, make an appointment at your nearest SSA office. You will need your Birth Certificate.
* Passport: You need this document for many reasons. You'll need the two documents above to get it, and it's going to cost you at least $100.
* Current Driver's Licence or State ID card: Make it a Real ID, which needs some of the documents above. Don't let this lapse. Renew it as needed.
* Marriage Certificates: If you have been married or are married, you need this document, especiallly if you are a woman and have ever changed your name. If you have multiple marriages, get them all. Vital Chek can get those, too, if needed.
* Certificates of Divorce: If you have been divorced, you need a copy of the official certificate. If you don't have it, you can get it from the county and state where your divorce was recorded. Vital Chek or another document company can help you there, too. You may need one for every divorce.
* Property Deeds: If you own real property, you should have a copy of your deed to that property, as filed in the county of record where the property is located.
* DD Form 214: If you served in the US military, you were given this form when your enlistment or commission ended. A must have document. Contact your local Veterans Service office ( most counties and states) and they'll assist you in getting a certified copy. Make other copies for your needs. Officers have a different form. I don't know what that one is.

Less critical Documents
*Diplomas: High School and College
*Professional Certifications
*Most recent IRS Tax Filings - You should have at least the last 3 years of those.
*List of all bank and investment accounts, with account numbers.
*Insurance policies, particularly life insurance policies
Any other documents similar to the ones above that you can think of.

Don't pooh-pooh this. You need documentation. So do your heirs. So does your spouse. Don't neglect this. You never know when you will need to produce them on short notice. Let you next of kin and other beneficiaries know where the documents are. Don't assume they will find them.

Finally:

Don't put such documents in a safe deposit box at your bank. If the bank fails, they'll be lost forever. Secure them yourself and protect them from fire and flood.