Storing Family Records

Keep your records fireproof and theft proof.

For home storage, use a home business center, desk, file cabinet, drawer, box or other safe and convenient place for papers that are used often.

You can save time and money by organizing and storing personal and family papers in a safe place where you can get to them quickly and easily.

First, get all papers together and sort them according to how often you will need them. How often the paper will be used and its value will help you decide the best place to store it. You'll need three areas of storage: some form of fireproof and theft proof storage, home storage and items you should carry with you.

Fireproof and theft proof storage means a home safe or safe deposit box. Here you'll store papers that are hard or expensive to replace. These include: adoption papers, auto title and bill of sale, citizenship papers, debt or credit papers (especially those pertaining to your home), death certificates, divorce papers, income tax returns and receipts, inventory of important family papers, inventory of personal and household goods, investment certificates and government bonds, important canceled checks and payment receipts, and important contracts. Other items stored here will be: marriage and birth certificates, patents and copyrights, record of insurance policies, property records including deeds, bills of sale, military service records (including discharge and veteran claim number), social security numbers and a copy of wills.

For home storage, use a home business center, desk, file cabinet, drawer, box or other safe and convenient place for papers that are used often.

These might include: appliance records (including guarantees and instructions), auto records, canceled checks and bank statements, care instructions for clothing and household furnishings, education records, employment records, family health records, financial account records (for farm and business), instructions about funeral or burial plot, insurance policies, inventory of household goods, list of credit card numbers and lenders, and personal and family debt records.

Carry these with you…

Items you should carry with you in your wallet or purse are: your auto insurance card, blood type record, card stating person to be notified in case of an emergency, cards indicating allergies to medicine or any special health problems, driver's license, health and accident insurance cards, identification card and organization membership cards.

When your papers are sorted, store them in their proper places. Be sure to make a list of your papers and where they are stored.