Prepare for the Worst: Gather All Your Vital Documents

Scenario: You came home from work only to find that the tropical storm lingering out in the Atlantic Ocean has rapidly turned into a category 3 hurricane. Your home is in the direct path of the eye of the storm and officials have called for a mandatory evacuation within 4 hours.

In this scenario, how long do you think it will take you to gather all of your important documents assuming you won’t have a home when you come back? If you said an hour or more, that is way too long! It shouldn’t take you more than five minutes to grab all the papers you need. You will have a very hard time trying to put your life back together if you’re missing critical documents.

Start now by using this checklist to gather all of your important documents and store them in a fireproof, waterproof or safe deposit box. Use plastic covers for passports, birth and marriage certificates, etc.

Don’t let another hurricane season go by without you being prepared.


Emergency Document Checklist

· Copy of driver’s license
· Passport/ Immigration papers
· Social Security Card
· Certified copy of birth & death certificates/ Adoption papers
· Certified copy of marriage license/ Divorce
· Church records
· Copy of medical & dental insurance
· Home insurance policy/ Photo of valuables
· Property & vehicles titles/ Deeds
· Wills/ Trusts/ Power of Attorney
· Income tax returns (past 3 years)
· Investments/ Stocks & bonds
· Credit card/ Loan information
· Bank information & contact
· Employer benefits statement
· All account numbers & passwords
· Medication list
· Resume/ Address history
· Cash ($2,000 if possible)· Current pictures of each family member (pets too!)