Guides / What to keep
Vital records: keep these for life
Birth certificates, Social Security cards, passports and more.
Some documents prove who you are, your family relationships or your legal rights. Keep the originals for life, somewhere safe, and know how to replace them.
Keep for life
- Birth, marriage and death certificates
- Social Security cards
- Passports and citizenship or naturalization papers
- Adoption and divorce papers
- Military discharge papers (DD-214)
- Wills, trusts and powers of attorney (originals)
Where
A fireproof and waterproof home safe, or a safe deposit box for documents you rarely need. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet.
General educational information, not legal or tax advice. Dime Keepers isn't paid by any storage, shredding, safe or cloud company.