Document protection

01 — WHAT TO PROTECT

The documents that matter most

FEMA's emergency preparedness guidance identifies four categories of critical documents. Identity: birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards, driver's licenses, naturalization papers. Legal: wills, powers of attorney, medical directives, guardianship documents, property deeds, vehicle titles. Financial: insurance policies, bank account information, recent tax returns, mortgage documents. Medical: medication lists, vaccination records, allergy information, prescribing doctor contacts.

These are the documents needed to prove who you are, what you own, what you are covered for, and what medications you take. After a disaster, they are required for insurance claims, FEMA assistance applications, and basic identity verification.

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02 — PHYSICAL STORAGE

Fireproof, waterproof, accessible

A fireproof and waterproof home safe (rated for at least one hour of fire protection) provides on-site protection. A bank safe deposit box provides off-site protection but is inaccessible during bank closures or evacuations.

The best strategy uses both: originals in the safe deposit box, certified copies in the home safe. Keep the home safe bolted down; an unbolted safe can be carried off.

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03 — DIGITAL BACKUP

Two locations, two formats

Scan or photograph every critical document. Store copies in two locations: a USB drive in your go-bag (offline access when internet is down) and a secure cloud service (access from any device, survives the same disaster that destroys your home).

Use an encrypted cloud service or at minimum a strong, unique password. Label files clearly. Update the backup when documents change (new insurance policy, renewed passport, updated medication list).

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