15 Important Documents You Should Never Throw Out

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You’ve probably been there—standing over a trash can with a heap of papers and wondering which of them are safe to throw away. Maybe it’s a receipt from three years ago or torn up bank statement you think you will never need again. well, some documents are lifeboats in a sea of chaos. Toss them, and when you need them most, you might be scrambling for them.

These documents are the safety nets of adulting. You may not want to keep them, but they are your ticket out of potential headaches. So, let’s take a look at which documents you should keep forever in your file cabinet.

Birth Certificates

It is not just another piece of paper, it is your starter pack for existence. This document tells the world you’re a legitimate human, whether you’re applying for a passport, getting married, or setting up a retirement account. It can be a hassle to replace it and it may take weeks with the extra fees involved. Keep it somewhere safe, but easily accessible.

Social Security Cards

Your Social Security card is your Swiss Army knife of ID: small but mighty. This little card is your key to the kingdom — it’s needed whether you’re starting a new job, filing taxes, or applying for federal benefits. Losing it not only complicates life but opens the door for identity theft.

Passports

Your passport is a versatile form of ID, even if you’re not a globetrotter. You might need it for international travel and it can even double as a backup if you want to open a bank account domestically. A lost or expired passport can take weeks to replace; keep it current and in a safe place.

Property Deeds and Titles

When you own a home or car, the deed or title is what proves you own it. Misplacing these documents can become a bureaucratic maze if you want to sell or refinance. They’re not something you can reprint from your email archives, so keep them in a fireproof box.

Tax Returns

Although nobody wants to hang onto old tax returns, they’re your best defense in the event of an audit. The IRS suggests keeping them for at least three years; some financial advisors say seven, just to be sure. According to Archive Corporation, 25% of poorly filed documents will never be located. You don’t want that to be your story when you need your tax documents.

Insurance Policies

These are the policies from health to auto to homeowner’s insurance, that describe your coverage and can prove really helpful when you’re in an emergency. If you throw them sooner than you should, you could end up wondering what’s covered (or not), and even worse, left on the hook for something your policy already covers.

Medical Records

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You probably know how important medical records are — if you’ve ever switched doctors or had to prove you’d been vaccinated. It can save you time and confusion in the future to keep copies of important diagnoses, treatments and immunizations.

Marriage Certificates; Divorce Papers

Sometimes life happens for the best, and sometimes for the worst. Regardless of whether you’re tying the knot or untangling yourself from one, these documents are essential to certain legalities: name change, custody arrangements, and future relationships, etc.

Educational Records

Though diplomas and transcripts don’t matter once you have a job, they can pop out of nowhere when you least expect it, such as applying for advanced certifications or future career opportunities. On top of that, wouldn’t it be terrible if you were to lose evidence of those late night study sessions?

Military Records

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Military records are the golden ticket to benefits such as healthcare, education or housing for veterans. They also still retain historical and sentimental value, even if you aren’t using them anymore.

Will and Testament

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This one’s a no-brainer. It’s not just about dividing up your stuff — it’s about avoiding confusion and potential conflict among your loved ones. According to Secure Date Recovery, 45% of Americans consider their personal docments to be their most crucial data. Are you keeping the original in a safe? Place copy with a trusted executor or attorney.

Power of Attorney Documents

When you need someone to act on your behalf whether it’s for healthcare or financial matters, the power of attorney document grants this authority to another person. These papers are good to have, just in case something unexpected happens.

Beneficiary Designations

You have to designate beneficiaries for accounts such as a life insurance policy or retirement fund. Keeping up to date copies means that your assets will go where you want them to go, without having unnecessary legal battles.

Immunization Records

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If you have kids or will be traveling internationally, this one’s especially important. Proof of vaccination is sometimes required by schools, or certain countries, and if lost, recreating these records can be quite a task.

Receipts for Major Purchases

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Big ticket items, like that pricey laptop, or the HVAC system in your home, typically require receipts for warranty, insurance claims, and so on. Stick them in a dedicated folder rather than having them roam free in the junk drawer.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.