What Is A Vital Document?

A vital document, record or item is defined by Emergency Preparedness Experts as anything necessary for you or your family to re-establish your identity, life or business if something dramatic or drastic happens.

A short list of Vital Documents would include:

• Birth, Death, Marriage or Divorce Certificates
• Social Security Card
• Passport
• Driver’s License
• Voter Cards
• Credit Cards
• Property Deeds & Titles

Questions to ask yourself to determine if an item is VITAL:

It is a good idea to make a copy or scan of these documents, and store them in a fire-proof box designed for documents.  To obtain an accurate, up to date list of necessary vital documents, I suggest the following sources anywherevault.com, freedomfiler.com – each company offers a different product designed to protect and track your vital documents in case of an emergency. The good news is that if you’ve lost important pieces of paper, you can replace them — and it might be easier than you think. Here’s how to replace six of the most important documents in your life.

Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Adoption Records

You need a birth certificate for everything from enrolling in school to getting a marriage license (if you don’t have a passport). To replace one for yourself or your child, go to the vital statistics office website for the state where the birth occurred. Replacing a birth certificate costs $10-$20, depending on the state. You might need a photo ID, and you’ll need to provide as much of the following information as you can:  Name, Birth date, Gender, Parents’ names, Place of birth

Marriage and Divorce Certificates

The best source to go to replace these records in case of loss is to go directly to USA.GO and see the state listing

Social Security Card

A Social Security card can be required for a number of things, such as applying for a job or enrolling in college. Sometimes you only need the number, but other times you might be asked to produce the card. To replace it, contact your local Social Security office with the following forms of ID:  U.S. driver’s license,  state-issued, non-driver identification card, U.S. passport.You’ll also need at least one of the following proofs of citizenship: U.S. Birth Certificate,  U.S. Passport, U.S. Consular Report, Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship.  There’s no fee for a replacement card, and you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. For security reasons, it’s recommended that you go to your local Social Security office in person instead of mailing in the application and ID document.

Passport

You need a passport to travel abroad, but it’s also handy to have for identification purposes should you lose your driver’s license. If your passport has been lost or stolen, you’ll need to report it by calling 1-877-487-2778. Then, go to a passport agency or acceptance facility in your area and bring the following two completed forms:

• Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport (Do not sign until instructed to do so by the agent.)
• Form DS-64: Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport

You’ll also need to bring identification and proof of citizenship. For more info see the list for Social Security replacement above. The list contains acceptable forms of proof. Additionally, you’ll need two passport photos. Renewing an adult passport costs $140.  If you need the passport in less than two weeks for an upcoming trip, contact the National Passport Information Center to make an appointment at a local passport agency.

Property Deeds

If you sell or refinance your house or property or transfer the title, you need to show proof of ownership in the form of a property deed. Try the following ways to get a copy (and have the address and tax map ID number handy):

1. Contact the attorney who handled the closing to obtain a copy.
2. Call the county clerk’s office, where deeds are typically recorded.
3. Hire a title company to search for it.

The first two methods are inexpensive and only require photocopies. If you chose to hire a title company, it may run $100-$150, but will likely yield a more complete search.

Car Titles

Hoping to sell your car? You’re going to need the title. Contact your state’s department of motor vehicles. You’ll need the following:

• Application form
• Fee (varies by state)
• ID, such as a driver’s license

You’ll also need proof of ownership, such as your license plate number and vehicle identification number or your vehicle registration.

Wallet Scan

This is a really simple thing to do, and most people DO NOT do it. Some day in the near future – take your cards out of your wallet. Then all you need to do is assemble your license, cards, voter registration, and other types of ID onto the screen of your printer in an 8 1/2 x 11″ shape. Close the lid and run a color copy. THEN, turn each card over, and run another copy. Date the hard copy and put it in a safe place. If your printer can scan to pdf, you can put that into a safe repository so you can get to it anywhere. I did this once and I can’t tell you how often I’ve referred to it! Once all of your wallet contents are assembled into a scannable doc, you’ll never panic if you lose them in the future.

Scan to PDF

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