Take Care of Your Important Papers

Here's a quick guide to the safekeeping of common family records.

Personal and Family

Item	Where To Store It	How Long
Birth, marriage and death certificates	Safe deposit box or fireproof home storage	Permanently
Adoption and custody papers	Safe deposit box or fireproof home storage	Permanently
Divorce and separation papers	Safe deposit box or fireproof home storage	Permanently
Will	Signed original with probate division of circuit court or safe deposit box (if jointly rented); copy in home file	As long as in effect
Advance directive (living will/durable power of attorney for health care)	Home file, safe deposit box and copies with agents and family members	Permanently (update as needed)
Passports	Home storage or safe deposit box	Until replaced
Social Security card	Home storage	Permanently
Medical history	Home file	Permanently (update as needed)
Employment records	Home file	Permanently
Inventory of valuable papers	Home file; leave copy with advisors, trusted family members or friends	Permanently (update at least annually)

Financial

Item	Where To Store It	How Long
Stocks, bonds and other securities	Safe deposit box; listing in home file	Duration of ownership or longer if needed for tax purposes*
Bank accounts, account registers and statements	Home file	Duration of ownership or longer if needed for tax purposes*
Canceled checks	Home file for non-tax deductible expenditures	Three years minimum
List of credit, ATM and debit cards, credit contracts, agreements, records of credit payments and account statements	Home file	Duration of account obligation or longer if needed for tax purposes*
Insurance policies and records of claims made and paid	Home file; list of policies in safe deposit box	Permanently (update as needed)
Copies of past tax returns	Home file	Six years minimum
Receipts and records of deductible expenses, income and tax payments	Home file (current); fireproof home storage	Six years minimum after filing of taxes
* Usually six years.