finance
Financial Records to Save
A list of documents and records useful for future planning, separation, or safety.
financial safetyrecords
Documentation
Financial Records to Save
1. Identification and Personal Documents
- Photo ID:
- Driver’s license or state ID card
- Passport
- Work or school ID (if it shows name and photo)
- Government numbers:
- Social Security card or number
- Taxpayer ID number (if different)
- Immigration or residency documents
- Civil status documents:
- Birth certificates (yours and children’s)
- Marriage certificate
- Separation, divorce, or custody orders
- Name change documents
- Key personal records:
- Insurance cards (health, auto, home, life)
- Benefit cards (disability, unemployment, other programs)
- Vehicle title and registration
2. Income and Employment Records
- Employment:
- Recent pay stubs
- Employment contract or offer letter
- Work schedule or proof of hours
- Records of bonuses, commissions, or overtime
- Tax records:
- Recent tax returns (federal, state, local)
- W-2s, 1099s, or similar income forms
- Notices from tax agencies
- Benefits and support:
- Unemployment benefit letters
- Disability or workers’ compensation records
- Social Security or pension statements
- Child support or spousal support orders and payment records
- Other income:
- Bank statements showing regular deposits
- Income from rentals, side work, or small businesses
- Proof of cash payments (receipts, written agreements)
3. Bank, Credit, and Joint Account Information
- Bank accounts:
- Account numbers and bank names
- Recent statements for:
- Checking accounts
- Savings accounts
- Joint accounts
- Overdraft agreements
- Online banking usernames (without passwords) for reference
- Credit and loans:
- Credit card statements (individual and joint)
- Loan documents and statements:
- Personal loans
- Auto loans
- Student loans
- Lines of credit
- Buy-now-pay-later or store card agreements
- Investment and savings products:
- Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pension, etc.)
- Brokerage or investment accounts
- Certificates of deposit or bonds
- Joint financial obligations:
- Documents listing both names on:
- Accounts
- Loans
- Credit cards
- Any written agreements about splitting expenses
- Documents listing both names on:
4. Housing, Bills, and Regular Expenses
- Housing:
- Lease or rental agreement
- Mortgage statements
- Property tax statements
- Homeowners association (HOA) bills
- Utilities and services:
- Electric, gas, water, and trash bills
- Internet and phone bills
- Cable or streaming service bills
- Security system or other service contracts
- Insurance:
- Health insurance policy summaries
- Auto insurance policies
- Renters or homeowners insurance policies
- Life or disability insurance policy pages showing:
- Policy number
- Coverage details
- Named beneficiaries
- Children and household expenses:
- Childcare invoices or contracts
- School fees, tuition, and activity bills
- Medical and dental bills
- Pet care bills (vet, insurance, registrations)
5. Debts, Assets, and Shared Property
- Debts:
- Collection letters
- Payment plans or settlement agreements
- Any documents showing who is responsible for each debt
- Assets:
- Vehicle titles and loan pay-off amounts
- Property deeds or closing documents
- Appraisals for valuables if available (jewelry, collectibles)
- Business interests:
- Business registration documents
- Partnership or ownership agreements
- Business bank statements
6. Storage Options and Safety Considerations
- Ways to store copies:
- Clear photos stored in a secure folder on a device you control
- Scans saved to an online storage account with a private login
- Paper copies in a folder kept outside the home if that feels safer
- Information to note (even if you cannot keep copies):
- Bank and account names
- Approximate balances or limits
- Due dates for major bills and loans
Additional tools, worksheets, and professional support options related to financial and safety planning can be found through resources listed at DV.Support.