During the chaos of an emergency evacuation, it’s easy to forget your most important documents. That’s why having them organized and accessible ahead of time is critical — and in many cases, digital copies may be even more valuable than physical ones.

Below, we highlight four types of documents people often forget during emergencies, along with practical guidance on how to store and access them. By preparing now and using a secure digital vault, you can make sure your documents are available whenever — and wherever — you need them.

1. Family and Identification Documents

Q: What family documents should I have accessible during an emergency?

A: You’ll need quick access to documents that verify identity and relationships — like birth certificates, marriage or divorce papers, Social Security cards, passports, and driver's licenses. These are essential for accessing services, proving identity, and relocating after an emergency.

Q: Are digital copies of identification documents acceptable in an emergency?

A: Yes, for most documents. For example:

• Birth certificates, marriage/divorce papers, and Social Security cards: Digital versions are generally acceptable and helpful for getting replacements or proving prove identity and citizenship.

• Passports and driver's licenses: You should carry the originals in your emergency kit, but also store digital versions to assist in replacement if lost.

Q: How can I safely store and access these documents?

A: With the Trustworthy Family Operating System®, you can upload and organize digital copies of these documents, assign access to trusted family members or professionals, and retrieve them securely from anywhere — no matter where you’ve evacuated to.

2. Financial Documents

Q: What financial documents are important to have during an emergency?

A: Key financial documents include:

• Tax and income information: There’s no need to pack physical tax returns or pay stubs in your kit. Digital copies of the previous years' tax returns, personal and business property tax statements, and recent pay stubs are sufficient to prove your income if necessary.

• Insurance information: Skip the bulky physical copies. Securely upload your insurance policies — including life, homeowners, auto, and health — to Trustworthy. Having digital versions ensures you can access these vital documents at any time, even if your originals are lost or damaged.

• List of bills and obligations: Instead of keeping paper copies of your bills, store digital versions of your mortgage statements, loan documents, and utility bills. Digital access lets you stay on top of payments, even during a disruption.

These help you manage ongoing responsibilities and prove your financial situation if needed.

Q: Do I need to carry physical copies of financial documents?

A: No. Digital copies are generally sufficient and far more convenient. You can securely store them with Trustworthy, so you’re never without access — even if your home is damaged.

Q: What financial records do people usually forget?

A: According to Oliver Morrisey, lawyer and owner of Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers in Sydney, Australia, "People usually forget about the less obvious but equally important paperwork, such as financial records, trust documents, and even certain business agreements."

His advice? "A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, ‘If this document were lost, how difficult or time-consuming would it be to replace?’ That should guide your priorities.”

3. Legal Documents

Q: Why is it important to have legal documents ready during an emergency?

A: Legal documents can help you claim your rights, access healthcare, or delegate authority. Without access to these, your ability to act — or allow someone else to act on your behalf — could be delayed.

Q: Which legal documents should I have in digital form?

A: You should store digital versions of:

• Will: A digital version of your last will and testament can provide clarity and serve as a reference, but the original, signed document is what usually holds legal weight. Keep the original stored securely and ensure a digital copy is uploaded to Trustworthy for easy access.

• Living will: Digital copies of your living will are sufficient for emergencies, as they outline your medical preferences and designate someone to make decisions if you’re incapacitated. Share the digital copy with trusted individuals to ensure they can find it when needed.

• Powers of attorney: Digital copies of power of attorney documents allow others to quickly act on your behalf for financial, legal, or medical matters during an emergency. The original should still be stored safely for official use but doesn’t need to be part of an evacuation kit.

• Property titles and deeds: Digital versions of your property titles and deeds for your home, car, and other assets can often suffice for reference purposes in emergencies. Physical originals may be necessary for certain transactions, so store those securely. If you store physical documents at home, keep them in a fireproof and waterproof safe.These documents are typically not needed physically during an evacuation but can be critical in the days that follow.

Q: Where should I keep physical legal documents?

A: Keep originals stored in a secure location, such as a fireproof and waterproof safe at home or in a trusted third-party facility. Digital copies, meanwhile, should be stored in a secure vault like Trustworthy for quick access.

Medical Documents

Q: What medical documents should I have on hand during an emergency?

A: Digital access to the following can be life-saving:

• Medical insurance: Digital copies of health insurance cards and policy numbers are sufficient to access medical services quickly. Consider uploading them to Trustworthy so they’re always at your fingertips.

• Medication information: A comprehensive digital list of prescription medications for each family member, including pets, is essential. Include details like dosage, frequency, and prescribing doctor. Digital storage ensures this information is easily accessible even if your written notes are misplaced.

• Immunization records: Digital versions of immunization records for both children and pets are typically all you need to provide proof of vaccination. Keep them updated and accessible online for quick reference during relocations or emergencies.

• Allergy list: Store a detailed allergy list for each family member digitally. Highlight severe reactions for quick access during emergencies. Sharing this information securely with trusted individuals can also provide added peace of mind.

• Vital medical records: Upload summaries of any serious diagnoses, major procedures, or critical medical conditions to a secure digital vault like Trustworthy. This ensures healthcare providers can quickly understand your medical history without needing physical paperwork.

These help ensure you or your loved ones receive proper care, even if you can’t speak for yourself.

Q: Can I rely solely on digital versions of medical records?

A: Yes, in most emergency situations, digital records are perfectly acceptable. They can be shared quickly with healthcare providers, accessed across devices, and updated as needed.

Q: How can I make sure others can access my medical documents if needed?

A: Trustworthy allows you to securely share access with trusted individuals — such as family members or medical professionals — without compromising your privacy. This ensures that someone can find the right information even if you’re unable to guide them.

The Bottom Line

Keeping your most important documents organized, digitized, and accessible ensures you and your loved ones are protected during any emergency. With Trustworthy, you can store everything securely, share with those you trust, and access your documents from anywhere — even in the middle of a crisis.

Get started with Trustworthy for free — you won't even need a credit card.