Life-event checklists

Handle the records while the event is happening.

Each checklist is ordered Priority 1 through Priority 5. Start with the record you would need first.

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Major purchases

  1. Receipt, bill of sale, or purchase agreement
  2. Model, serial number, and identifying details
  3. Warranty and protection-plan records
  4. Condition photos and appraisal
  5. Financing, maintenance, and transfer records

Buying or owning a home

  1. Deed, lease, or closing package
  2. Homeowners or renters insurance
  3. Room inventory and property photos
  4. Inspection, appraisal, survey, and financing records
  5. Repair, improvement, permit, and warranty records

Vehicle purchase or ownership

  1. Title, purchase, lease, or financing records
  2. Registration and insurance
  3. VIN, odometer, and vehicle photos
  4. Maintenance and repair history
  5. Warranty and roadside coverage

Birth or adoption

  1. Birth certificate or adoption decree
  2. Social Security and identification records
  3. Health coverage and medical records
  4. Beneficiary, tax, and employer updates
  5. Guardianship, childcare, and education-savings records

College tuition and financial aid

  1. Acceptance, enrollment, housing, and student identity records
  2. Tuition, fee, payment-plan, and payment-confirmation records
  3. FAFSA, verification, and financial-aid award records
  4. Scholarship, grant, and student-loan records
  5. Tax forms, receipts, transcripts, and reimbursement records

Moving

  1. Old and new residence, deposit, and final-statement records
  2. Move-in and move-out photos
  3. Mover contract, inventory, and receipts
  4. Utility and address confirmations
  5. Insurance updates

Family or caregiving change

  1. Family status and identification records
  2. Health coverage and provider information
  3. Beneficiary designations
  4. Will, power of attorney, and guardianship
  5. Childcare, school, and care authorizations

Starting or running a business

  1. Formation and ownership documents
  2. Licenses, permits, and insurance
  3. Asset and equipment inventory
  4. Contracts, payroll, and financial records
  5. Business continuity plan

Fire, theft, accident, or loss

  1. Safety, official reports, and event timeline
  2. Immediate photos and video
  3. Policies and ownership records
  4. Expense and temporary-cost receipts
  5. Estimates, invoices, contractor records, and correspondence

Caregiving for a parent or loved one? Use the 10-question caregiver checklist.

After a parent dies, use the practical documents checklist.

These lists are starting points. Requirements vary by school, lender, insurer, agency, employer, court, healthcare provider, or other organization. Confirm the exact records required for your situation.

Records guides

Explore practical ways to organize important records.

Home InventoryPhotos, receipts, serial numbers, warranties and property records.Proof of OwnershipKeep the records that help identify what you own.Receipts & WarrantiesKeep purchase and warranty records easy to find.