Keep forever
The irreplaceable-or-painful-to-replace tier. Originals belong in a fireproof safe or safe deposit box, with scanned copies somewhere you can actually find them.Birth certificates
Keep: ForeverFireproof safe + digital copy
Needed for passports, school enrollment, and REAL ID. Order certified copies from vital records if lost.Social Security cards
Keep: ForeverFireproof safe, never a wallet
Marriage and divorce records
Keep: ForeverFireproof safe + digital copy
Divorce decrees matter decades later for Social Security benefit claims.Military discharge papers (DD-214)
Keep: ForeverFireproof safe + digital copy
Required for veteran benefits, home loans, and burial honors.Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
Keep: Forever (current versions)Fireproof safe; executor knows where
Destroy superseded versions to avoid probate confusion.Death certificates of family members
Keep: ForeverFireproof safe
Home and property
Most of this tier lives as long as you own the property, and the receipts are worth real money when you sell.Deed and title insurance policy
Keep: While you own + 7 yearsFireproof safe + digital copy
Closing disclosure and mortgage documents
Keep: While you own + 7 yearsDigital copy is fine
Home improvement receipts
Keep: While you own + 7 yearsDigital: scan immediately
They raise your cost basis and can cut capital gains tax when you sell. The most commonly lost valuable paper in home ownership.Appliance manuals and warranties
Keep: Life of the applianceDigital (manuals are all online anyway)
Keep proof of purchase: warranty claims need the receipt, not the manual.Taxes
The IRS can audit three years back normally, six if income was substantially underreported. Seven years is the safe universal answer.Tax returns
Keep: 7 years (many keep forever, since they are small)Digital copy
Supporting documents (W-2s, 1099s, deduction receipts)
Keep: 7 yearsDigital, filed by tax year
IRA contribution records (especially nondeductible)
Keep: Until fully withdrawn + 7 yearsDigital
Form 8606 history is how you avoid being taxed twice on nondeductible contributions.Financial accounts
Almost everything here is reconstructable from your bank. Retention is about convenience, disputes, and taxes, not survival.Bank and credit card statements
Keep: 1 year (7 if tax-relevant)Digital: download, do not rely on the bank portal
Banks often limit online history to 18–24 months.Pay stubs
Keep: Until reconciled with your W-2Digital
Investment purchase confirmations
Keep: Until sold + 7 yearsDigital
Cost basis for anything bought before 2011 may not be tracked by your broker.Loan payoff letters
Keep: ForeverFireproof safe + digital copy
The proof that ends any future collection mistake. Worth keeping permanently even though the account is closed.Insurance, medical, and vehicles
Active policies, health history, and anything tied to a thing you still own.Insurance policies
Keep: While active + until claims window closesDigital; declarations page handy
Medical records and immunization history
Keep: ForeverDigital
Providers purge records after 7–10 years; your copy may become the only one.Explanation of benefits (EOBs)
Keep: 1 year (longer if disputing or deducting)Digital
Vehicle titles
Keep: While you own the vehicleFireproof safe
Vehicle maintenance records
Keep: While you own the vehicleDigital
A documented service history adds real money at private sale.