Replacing Personal Documents Lost in a Disaster

Replacing personal documents lost in a disaster is a time consuming job. The list below should assist you with the replacement process. There are links to many helpful Web sites, including government agencies, credit card companies and vital records departments.

Personal Records

• Change your address at USA.Gov—Post Office, IRS, Social Security Office, etc.
• Replace a lost Social Security Card
• State Vital Records Departments—birth, death, marriage and divorce records
• Replace your Passport
• Contact State motor vehicle departments to replace your driver's license and car registrations

Military Records

• Military and Civil Service Personnel-Related Records
• Request copies of Military Service Records

Financial Records and Documents

• Report a lost or damaged card—American Express, Discover, Master Card or Visa
• Get your free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com
• Exchange damaged money at the Treasury Department
• Order a copy of past tax returns
• Replace savings bonds

Other

• Replace your Medicare Card
• Information about saving water damaged records

It might be wise to invest in a fire- and water-proof box if you keep documents at home and don't want to invest in a safety deposit box at a bank. If you keep important documents at home, put them where they're easy to find during an evacuation or other emergency.

Questions for Your Attorney

If you suffered loss from a natural disaster, you may want to contact an experienced natural disaster damage attorney for advice.

You may want to ask your attorney the following questions:

• Will my insurance cover the cost of replacing personal documents that were lost in a disaster?
• How much experience do you have with victims of natural disasters?

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