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You are here: Home / legacy notebook series / Legacy Notebook: Official Docs Proving You Exist

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Legacy Notebook: Official Docs Proving You Exist

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Day 18 of the Legacy Notebook Series

There are all kinds of documents we use to prove our existence. Have you recently renewed your driver’s license? As in-depth as the renewal application was, I thought for sure I would be asked for a blood sample along with the other required items needed to substantiate my presence on the planet. Wowza.

These identification documents are uber important and you want them to be easy to locate and all in the same place – at least that what works the best at our house. Spend some time gathering up all the ID docs for your family and we’ll add this info to your legacy notebook.

Passports
Add your passports to the notebook, unless you have a need to carry your passport with you. If so, I’m jealous! Our passports aren’t used frequently so they are stored in our binder as a general rule.

Driver’s License/ID Cards
No, I’m not suggesting you keep your actual driver’s license in the notebook, but I do recommend that you keep copies of your IDs in the book for reference. This can be especially helpful if you misplace your driver’s license or have your wallet or purse stolen.

Social Security Cards
Some people prefer to carry their social security cards in their wallet. If that’s you, keep on keeping on. If not, add your social security card and those of the rest of your family to the notebook. I had filed our kids’ social security cards in a “very safe place” shortly after receiving them in the mail and it was quite a process to, uh….remember the location of said hiding place so I could add them to our notebook as part of this project. Ahem.

Birth Certificates
Add your family’s birth certificates to the binder. Sheet protectors  or file pockets are especially helpful for corraling these types of items that are odd sizes. Any adoption records or information should go in this section too.

Marriage Licenses/Certificates
Same drill with your marriage license (if applicable). This is one you may not need to reference often, but it is helpful to have accessible when the need arises. I used a copy of my marriage license to “explain” why the name on my driver’s license didn’t match the name on my birth certificate. True story. Australian banks do not mess around with non-citizen bank account access.

Death Certificates
While I wish we didn’t have to deal with the death of loved ones, it is a reality for all of us. Presenting a death certificate is a frequent requirement when you are working your way through the process of settling someone’s affairs. It is a good idea to keep a couple extra certificates long after you think you need them. It is not uncommon for a forgotten matter to surface years after someone’s death. If you have any death certificates that need to be retained, add them in this section of the binder.

Today’s Action Items:

  • Add your family’s identification documents to your notebook
  • Celebrate being more than halfway through this project!

thanks for reading,
Lesley

P.S. Looking for the rest of the series? You can find it here.


Stronger Wallet’s Legacy Notebook series information is intentionally general in nature and covers typical scenarios. You may have special circumstances that need to be considered. Always consult a trusted advisor before making big decisions about your financial legacy. Feel free to send me questions along the way at lesley[at]strongerwallet.com.

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The guide includes everything you need to get started: a cover sheet and divider pages to set up your notebook, an overview of each topic, checklists, worksheets, and writing prompts to guide you through the process.


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Hello and welcome!

My name is Lesley Jeffres Pearson. I'm a CPA with a Masters in Business Administration and a proud alum of the University of Wyoming. Go Pokes!

I'm the personal finance enthusiast, podcast junkie, numbers geek, and bookworm behind this site, which aims to help you get a handle on your finances so you can achieve your financial goals.
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