Important documents checklist
In an emergency, families lose hours looking for the insurance card, the power of attorney or the list of medicines. Go through this list with your relative while things are calm, note where each document is kept and who holds a copy, and print the sheet for the family folder.
This checklist is general information for organising paperwork. The documents that matter, their names and how to set them up differ between countries — a lawyer, notary or local advice service can tell you what applies to your relative. Do not record passwords, PINs or full account numbers on this sheet.
What you type stays in this browser. Nothing is sent to our servers.
0 of 25 located
Important documents checklist
Identity and personal0/4
- Passport or national ID card
Status: Not checked
- Birth and marriage certificates
Status: Not checked
- Residence or citizenship papers
Status: Not checked
- Driving licence
Status: Not checked
Health and care0/5
- Health insurance cards and policy details
Status: Not checked
- Current medication list and allergies
Status: Not checked
- Diagnoses, doctors and specialists
Status: Not checked
- Hospital discharge letters and recent test results
Status: Not checked
- Care plan or care agency contract
Status: Not checked
Legal and decisions0/5
- Power of attorney (finances)
Status: Not checked
- Health care proxy or power of attorney for health decisions
Status: Not checked
- Advance directive or living will
Status: Not checked
- Will and executor details
Status: Not checked
- Guardianship or court orders, if any
Status: Not checked
Money, insurance and property0/7
- Bank and savings accounts (institution and branch only)
Status: Not checked
- Pension and benefit award letters
Status: Not checked
- Life, home and car insurance policies
Status: Not checked
- Property deeds, lease or tenancy agreement
Status: Not checked
- Regular bills and direct debits list
Status: Not checked
- Recent tax returns
Status: Not checked
- Funeral plan or wishes
Status: Not checked
Contacts and access0/4
- Emergency contact sheet
Status: Not checked
- Spare keys and key safe code holder
Status: Not checked
- Phone, email and online accounts access plan (not the passwords)
Status: Not checked
- Vehicle registration and breakdown cover
Status: Not checked
Still to find or arrange
Nothing marked as missing.
Which documents matter most in an emergency?
Identity, health insurance details, the current medication list and any advance directive or health care proxy — hospitals ask for these first. Keep copies of those four in the emergency folder and a photo of them on the main caregiver's phone.
What is the difference between a power of attorney and an advance directive?
A power of attorney lets someone act for your relative in financial or health matters while they are alive, usually when they can no longer decide for themselves. An advance directive records their own wishes about medical treatment. Names and rules differ by country, so ask a lawyer, notary or advice service what applies locally.
Is it safe to write down where documents are?
Writing down locations and who holds copies is fine; it is passwords, PINs and full account numbers that must never be on a printed sheet. Keep the printed checklist in the care folder, not with the bank papers.