Listen Now
You finally get the appointment, and the receptionist at the front desk asks to see a certain document. You panic. Where is that one?
Here’s how to stay calm. Put everything in a Vital Bag!
Whether you are trying to get a job, a place to live, find services, or just prove who you are, you will need your vital documents — your important papers, like your ID, birth certificate, and social security card.
Keeping these vital documents together in a safe place helps you find them quickly when you need them. The items listed in steps 1-3 should not be in a wallet or on your person. Just collect and store them in the Vital Bag. This makes dealing with surprises easier and helps you feel more ready and calm, no matter what comes your way.
Keep Your Important Papers Safe and Handy
Here’s how to build your Vital Bag
- Get a water-resistant zipper document bag or a zipper gallon-sized freezer bag.
- Collect your vital documents – for you and your children – and place them in the bag.
These include:- Birth certificate(s)
- All marriage or divorce certificates
- Death certificate of a loved one (if it applies to your situation)
- Social Security card(s)
- Passport(s)
- You’ll often need other important papers, so add these to your Vital Bag:
- Housing lease agreement
- Medicaid or health insurance cards
- Utility bill with your name and home address dated in the past 30 days
- Mail from a state or federal government agency with your name and address dated within the past 30 days
- Paycheck stubs for 3 months (if you have them)
- Bank statements for the most recent 3 months (if you have a bank)
- Legal documents for immigration purposes (if you have them)
- Each child’s ID. (Sometimes, a letter from the school social worker with the student’s name and address can be used as ID for him/her)
- If you have a car, then you need to have the car title, warranty (if it applies), loan documents, and insurance card (if your state requires it).
Having these important documents like your Medicaid and health insurance cards handy will ensure that you and your children can receive medical care quickly when you need it. They’ll help you get housing, get a bank account, and more.
Keep your Vital Bag in a safe place. Always put it back in the same spot after every use.
Have a Valid ID
Make sure your driver’s license or ID is up to date. Keep it in your wallet and with you at all times. If you need to get or renew your ID, search “get my driver’s license in [State]” to get started. Take your Vital Bag with you to the appointment because most states require 2-3 documents to start the process. (Please note: If you plan to travel by air or enter certain federal buildings, choose REAL ID.)
It might sound like a lot of work to build your Vital Bag of vital documents, but you can do this! Not knowing what your vital documents are or where they are can delay you getting the help you need. Misplacing or losing any one of these takes a lot of time to replace and seriously messes with your peace of mind.
So, get started today. If you need help just ask someone you trust. Then you’ll be ready and calm no matter what comes your way.
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Don’t have these documents?
Here’s how to get them:
If you need a copy of a birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificate, reach out to the health or vital records department in the county and state where the event happened.
Be careful of fake websites that take your money without giving you the document or charge too much. To find the right place, search for “How do I get my birth certificate from [Your County, State]?” When you find the site, make sure it’s the real health department or vital records page — it might not be the first one you see. If you’re unsure, call them to confirm.
For a new Social Security card, visit www.ssa.gov and follow the steps. To replace your social security card, → Click on [Card & Record] at the top of the page → Click on [Number & Card] → Click on [Replace your card]. Then “answer a few questions” to “find the best way to replace your card.” You might have to go to an office near you. Find one using your zip code at www.ssa.gov/locator.
To get a passport, go to your local post office. You can start your application and make an appointment online at www.usps.com.
