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What to Scan First

Thirty documents ranked by how badly you'll regret losing them. Work top-down. Tier 1 first.

How to use this checklist. Tick the first column when you've located the physical document. Tick the second when you've scanned a clear photo of it. Tick the third when the digital copy lives somewhere safe — your iPhone, an encrypted drive, or filedup once we launch. You're done when the third column is fully ticked.

Tier 1 Identity — lose these and you can't prove who you are

Replace these in person. Replacement takes weeks. Start here.

Document	Have it	Scanned	Backed up
Passport — photo page and visa pages
National ID / driver's license
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate (or divorce decree)
Citizenship / naturalization / residency papers
Social security / national insurance / tax ID card
Will, power of attorney, advance directiveIf you don't have one yet, that's a different problem to solve.

Tier 2 Money and ownership — proof of what you own

If your wallet was stolen tonight, these are the next ones you'd need.

Document	Have it	Scanned	Backed up
House deed or property title
Mortgage or lease agreement
Vehicle title and registration
Most recent tax filing (last 2 years)
Bank account list — name, last 4 digits, contact number
Investment / retirement account statements (latest)
Life insurance policy (the main one)

Tier 3 Health — the ones a hospital will ask for

In an emergency, someone needs to find these in two minutes flat.

Document	Have it	Scanned	Backed up
Health insurance card (both sides)
Vaccination records — especially for children
Prescription list + known allergies
Eyeglass / contact lens prescription
Dental records (most recent)
Pet vaccination certificate + microchip number

Tier 4 Daily life — the supporting paperwork

Less urgent but a real time-sink when missing. Knock these out on a weekend.

Document	Have it	Scanned	Backed up
Utility account numbers (power, water, gas)
Phone and internet account details
School / university transcripts and diplomas
Professional licenses and certifications
Current employment contract
Two most recent payslips
Warranties for major appliances
Receipts for valuables (jewellery, electronics, art) — insurance
Pet adoption papers and travel records
Emergency contact list — printed, kept where someone could find it