There’s a fire. Everyone has to leave the house quickly. The water is coming. Everyone is being evacuated. You do not know what will be damaged or destroyed.

Think about what is important to you in good time. Put all the important documents together and store them in one place, in a briefcase that you can easily pick up and take with you. In the event of an emergency, all the members of your family should know the location of the briefcase.

The document folder should include

... in the original

• Family documents (birth, marriage, death certificates) or family register

... in the original or as a certified copy

• Savings books, account agreements, shares, bonds, insurance policies
• Pension and income statements, income tax returns
• Evidence of qualifications: certificates (school certificates, university certificates, certificates  of additional qualifications)
• Contracts and amendment agreements, e.g. including rent agreements, lease agreements etc.
• Will, living will and power of attorney

... as a simple copy

• ID, passport, driving licence and vehicle documents › Land register excerpts
• All the amendment notices for benefits received
• Payment receipts for insurance premiums, especially from the social insurance pension fund  › Proof of registration with the employment offices, communications from the Employment Agency
• Invoices which provide evidence of outstanding payment claims
• Membership or subscription registers of associations, clubs or other organisations
• International certificate of vaccination

Deposit duplicates of important documents with friends, relatives, notaries, solicitors or banks.