Keep or shred

How long to keep a document.

The rule for each kind of paper, and the reason behind it. These are the rules Thaw files by: it dates each document's retention from the document itself and tells you when a batch is safe to shred.

Identity

Adoption papersfor goodBirth certificatefor goodDeath certificatefor goodDriver's licenseuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreGlobal Entryuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreMarriage certificatefor goodMicrochip registrationas long as you own what it is for, and a year afterNaturalization certificatefor goodPassportuntil the next one replaces it, then a year morePet licenseuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreSocial Security cardfor goodVisauntil the next one replaces it, then a year more

Legal

Advance directiveuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreCourt orderfor goodDivorce decreefor goodLegal letterfor 7 yearsPower of attorneyuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreSettlement agreementfor goodTrustfor goodWilluntil the next one replaces it, then a year more

Taxes

1098for 7 years1098-Tfor 7 years1099-DIVfor 7 years1099-INTfor 7 years1099-Kfor 7 years1099-MISCfor 7 years1099-NECfor 7 years1099-Rfor 7 yearsDonation receiptfor 7 yearsEstimated tax voucherfor 7 yearsProperty tax billfor 7 yearsSchedule K-1for 7 yearsState tax returnfor 7 yearsTax formfor 7 yearsTax noticefor 7 yearsTax returnfor 7 yearsW-2for 7 years

Money

Bank statementfor 3 yearsBrokerage statementfor 7 yearsCredit card statementfor 3 yearsFinancial statementfor 3 yearsLoan agreementfor goodLoan payoff letterfor goodLoan statementfor 3 yearsPayment confirmationfor 3 yearsRetirement account statementfor 7 years

Insurance

Auto policyuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreBusiness owner's policyuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreCertificate of insuranceuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreClaim letterfor 7 yearsCoverage summaryuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreDental or vision planuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreHealth planuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreHomeowners policyuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreInsurance carduntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreInsurance policyuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreLife policyfor goodProfessional liability policyuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreRenters policyuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreUmbrella policyuntil the next one replaces it, then a year more

Home

Appraisalas long as you own what it is for, and a year afterClosing disclosurefor goodDeedfor goodHOA statementfor 3 yearsHome inspectionas long as you own what it is for, and a year afterHome repair invoiceas long as you own what it is for, and a year afterInternet or phone billfor 1 yearInternet or phone planuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreLeaseuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreMortgage statementfor 7 yearsProperty surveyas long as you own what it is for, and a year afterService contractuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreStorage unit agreementuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreUtility billfor 1 year

Vehicles

Auto loan statementfor 3 yearsInspection certificateuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreRecall noticeas long as you own what it is for, and a year afterRegistrationuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreService recordas long as you own what it is for, and a year afterTitleas long as you own what it is for, and a year afterToll or parking noticefor 1 yearVehicle purchase agreementas long as you own what it is for, and a year after

Health

EOBfor 7 yearsImaging reportfor goodImmunization recordfor goodLab resultfor goodMedical billfor 7 yearsMedical recordfor goodPrescriptionfor 3 yearsVaccination certificateuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreVet recordfor goodVisit summaryfor good

Work

Benefits summaryuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreEmployment contractfor goodOffer letterfor goodPay stubfor 1 yearPerformance reviewfor 7 yearsSeparation agreementfor good

Business

1099 issuedfor 7 yearsAnnual report filingfor 7 yearsBanking resolutionfor goodBusiness licenseuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreCommercial leaseuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreContractfor 7 yearsEIN letterfor goodFormation documentfor goodInvoicefor 7 yearsOperating agreementfor goodSales tax permituntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreVendor billfor 7 yearsW-9for 7 years

Education

Diplomafor goodEnrollment letterfor 3 yearsFinancial aid letterfor 7 yearsReport cardfor 7 yearsStudent loan statementfor 7 yearsTranscriptfor goodTuition billfor 7 years

Purchases

Gift carduntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreGym membershipuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreOrder confirmationfor 1 yearOwner's manualas long as you own what it is for, and a year afterReceiptfor 3 yearsReturn or refundfor 1 yearSubscriptionuntil the next one replaces it, then a year moreTravel confirmationfor 1 yearWarrantyas long as you own what it is for, and a year after

Set it up once.

Connect the places your documents already land. From then on they arrive filed and understood, every date with what to do.

Get started

Free forever: keep 250 documents, with 25 understood in full. No card to enter.

Emaila rule you set once3 this week
Google Drivethe Family folder, watched2 this week
Scannersends straight to Thaw1 this week
Phonethe camera, for what only exists on paper
This week: 6 arrived, 6 filed, none touched by hand.