Where Things Are Worksheet
Use this worksheet to record where important household documents, records and planning information are kept. The goal is not to write down sensitive details. It is to make sure the right person can locate the right records when they are needed.
Do not enter passwords, PINs, Social Security numbers, complete account numbers, recovery codes or other highly sensitive information here. Record the location of secure records instead.
Could someone locate the essentials?
Think in locations, not account details.
Good entries are things like “home safe,” “blue document binder,” “attorney's office,” “secure cloud folder” or “password manager.” Avoid writing actual passwords, full account numbers or private identification numbers on this worksheet.
Record where important things can be found.
Use simple descriptions that another trusted person could understand. You can fill this out on screen and print it, or print a blank copy and complete it by hand.
Identity documents
Record where important identification and personal records are stored.
Insurance records
Record where policy information and important insurance documents can be found.
Financial document locations
Record where account records are organized without writing complete account numbers.
Home records
Record where property, housing and major household records are kept.
Vehicle records
Record where ownership, financing and maintenance records are stored.
Health information locations
Record where important health and care information can be found without listing private medical details.
Legal document locations
Record where originals and appropriate copies can be located.
Digital access instructions
Record where secure access instructions are maintained, not the passwords themselves.
Business records
If you run a business, record where the essential operating and continuity records are maintained.
Final instruction locations
Record where personal wishes and practical instructions can be found.
Someone should know that this map exists.
A trusted person does not necessarily need access to every document today. But in many households, it helps if at least one appropriate person knows where the important records and instructions can be found if you are unavailable.
Who knows where things are?
Your records do not all need to live in the same place.
A practical system can use a mix of secure physical storage and digital storage. The important part is knowing which system is used for which type of record.
Secure Physical Storage
Useful for original legal documents, titles, certificates and other records that should be protected from loss, theft or damage.
Household Working Binder
Useful for non-sensitive copies, checklists, contact information and the records you may need to review more frequently.
Secure Digital Storage
Useful for organized copies, backups and records that are easier to maintain electronically. Protect access appropriately.
Connect this worksheet to the rest of your preparedness system.
Identity & Essential Documents
Review the important records you may want organized and protected.
Review Documents →Legal & Estate Planning
Review wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives and other legal planning records.
Review Legal Planning →Final Affairs & Legacy
Review personal instructions, important contacts and the information others may eventually need.
Review Final Affairs →Print it blank or print what you filled in.
The worksheet stays in your browser while the page is open. Use Print when you are ready, or clear the fields to start again.
Start with the documents that would be hardest for someone else to locate.
You do not need to organize your entire life in one afternoon. Map the most important records first, choose where they belong, and make sure the right person knows how to find them.