Document guide

Keep or shred?

How long to keep common household documents, in plain English. These are general guidelines; your situation, your state and your tax professional may call for longer.

Personal and legal

Document	How long to keep it
Birth, marriage and death certificates; adoption and divorce papers	Permanently
Passports and Social Security cards	Permanently, stored securely (renew passports on time)
Wills, trusts and powers of attorney	Permanently (the current versions); tell someone where they are
Military service records	Permanently

Taxes

Document	How long to keep it
Tax returns and supporting documents	At least 3 years after filing. The IRS can look back 6 years if income was substantially underreported, and 7 years for bad debt or worthless securities claims. Many people keep the returns themselves indefinitely.
W-2s and 1099s	With the tax return. Many people keep W-2s longer to check their Social Security earnings record.
Pay stubs	Until they match your W-2 at year end

Home

Document	How long to keep it
Purchase and closing documents	While you own the home, plus at least 3 years after the tax return for the year you sell
Home improvement receipts and permits	While you own the home, plus at least 3 years after the tax return for the year you sell
Mortgage statements	Until the loan is paid off; keep the payoff and lien release letter permanently
Homeowners insurance policies	While active, and longer if a claim is open
Property tax bills	With the tax return they're deducted on, or while you own the home

Money and bills

Document	How long to keep it
Bank statements	About 1 year, or with tax records if they support a deduction
Credit card statements	Until you've checked the charges; longer if they support taxes, warranties or a dispute
Investment purchase confirmations	Until you sell, plus at least 3 years after the tax return for that year
Loan documents	Until paid off; keep the payoff letter
Utility and phone bills	Until the next bill shows your payment, unless used for a home office deduction
Medical bills and insurance explanations of benefits	Until resolved, or with tax records if you deduct medical expenses

Things you own

Document	How long to keep it
Receipts for major purchases	For the warranty period, or while you own the item if needed for insurance
Warranties and manuals	While you own the item (digital copies are fine)
Vehicle title and registration	While you own the vehicle
Vehicle maintenance records	While you own the vehicle; they help at resale

Shred, don't just recycle

Anything with your Social Security number, account numbers, date of birth or signature
Pre-approved credit offers and old checks
Old IDs and expired cards (cut through the chip and number)

General information, not legal or tax advice. Sources include IRS guidance on how long to keep records. Check IRS.gov or ask a tax professional for your situation.