Replacing Important Documents
How do I replace important documents that were lost when our home burned down? We lost everything including our house deed, car titles, tax returns, Social Security and Medicare cards, birth certificates, marriage license and passports.
Losing your home in a fire is a devasting event, made even more difficult by the loss of your personal belongings and important documents. Replacing essential documents destroyed in a fire, however, can be a straightforward process once you know where to turn. Here are some resources to help you get started.
Birth certificates: If you were born in the United States, you can replace your birth certificate by contacting the vital records office in the state where you were born. You can visit CDC.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm for contact information. The state office will give you specific instructions on how to order a certified copy. The cost will vary from state to state but often ranges between $10 to $30.
Car titles: Most states offer replacements through the agency that handles vehicle titles in your state, which could be the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Revenue, Secretary of State or another agency. You will need to complete a Replacement Title application and pay the application fee, which varies by state. You may also need to show identification and proof that you own the car, such as your vehicle registration or provide your license plate number and vehicle identification number.
Property deed: To obtain a copy of the deed to your house, contact the county recorder’s office. Some counties provide an online self-service option where you can search for your property, locate the deed and download a copy of your deed. If you are not able to obtain a copy of your deed online, then visit the office in person or call for assistance to request help in obtaining a copy.
Marriage certificate: To obtain a replacement for your marriage certificate, contact the vital records office of the state you married in to order a copy. For contact information on each state, visit CDC.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm. You will need to provide the full names of both you and your spouse, the date of your wedding and the city or town where the wedding was held. The fee for a replacement typically ranges between $10 to $30.
Social Security cards: In most states, you can request a replacement Social Security card online for free at SSA.gov/myaccount. Once there, click on “Request a replacement Social Security card” and answer a few questions to verify your identity and that you are eligible for a replacement.
Medicare cards: If you are enrolled in original Medicare, you can replace a lost or damaged Medicare card by calling Medicare at 800-633-4227 or by logging into your MyMedicare.gov account. There can print your own card or request a new card to be mailed to you at no cost. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will need to call your plan to get your card replaced. If you get Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you can get a replacement card by calling 877-772-5772.
Tax returns: If you used a tax preparer, contact them to request copies of past tax returns. You can also get copies of federal returns directly from the Internal Revenue Service by filling out and mailing Form 4506. To download this form, visit IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf or call 800-829-3676 and request it be mailed to you directly. The cost is $30 for each return requested. To get copies of your state tax returns, contact your state’s tax agency. Some states will offer an online service while others may require that you mail or fax a request form.
Passports: If your U.S. passports were not expired, you should report them as lost. You can do this online at PPTform.state.gov or in person when you apply for a new passport at a Passport Acceptance Facility, many of which are located in U.S. post offices. Visit iafdb.travel.state.gov to locate a facility near you. You will also need to complete and submit Form DS-64 and Form DS-11. The replacement fee is $130 per passport.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
