Tips for keeping important documents secure while moving

Many items of considerable size, weight, or special significance are easy to remember during a move. For instance, it’s unlikely you’ll forget about moving your large pieces of furniture, appliances, or artwork. On the other hand, there are some of the most important items which are the easiest to overlook during the moving process. If you don’t prioritize significant documents, you can easily damage or lose them during packing and moving. Therefore, it’s safe to say that losing birth certificates or financial statements can cost you a whole lot of stress and frustration. If your move is approaching, read on to get a hold of the tips for keeping important documents secure while moving professional movers Miami prepared for you.

Use a documents checklist while moving and storing documents

To avoid losing track of all of your important documents while moving, have a checklist ready. This way, while moving companies Miami Beach make sure you don’t forget anything major, you’ll have a lot of time to double-check you’ve packed your documents. Here are the domestic moving documents you may need:

• Birth certificates
• Financial records
• Home mortgage information
• Legal papers
• Medical records
• School transcripts
• Veterinary records

And here are the international moving documents you may need. These could include:

• Passports for each member of your family
• Visas and work permits
• Multiple copies of employment contracts
• Letters stating the length of stay, housing arrangements, and salary
• Immunization records
• Consulate contact information for your new residence
• Embassy contact information

While creating your documents checklist also keep in mind the following

For the most part, we don’t have one single location where we keep all important documents. To ensure that you don’t miss any of your documents, create a checklist already while you’re collecting moving quotes Miami. This way, by the time you’re supposed to be packing you can check off the papers as you’re packing them. Additionally, consider making a list of places you keep records. For example, filing cabinets, envelopes, and personal items like purses where you keep documents. There’s one more important thing to include in your checklist. And that is noting which documents can be packed for transportation and which need to be accessible during the relocation process.

Decide whether storage or moving is the best option for keeping important documents secure

Sometimes, you don’t need to keep your documents on the road with your other belongings. Consider your options before you begin boxing up your documents. If you’re moving long-distance, you will have to bring all your records with you on your moving day as well as keep them with you at all times. Nevertheless, the situation changes if you’re moving locally or moving over several trips. Storing your documents instead of hauling them with your other belongings may make more sense in this case. In these situations you could:

• consider opening a safety deposit box with your bank
• have a close friend or family member hold onto your records
• rent a document storage unit

With storage Miami, you can put the documents in a secure location and collect them once you’re settled. This is the safest way to ensure that nothing gets misplaced.

Find the right containers for keeping important documents secure

It’s very important to place these papers in an appropriate container. Among moving services Miami you’ll find a plethora of moving supplies. However, your documents require something more specific. Something that will protect them from bending, falling prey to pests, or sustaining moisture damage. Your goal is to keep the documents safe and to control who accesses them during your relocation. An accordion envelope or a portable file box is a great solution for documents not containing sensitive information. However, for one-of-a-kind documents, consider investing in a lockbox or fire safe.

Learn how to properly dispose of sensitive information while packing up your documents

As you gather your documents and begin boxing them up, you will likely find many outdated or obsolete papers. Before getting rid of them, be sure to check if these documents contain sensitive information. For example, your birthdate, social security number, or account number for a financial institution or utility company. You should opt for shredding these documents to protect your personal information. Keep in mind that disposing of these documents in a traditional way could lead to identity theft.

By making backup copies you’re keeping important documents secure as they can be

Digital copies of your essential records are the ones you should be focusing on. You can scan or photograph your documents to create a virtual copy. While working with digital versions of your documents, take the same level of safety precautions as you would for a hard copy. You shouldn’t store copies of sensitive documents on unsecured electronic devices.

Set aside documents you’ll need during the relocation process

During your move, you will certainly need to access some of your personal documents. For example, your driver’s license or your ID is some of these documents. Furthermore, any paperwork relating to movers, storage facilities, new home utilities, or new home lease should be kept at hand. Therefore, consider creating a binder or putting together a single folder to hold these items. These should be small enough you can keep them in your luggage or purse as you travel.

Now you’re prepared!

We have shared with you our best tips and advice regarding important documentation. Once again, have your list of important moving documents and forms ready on time. Double-check everything before the moving day. And trust you moving company to deal with everything else. Following these guidelines will ensure you’re keeping important documents secure while moving.