Department of Financial Services y 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236) y www.myfloridacfo.com
Checklist Hints
These helpful hints provide direction in identifying the best resources for gathering the documents listed on the
Checklist of Important Legal Documents and Financial Statements.
How to get important documents
You can obtain copies of birth, death, marriage, divorce and adoption certificates from your state health or
social services administrations for a minimal fee.
The IRS says U.S. Citizens who receive income are required to have an SSN. Call your local social security
office for assistance in obtaining new/replacement cards, or refer to the SSN FAQ Web page
http://www.cpsr.org/cpsr/privacy/ssn/ssn.faq.html
for further assistance.
A copy of your passport will expedite obtaining a replacement passport if needed. Information about obtaining
a passport is available at http://travel.state.gov/passport/
.
Information on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is available at
http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/
. Naturalization documents are the only acceptable proof of
citizenship for individuals not born in the United States.
A Will is an extremely helpful document that can help reduce family conflicts, probate, time and expenses
during the stressful time of losing a loved one. A Short Form Will, an uncomplicated will used to give all assets
equally to one or more heirs, can generally be obtained for less than $10. Most financial planners can help you
with this or you can contact your local legal aid offices.
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that authorizes another person to act on your behalf. That person
does not have to be an attorney, just someone you trust to make decisions for you if you cannot make them
yourself. A power of attorney can grant complete authority or can be limited to certain acts and/or for certain
periods of time.
If you need a copy of your mortgage or deed of trust, contact your lending institution. Proof of home ownership
may be required in order to receive federal disaster assistance.
If you do not have your car ownership papers, you should be able to get a reissued vehicle title or registration
from your local Department of Motor Vehicles.
Financial Obligations
Having a record of your financial obligations can be extremely important to demonstrate your discretionary
income and to qualify for income-based assistance following a disaster. If you do not have a lease, having
proof of utility payments is very important to demonstrate residence in the home.
- Mortgage Statement
- Lease
- Utility Bills (Electric, Water, Gas)
- Car Payment
- Student Loan
- Alimony Payments
- Child Support Payments
- Elder Care Facilities
- Other Debt