In your state: If the property deed was recorded, contact the Registrar of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Copies are certified for a fee. If the property deed was not properly recorded, you may have to obtain a new deed from the previous owner.

Out of state: To replace lost or destroyed deeds, contact the clerk and/or recorder at the courthouse in the county where the property is located.

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Lesson Contents
I. Introduction
II. How to Get Organized
III. Organize Important Papers

a. Which Papers to Keep

b. Where to Keep Papers

c. How Long to Keep Papers

d. When to Update Papers

e. How to Replace Papers

e.1. Birth and death certificate

e.2. Citizenship and naturalization papers

e.3. Driver’s license

e.4. Federal income tax return

e.5. Insurance policies

e.6. Marriage licenses, marriage dissolutions, adoption decrees

e.7. Military discharge papers

e.8. Passport

e.9. Property deeds

e.10. Savings bonds and notes

e.11. Social Security card

e.12. Vehicle title

e.13. Will

IV. What are SMART Goals?

a. SMART Goal Setting Techniques

b. Write and Visualize Your Goals

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Acknowledgments

Organize Your Important Household Papers belongs to a series called Legally Secure Your Financial Future. The series also includes information to help you communicate with others and begin preparing your estate plan.