Documents To Replace After A House Fire
Lost your IDs and papers in the fire? Here's what to replace first, and where.
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Replace These First
- Driver's license or ID: Texas Department of Public Safety
- Bank cards and checks: call your bank
- Insurance policies: call your agent
- Medicine and prescriptions: call your pharmacy
Then These
- Birth certificates: Texas DSHS Vital Statistics or the Houston Health Department Bureau of Vital Statistics
- Social Security cards: Social Security Administration, 1-800-772-1213 (weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time). Ask about Form SS-5 for a replacement card.
- Passports: U.S. Department of State
- Deed and property records: Harris County Clerk
- Vehicle titles: your county tax office
- Tax records: IRS transcripts online
Contact each office to confirm current replacement steps and fees.
Tips
Start with the documents you need to prove who you are. Many other offices will ask for your ID first. Keep a folder of everything you replace, and scan copies to the cloud this time.