How/where do you store important documents?

[FulhamTilly]

My Dear Niece (DN) is going to University in September, and I was talking to my DS tonight, and one question we had was: how should she store her important documents when she is away?

DN intends to apply for internships etc., go on holiday with friends, open bank accounts, etc. if the opportunity arises, and therefore wants to take to uni with her:

• birth certificate
• passport
• GCSE certificates
• A-level certificates

In case anyone asks for them.

How should she store them so that they are safe? I was thinking that maybe a plastic button-close wallet might be ok.

What do others think? Back in my day a lot of this stuff was quite informal - I remember opening a bank account proving my ID with an "organ donation card"!

DN has also suggested going "back-packing" for a while, and I wondered what she should take with her in this case. Passport only I would have thought?

Folder with plastic wallets? Can keep various bits of important paper in there too.

Mine took his passport, kept in a plastic underbed box with first aid stuff, covid tests etc. All other docs scanned in and saved on a shared access cloud storage but originals left here.

Mine keep all originals at home. If they need documents for anything they upload a copy. Have driving licence with them which covers most things

Scan them into computer no one needs the originals I don't think. I opened a vNK ACCIUNT with starling last week all on the app

My DD's took passport but nothing else. No idea where exam certificates are, hope their dad had them (we've since split!)

I moved to to this country over a decade ago now, I was a recent graduate. I still have the A4 display book that I brought with me all those years ago, birth certificate, degree etc. I've added more to it over the years as well. Passports are kept in a travel wallet in my bedside table.

Somewhere in a big pile of paperwork and stuff in the corner of the bedroom.

I bought a case from Amazon which claims to be waterproof and fireproof. I keep family documents and cash in there. It is lockable. It's like a briefcase. I can't confirm it is waterproof and fireproof fortunately! I do trust that it is

Thinking of exam certificates, they are valuable as there are so many fakes around, so possibly take certified copies to university. Always back up with scans.

I had to present all my original exam certificates for sighting and copying on my first day at every school when I started a job in in the UK. When I moved to Australia I had to present originals in order to register as a teacher in Victoria.

Obviously rules change.

Do not do what I did. Bought a small safe, one with a keypad. The batteries died and yes the keys to use should this happen were safely locked inside the safe……….

In the 15 years I’ve left school I have never once been asked for those documents (GCSE/ SATs) nog sure she will need those

I’ve never had anyone ask for physical copies for gcse/A level certificates - backed up scans of those are fine. Even my degree certificates and transcripts I’ve only ever been asked for digital copies. I don’t think she will need her birth certificate either. I only needed mine for the first time recently when I had to prove my identity but my driving licence and passport had both expired.
A passport or driving licence is usually enough to open a bank account nowadays. She absolutely won’t need anything beyond a passport (&insurance/whatever EHICs are called now) for travelling.

In a physical folder but also photos of everything on a folder on my phone

Not a folder but a box. It's not very big (biscuit tin size) but it would be the only thing I would grab if my house was on fire.
My family (DH and adult kids) know it's where I keep special things. They call it 'Mum's special box'. It isn't hidden away or locked and anyone has access to it. It's the place for passports, birth certificates, annual holiday travel insurance cert, wills, V5C, GHIC, wifi password, hospital appt letters and a photo of my mum to watch over everything. Anything important really.
My kids have left home but they all still use my box.

Something like this https://www.officestationery.co.uk/product/valuex-cathedral-metal-suspension-file-box-a4-blue-a4bl-14312ca-EXR14312CA/?showVat=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIksmTmZ30_gIVCOztCh0eiAQ-EAQYBCABEgIi5_D_BwE

Every job I've applied for recently wanted to see my gcse certificates in hard copy. I'm 50.

It's probably best at that age/stage if hall/shared accomm only to take the absolute essentials with her and keep the rest safe at her parents home. Unless it's likely she will do last minute travel (wasn't an option for me as a poor student) or she doesn't have a driving licence for photo ID I wouldn't even take her passport. Certainly for the GCSE/A level certificates, just have access to scans as they are harder to replace than birth certificate.

If she does want to take them then my downsized solution (after years of moving internationally and needing to carry 5 people's many docs in hand luggage) is one of those folders with a4 plastic inserts inside a spare laptop bag, kept somewhere easy to grab in an emergency. Passports in same bag in a a5 button close wallet. And emphasise that you always return any item removed as soon as you get back. The number of posts about lost passports/certificates gives me the fear. Ours are never allowed to be put anywhere except the folder after use.

Now, in a plastic wallet with multiple sections and labels in a cupboard. Was off amazon for a few pounds. Can pick them up in tesco/asda/whsmith etc.

When I was at uni I just had my passport and driving license, dad emailed me copies of stuff when I needed it. I kept them in my desk draw/purse.