Emergency Information Checklist for Your Family

Start with the information that saves time

An emergency file should help someone take the next useful action without guessing. Begin with names, phone numbers, locations, and short instructions. A complete archive is less helpful than a clear, current plan.

• Your full legal name, address, and date of birth
• Two emergency contacts and how they know you
• Doctors, pharmacy, insurer, attorney, accountant, and employer contacts
• Where original documents and physical keys are kept

Important documents

• Identification and passport copies
• Insurance policies and claim numbers
• Property deeds, leases, vehicle titles, and loan information
• Estate documents and the location of signed originals
• Business ownership and continuity documents

Accounts and digital access

List services and recovery steps, but avoid putting every live password into an unprotected document. A password manager, encrypted export, or separate recovery instructions may be safer.

• Primary email and mobile carrier
• Banking, utilities, subscriptions, and recurring bills
• Password manager emergency-access instructions
• Device passcodes only where disclosure is appropriate
• Cryptocurrency wallet locations and tested recovery directions

Medical, household, and dependent care

• Medications, allergies, conditions, and preferred hospital
• Children’s school and caregiver contacts
• Pet feeding, medication, veterinarian, and temporary caregiver instructions
• Home alarm, utilities, vehicles, and urgent maintenance notes

Keep the checklist usable

Name a person who will review the plan with you. Tell them that the information exists and how access works. Review it after a move, major purchase, relationship change, new account, or at least twice a year. Never treat a checklist as a substitute for legal or medical advice.