Course Catalog / BMU 070 / Lesson 2 of 5

BMU 070

Quick review

1. What should you read before you fill out a form?

See the answer

The instructions.

Why this matters

Many forms ask for the same papers. A job may ask for your ID. A school may ask for a birth certificate. A new home may ask for proof of where you live now.

If your key papers are in one safe place, you can find them fast. In this lesson you make a list of your key papers. You mark each one have it or need it.

Start with what you already do

You already keep some papers. Maybe they are in a drawer, a bag, or a box.

Common belief: You should carry your Social Security card in your wallet so you always have it.

What is actually true: The Social Security Administration says not to carry your card unless you need it. Keep it in a safe place. In most cases, knowing your number is enough.

Key words

ID

A card that shows who you are, like a state ID or driver's license.

birth certificate

The official paper that shows when and where you were born.

lease

A paper you sign to rent a home.

copy

A second version of a paper, on paper or on your phone.

Short explanation

Ready.gov is the U.S. government site for getting ready for emergencies. It says to gather your key papers now and keep them safe. Then you can find them for a form, a move, or an emergency.

Step 1: List your key papers

Ready.gov lists these papers to keep safe:

• Photo ID, like a state ID or driver's license
• Birth certificate
• Social Security card
• Housing papers, like your lease or rent receipts
• Insurance papers, like health, renters, or car insurance
• Tax papers and proof of income
• Health papers, like shot records and a list of your medicines

Step 2: Mark have it or need it

Go down the list. Write have it next to each paper you can find. Write need it next to each paper you cannot find. Now you know what to get.

Step 3: Pick one safe place

Ready.gov says to store key papers in a safe deposit box, on an external drive, or in the cloud. At home, use one folder or box. Keep it away from water and heat. Tell one person you trust where it is.

Step 4: Do not carry what you do not need

The Social Security Administration says not to carry your Social Security card. It also says not to carry other papers that show your number. Carry your ID. Leave the rest in your kit.

Step 5: Replace what is missing

USAGov lists who to contact for each lost paper. For a birth certificate, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born. For a state ID, contact your state motor vehicle office. A new Social Security card is free from the Social Security Administration.

Text version of this figure

• 1. Photo ID. Carry this one.
• 2. Birth certificate. Keep in the kit.
• 3. Social Security card. Keep in the kit. Do not carry.
• 4. Lease. Or rent receipts.
• 5. Insurance. Health, renters, car.
• 6. Tax papers. And proof of income.
• 7. Health papers. Shot records, medicine list.

Worked example: Build a made up kit

Kim is a made up mom. She is about to apply for an apartment. She checks her papers.

Part	Model	Why it works
Photo ID	Have it. In her wallet.	She carries this one.
Birth certificate	Need it. She cannot find it.	She will contact the vital records office in her birth state.
Social Security card	Have it. In her wallet.	She moves it to her kit at home.
Lease	Have it. In a kitchen drawer.	She moves it to her kit.
Insurance	Have it. On her phone.	She prints a copy for her kit.

Practice: Have it or need it

A made up worker named Lou has his ID and his lease. His birth certificate was lost in a move. Which paper is need it, and who should he contact?

Check your practice: feedback

The birth certificate is need it. He should contact the vital records office in the state where he was born.

USAGov lists that office for birth certificates.

Common mistakes

• Keeping papers in many places. Use one folder or box.
• Carrying your Social Security card every day. Keep it in your kit. Bring it only when someone must see the card.
• Waiting until a form asks for a paper. Mark need it now and start getting it.

Check your understanding

Take it as many times as you like. Pick an answer, then open the feedback.

1. Which paper does Ready.gov say to keep in your kit?

1. Your birth certificate.
2. Your old utility bills from years ago.
3. Your library card.

See the answer and feedback

A is correct. Right. It is one of the key papers.

B: Old bills are not on the list. A birth certificate is. Review Step 1.

C: A library card is easy to replace. A birth certificate is on the list. Review Step 1.

2. Where should your Social Security card stay most days?

1. In your wallet.
2. In a safe place at home.
3. In your car.

See the answer and feedback

B is correct. Right. The Social Security Administration says not to carry it.

A: Do not carry it unless you need it. Review Step 4.

C: A car is not a safe place for it. Review Step 4.

3. You lost your birth certificate. Who can give you a new one?

1. The hospital where you were born.
2. The Social Security office.
3. The vital records office in your birth state.

See the answer and feedback

C is correct. Right. USAGov lists that office.

A: Hospitals do not issue birth certificates. The vital records office does. Review Step 5.

B: Social Security replaces Social Security cards, not birth certificates. Review Step 5.

Next up

Next you will learn how to answer an official letter by its deadline. Go to Lesson 3: Answering official letters. BMU 070 is free. There is no paywall and no fee.

Stuck or have a question? Ask BMU Learner Support.

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