Unnecessary Stress

[NickD 203]

Not really concerned about thief of our documents, worthless to anyone else, more so water or fire damage. I put everything in a zip-lock bag, wife gets on my because I carry a small bag for my cell phone or digital camera. Hey, one drop of water on those things, and they are dead. And has been known to rain. Cheap protection again water damage.

Do have a fire proof filing cabinet, but in a cement room in the basement, not very likely if the home burns down, the contents would be damaged. You can stack your entire immigration file in one two gallon size zip lock bag, also acts like a folder for easy stacking. Not really concerned about flooding anyway, learned that the hard way by buying a home in a hole, on the top of a hill now. Also learned two types of pollutants, those that are lighter than air are not a problem, they go up, but those that are heavier than air sink to the bottom, and if you are living in the bottom, you get the worse of it.

Could roll up your documents and put them in a two quart Mason jar and bury that in your back yard, but also rather inconvenient. Try to teach my kids, organization doesn't take time, it saves a lot of time, especially if you have to find something quick.

[antda 13]

I LOVED reading through this thread and commiserate/empathize/appreciate all of it, having been there too. Like Ant, I still find myself getting excited at a new piece of 'evidence' until I realize I don't have to collect it anymore .

Ant, what you might want to consider for those important documents is to keep a copy at home and put everything except the passports in a safety deposit box at the bank. (hehehe, and the receipt for the box in both names is good evidence - oh wait, don't need that anymore!). That way they are safe and secure and you generally know in advance if you will need the original so can go and get it out. Copies will generally work for whatever you might need in the meantime. I wouldn't keep passports in the safety deposit box, however, as you may have an emergency need to travel during hours when the bank is closed and would lose time waiting for the bank to open. You might want to invest in a small lockable chest or box that you can keep in a safe place somewhere in the house and keep the passports - and the safety deposit box key - in there.

Kathryn41-Likewise, I loved reading this thread too. It makes me think of how important VJ is, and helps me appreciate more of the immigration process that we all have to go through. Lol..I still collect joint evidence too, even though I don't need to. I guess it is out of habit that I do such. Actually, it was kind of funny really, the other day I was talking to my husband about doing the opposite...And he said, "For immigration you want to put your name on the bills, and now after immigration you want to take your names off the bills. Doesn't this seem odd?". To which I said, "Well, I don't think that joint bills are the only thing that prove a genuine marriage. There is more to marriage than the bills. Also, bills can be easily faked and I can put anyone's name on it, really. Heck, I can put my son's name on the bills, but does that show that I'm married to him. Heck, no! Besides, it's more bothersome to put both names on the bills, and some companies gave a hard time about it. So why bother, especialy now that I don't have to deal with immigration anymore". Personally, I see marriage as more than just the bills and/or joint financial information. Too bad the USCIS doesn't see it that way....Sigh....

Thanks too, for your suggestions about how to keep documents safe. Good idea about making photocopies, so I will do that, as soon as possible. There is one document though...The US Naturalization Certificate...It says something along the lines of "It is illegal to make photocopies....". Oh well, like the immigration officer told me during my oath ceremony when I inquired about such, they said "one copy for personal use is fine". Lol..Little do they know, that the SSA, DMV, and other government agencies made photocopies of such already....By the way, here is another funny tidbit: If one loses their naturalization certificate...To file for a replacement...It says the applicant is supposed to make a photocopy of such. Umm...Isn't that contradictory to what it says on the certificate? Oh, and how can one make a photocopy of something that is 'lost'...Now that is strange! Anyways, USCIS aside, I will do the photocopies. And I will look into the lockable chest and other options. Good point that you bring up too, about keeping passports convenient, in case it is needed for emergency travel! I sure don't want to lose that Canadian passport of mine....It would be hard to replace that too! Keep the key with the passports...Got it...Good tip there too..

I agree, Kathryn. I loved reading this thread.

You know, my husband thinks I'm crazy because I've been gathering evidence - he seems to think it's not necessary because we're married. Wait until I explain what we will need for ROC ...

Deb+Steve-Lol...My husband thought I was crazy too for gathering all that evidence. Now he thinks I'm crazy for wanting to get rid of the evidence now that I'm done with immigration. Oh the woes of immigration.....

And yes, do tell your husband about the ROC (heck, you can even print out the form and go through it with him), so that he's ready for such too...Lol..Then you can say "I told you so"....And start gathering all the necessary paperwork!

Not really concerned about thief of our documents, worthless to anyone else, more so water or fire damage. I put everything in a zip-lock bag, wife gets on my because I carry a small bag for my cell phone or digital camera. Hey, one drop of water on those things, and they are dead. And has been known to rain. Cheap protection again water damage.

Do have a fire proof filing cabinet, but in a cement room in the basement, not very likely if the home burns down, the contents would be damaged. You can stack your entire immigration file in one two gallon size zip lock bag, also acts like a folder for easy stacking. Not really concerned about flooding anyway, learned that the hard way by buying a home in a hole, on the top of a hill now. Also learned two types of pollutants, those that are lighter than air are not a problem, they go up, but those that are heavier than air sink to the bottom, and if you are living in the bottom, you get the worse of it.

Could roll up your documents and put them in a two quart Mason jar and bury that in your back yard, but also rather inconvenient. Try to teach my kids, organization doesn't take time, it saves a lot of time, especially if you have to find something quick.

NickD-I'm not concerned about theft either, as where I live, it's pretty much safe around here...No crime at all!

I am though concerned about water and fire damage, like you. Especially more so that we live near a flood zone. Thank goodness though, that we built the house on top of a hill, and don't have to worry about immediate damage. But yes, water and fire will always be threats by nature. Hmm..This reminded me that I recently went to the SSA office, and heard that some person lost everything due to fire damage. It was hard for them to get their documents all over again, so that made me think even more about protecting my documents too…

Great too, that you have a fire proof filing cabinet. Ill have to look into that too. I never knew about the pollutants either…interesting….

Funny, how you mentioned about the zip-lock bags and mason jars. That's actually not a bad idea! Thanks. What a low-tech, low-cost, and easy way to do such! I especially loved the mason jar idea. Hmm…Maybe I can make a time capsule or something. Now that is a creative project to do with my son, when he is older. I have plenty of back yard space (several acres), so Im pretty sure I can have a lot of fun with that (and learn organization skills too).

Ok, everyone…So these are my options now, based on your suggestions….

-Safety chest/box

-Safety deposit box at a bank

-Zip lock bags

-Mason jars

-Oh and make sure to make photocopies of everything, just in case…

Now I definitely have things to look into, to keep my documents safe and secure! Thanks again for all your suggestions…..

Ant

Edited April 3, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[NickD 203]

Logic of waterproofing your documents is not flooding, but fire. If you have a fire, the fire department will drive over and toss a bucket of water on your documents. Filing cabinet is fireproof, but not water proof.

Seen the fire department do more damage to a home putting out a small fire than the fire itself, but again, they are government employees.