Document Retention

[Stinkerpotsam 5]

Does anyone have knowledge of how long document retention should be? We, like all of you, have a giant box of immigration paperwork and am just wondering what everyone is doing with it and when. Thanks :)

[JeanneAdil 6,204]

i was going to burn it but Adil applied for his brother and i may need some of the dates and other for NVC years from now /no way would i or he remember everything and if any past employer went out of business,  documents might not be available 

[OldUser 4,875]

1 hour ago, Stinkerpotsam said:

Does anyone have knowledge of how long document retention should be? We, like all of you, have a giant box of immigration paperwork and am just wondering what everyone is doing with it and when. Thanks

My approach:

 

- Keep the important documents such as original I-797 notices, naturalization certificate etc indefinitely.

- Scan all the forms ever submitted (I-485, I-130, I-751, N-400) into digital documents and keep indefinitely in a cloud and computer

- Scan all evidence into digital documents and keep indefinitely in a cloud and computer

 

I wouldn't want to be stuck proving how I became a citizen 20 years later if I'm asked to for whatever reason. That may apply if I have to sponsor somebody, or if some of my descendants decide to become US citizens based on my citizenship etc.

 

 

[yuna628 9,530]

I've been wondering that myself actually. We have boxes of the stuff that seems unnecessary to keep after everything is now all done. Kind of like a lead weight of what ifs we can't get rid of though, it's sometimes terrifying to think of shredding it all. I think maybe digitize everything multiple times and keep all official letters might be the way to go for now.

[OldUser 4,875]

2 hours ago, yuna628 said:

I think maybe digitize everything multiple times and keep all official letters might be the way to go for now.

That's what I also think. Things like bank statements, bills etc I can print again. What I cannot print is the original USCIS letters 😊

[TBoneTX 43,133]

In the past, a lot of people kept the papers for 2 years after Nat and had a ceremonial bonfire.

 

Never mind USCIS -- I have a whole separate box full of garbage just from dealing with the [censored] Guayaquil consulate.  It would enrage me all over again to go through it.

[Stinkerpotsam 5]

Thanks so much everybody, I really appreciate the input. In the beginning I started a big binder that I was putting everything in. Maybe I will just finish that up and store it and then get rid of all the extra stuff. I’m kind of like you guys, it scares me to think of getting rid of it. It was such an ordeal to go through and they can switch on you’re so easy. 🫤