Record Keeping
The immigration records every family should preserve
Reliable records can make renewals, travel, family petitions, and naturalization preparation easier to manage.
Keep every agency record
Preserve receipt notices, biometrics notices, interview notices, requests for evidence, approvals, denials, immigration court papers, employment authorization cards, and copies of current and expired status documents.
Keep what you submitted
Maintain a complete copy of every form and supporting exhibit exactly as filed. Record the filing date, destination, payment method, delivery tracking, and receipt number.
Protect civil and relationship records
Keep birth, marriage, divorce, adoption, name-change, and death records, plus certified translations. Families relying on a relationship-based filing should preserve genuine shared-life evidence as it is naturally created.
Use secure backups
Store paper originals safely and use an encrypted digital backup with access limited to trusted people. Avoid placing sensitive identity documents in ordinary email, text messages, or unprotected cloud folders.