Moving comes with plenty of boxes, but some of the most important things you'll carry with you aren’t lamps or pots and pans — they’re your important documents.

When you're in the middle of a move, it's surprisingly easy to misplace a birth certificate or scramble to find your car title. Whether you’re switching apartments or settling into a forever home, organizing your important documents ahead of time can prevent a lot of headaches later.

Here’s how to make sure your paperwork stays secure, accessible, and stress-free during your move — and how Trustworthy’s Family Operating System® can help.

Step 1: Know What You Need to Keep Handy

Not everything has to stay within reach during a move — but the following documents should never be packed in a moving box:

• IDs (including passports, driver’s licenses, and Social Security cards).

• Birth and marriage certificates.

• Health insurance cards and medical records.

• School records.

• Lease or mortgage paperwork.

• Moving contracts and receipts.

• Car titles and registration.

• Pet vaccination records.

• Utility account numbers and setup confirmations.

• Emergency contacts.

To stay organized, use Trustworthy to digitize and store these documents ahead of time. That way, even if something gets misplaced during the chaos of moving day, you’ll still have secure access on your phone.

Step 2: Digitize Documents Before You Pack

If you’re relying on paper copies, you’re taking a risk. Spilled coffee, misfiled folders, or a lost box could mean hours of stress — and potentially bigger problems if you need to prove identity or ownership.

Instead, scan your key documents before you move. Trustworthy makes it easy to:

• Use your phone to scan documents or upload PDFs.

• Sort files into categories like IDs, property, taxes, and finance.

• Add notes or expiration dates, so you’re reminded to renew what’s needed.

Having digital copies doesn’t just prevent loss — it makes your life easier when you’re filling out new forms, setting up services, or enrolling kids in a new school.

Even if you’ve uploaded everything to Trustworthy, you may still need to carry physical copies of some essential documents, such as your IDs. But skip the bulky file box. For most documents, it's fine to rely on your digital vault.

Step 3: Store Documents Where You Can Find Them

Once you're in your new place, it’s tempting to shove files in a drawer and deal with them later. But “later” often turns into “never,” and the next time you need your homeowners insurance policy, you’re digging through boxes in the garage.

That’s why digital organization matters. In Trustworthy, you can:

• Assign roles so your spouse or family members can access what they need.

• Get reminders for document renewals and expirations.

• Quickly share documents with real estate agents, movers, schools, or others.

• Keep everything secure, private, and accessible — wherever you go.

Step 4: Update Your Information

A move usually means updating your address across dozens of places, including bank accounts, credit cards, insurance providers, the IRS, your state's auto licensing agency, and subscription services.

Keep a checklist in Trustworthy and mark updates as you complete them.

A Little Planning Saves a Lot of Stress

Moving is a fresh start — don’t let it get bogged down by paperwork. By organizing your documents ahead of time and storing them securely in Trustworthy, you’ll not only avoid unnecessary stress on moving day but also start your next chapter feeling calm, prepared, and in control.

Want help setting up your digital vault before your move? Get started free with Trustworthy — no credit card required.