Important Documents Checklist for Canadian Households
The five categories of documents every Canadian family needs on file, and how long to keep them.
Quick answer
Every Canadian household should file 5 categories of documents: identity (birth certs, SIN, passports, and any immigration status documents), financial (tax returns, bank statements, investment records — plus business records if self-employed), property (deed or lease, mortgage, insurance), medical (health cards, immunizations, prescriptions), and legal (will, POA, marriage certificate). Keep tax records for 6 years, permanent documents indefinitely.
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Identity documents
- Birth certificates for every family member
- Social Insurance Number cards
- Passports (adults + children)
- Provincial health cards
- Driver's licences and vehicle ownership
- Citizenship, PR, or immigration papers
- NEXUS / Global Entry cards
Financial documents
- Last 6 years of tax returns and Notices of Assessment
- T4, T5, T3, RRSP contribution slips
- Bank + credit-card statements (12 months)
- Investment statements: RRSP, TFSA, RESP, non-registered
- Loan agreements (auto, personal, student)
- Employer pension and benefits paperwork
Property + housing
- Deed or lease agreement
- Mortgage documents and renewal history
- Property tax bills
- Home + auto insurance policies
- Utility bills (one recent for each service)
- Appliance warranties and receipts
Medical documents
- Health card numbers
- Immunization records
- Prescription list with dosages
- Specialist referral letters
- Dental + vision insurance cards
- Advance care directive if applicable
Legal documents
- Original will (and location of the executor's copy)
- Powers of attorney (property + personal care)
- Marriage certificate / divorce decree
- Custody agreements
- Adoption records
- Pet ownership + vet records
How long to keep each document
- Tax returns + supporting slips: 6 years (CRA requirement)
- Bank + credit card statements: 1 year, unless needed for taxes
- Utility bills: 1 year
- Home purchase documents: as long as you own the home + 6 years
- Insurance policies: while active, plus 3 years
- Wills, birth certificates, passports, marriage certs: permanently
Practical tips
- Scan every document as you file it. Store the PDFs in an encrypted cloud folder and label them consistently: YYYY-MM_category_description.
- Use a fire-rated safe for originals. Keep photocopies in the working binder.
- Set a January reminder to purge anything past its retention period — shredded, not recycled.
Sources
Deadlines, dollar figures, and thresholds above were checked against these sources — July 2026. Rules change; always confirm current figures at the link before relying on them.
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The CRA requires you to keep tax records and supporting documents for 6 years from the end of the tax year they relate to.
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