Document Recovery

How to Recover Lost Documents

If you have lost important documents or those documents were destroyed in the storm it is vital that you replace them.

Prepare to Receive Your New Documents

The first thing to do if you your home was destroyed or you will be unable to return to your home until repairs are complete is to have your mail forwarded to a safe location. This can be done online  or in person at your nearest the post office location. You can find your nearest post office and its hours here.

Replacing your Important Documents

Florida Driver's License

  • These can be replaced online at: https://www.flhsmv.gov/
  • They can also be replaced in person at your local DMV office. To locate your local DMV office please click here.

Social Security Cards

  • To replace your or your family member's social security cards please go here.
  • The Social Security Administration will not charge you to replace a card - please be aware of services offering to replace your card for a fee.

U.S. Birth Certificate

  • You will need to contact the office of vital statistics of the state where you were born to acquire a copy of your birth certificate.
  • If you were born abroad you will need to contact the consulate of the nation you were born in or the State Department to gain a copy of your birth certificate.
  • If you were born in Florida you can order copies of birth certificates at the Florida Department of Health.

Marriage Certificate

  • You will need to contact the office of vital statistics of the state where you were born to acquire a copy of your birth certificate.
  • If you were married abroad you will need to either contact the State Department, here, or the consulate of the nation where you were married. 
  • If you were born in Florida you can order copies of birth certificates at the Florida Department of Health.

Death Certificate

  • If you are in need of a copy of a death certificate for a death that occurred outside of Florida, you will need to contact the vital statistics office of the state where the death occurred.
  • If the death occurred in Florida, you request a copy of the certificate online from the Florida Department of Health.

U.S. Passport

  • If your passport has been lost or destroyed in a disaster you will need to report it to the State Department. You can report the document lost or destroyed here.
  • Follow the instruction in the link above to report the passport lost and obtain a new passport.

Immigration Documents

Voter Registration Card

  • The following link can help you replace your voter registration no matter what state you are registered in:  https://www.usa.gov/election-office
  • Florida Voters can contact their County Supervisor of Elections. This page contains information on how to update your voting information and replacing documents.

Medicare/Medicaid Documents

Debit Cards

  • Contact your bank's card service for replacements Debit Cards.
  • If you do no know your bank or credit union's phone number call FDIC’s toll-free number (877) 275-3342 who will be able to give it to you.

Credit Cards

  • If your credit cards have been lost or destroyed contact your card company to tell them of the loss or destruction and to obtain a replacement.
  • Below are the names, numbers, and websites for some of the largest credit card services:

Helpful Links

https://www.usa.gov/replace-vital-documents#item-212689  has helpful information to replace many of your important documents.