Replacing Lost Documents After a Disaster
If you just went through a fire, flood, earthquake, or other disaster, you may have lost important papers. These could include your ID, passport, birth certificate, car titles, or immigration documents. This article can help you learn how to replace them.
For more help after a disaster, visit our Disaster Relief Hub.
Which documents should you replace first?
This depends on your needs. If you need to file insurance claims or apply for disaster financial aid, you'll likely need:
- Personal identification, like a driver's license, state ID, passport, or green card.
- Proof that you own or rent a home, like a lease agreement, manufactured home title, or real property deed.
- Proof of your annual income, like a tax return.
If you need help replacing documents, your local legal aid office or community action agency may be able to help.
How to replace lost documents
Replacing documents can take time, so prioritize replacing essential documents first. Below is a list of common documents people lose with tips on how to get new ones.
If you've lost your Oregon driver's license or ID, you can order a replacement online through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website. Follow these steps:
- Sign in or create an account with the DMV (called a “DMV2U” account).
- Update your mailing address if it has changed.
- Complete the online request with your name, driver’s license number, and other details.
- Pay the fee.
- Wait about 20 days for the DMV to mail your new license or ID.
Tip: You'll need your license or ID number to complete the DMV's online form. If you don't know your number, call the Oregon DMV customer service line at (503) 945-5000.
There are several ways to prove you rent or own your home:
- Renters: You can contact your landlord and request a copy of your lease or rental agreement (Oregon law requires them to provide this). You can also use utility bills or other billing records to prove you were renting a home at the time of a disaster.
- Homeowners: You can get copies of property ownership records, like deeds or tax statements, from the county clerk or tax assessor's office in the county where the property is located.
- Manufactured home ownership records: You can use the Oregon Manufactured Home Ownership Document System to request ownership records for manufactured homes in Oregon. You can also use utility bills or similar records to prove homeownership.
If you lost your SNAP electronic benefits (EBT) card or lost food that you bought with SNAP money, contact the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) within 10 days. You may get replacement benefits along with a new card. You can learn more on ODHS’s SNAP Replacement Benefits page.
To replace these records:
- If you were born in Oregon, married in Oregon, or the deceased person died in Oregon, visit the Oregon Vital Records website. You can usually order certified copies online, by mail, phone, or in person.
- If you need to get records from another state, use this CDC map to find out where to get new records.
It’s not as urgent to replace your Social Security card. You don't need a Social Security card to apply for disaster benefits or file insurance claims as long as you know your Social Security number.
If you need a new card, you can request one for free through the Social Security Administration's website.
If your green card or other immigration documents were lost or damaged, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. You'll need to fill out a form, pay a fee, and mail in some documents.
Tip: If you got help from a lawyer applying for your green card or with another immigration process, that lawyer may have copies of your documents and paperwork.
To replace a foreign identification card, contact your closest embassy or consular office.
For information on replacing other lost documents, like Medicaid or Medicare cards, passports, or vehicle titles, refer to “How to Replace Lost Documents” on the Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center website.