Organization
Besides record storage, scanning and shredding. The File Depot can assist you with many other document and records management related services.
Storage
See how we can save your organization money, free up your employees for more productive work, and allow you to have peace of mind knowing your record assets are well cared for.
Digitization
Many of our clients use both our digital Imaging services as well as our records storage services. We offer complete imaging, storage and online or offline access to your documents.
Shredding
We have been storing and shredding sensitive, proprietary and private information for over 20 years. Let us put our secure containers, processes and personnel to work for you.
QUICK QUOTE
Quick Quote
Get a quick quote now and start organizing the future of your business
Records Retention: How Long is Long Enough?
Knowing what documents to shred and what documents to keep can be a very confusing issue for many people. Listed below is a guide to help provide you with the information you need to keep you and your identity safe.
Stored Forever
- Academic records (diplomas, transcripts and any portfolio work that may be used in the future when applying for a job)
- Adoption papers
- Baptismal certificates
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates (may be needed for tax purposes)
- Employment records (any clauses, agreements, disciplinary files and performance reviews)
- Marriage certificates
- Medical records
- Military records
- All active identification (military ID, drivers licenses, passports)
- Retirement and pension records
- Real estate ownership paperwork, to include any active ownership of natural resource rights
- Social Security cards
- Wills, estate plans
Store Until Obsolete
- Bank statements (1 month)
- Bills:
- 1 year for anything tax or warranty related
- All other bills should be destroyed as soon as they have been paid
- Credit card bills (as soon as they have been paid)
- Home improvement receipts (keep until home is sold)
- Investment records (7 years after you’ve closed the account or sold the security—typically with tax records)
- Leases (until you’ve moved out and you’ve received your security deposit)
- Paychecks/Paystubs (1 year after receiving your W-2 for that year)
- Sales receipts:
- Major purchases: keep for the life of the warranty
- Other purchases: keep until no longer rationally necessary—typically one month
- Tax documents (7 years—includes all filing and accompanying documents)
Shred vs Toss?
Tossing documents into a recycling bin is an unsafe practice if the documents you are throwing out have the following information:
- Account numbers
- Birth dates
- Maiden names
- Passwords and/or PIN
- Signatures
- Social Security numbers
If any of your documents contain any one of these listed, your best path is to shred them. The File Depot of Milwaukee is a secure records center that specialized in the confidential organization, storage, digitization and destruction of personal and business records.
Call us at 262.977.7410 to receive a complimentary records management consultation and allow us to help you keep your identity intact!
