After the Disaster: Replacing Lost or Damaged Documents
Disasters such as floods and tornadoes commonly result in the loss of important documents, but Texans who lost official and important papers have ways to replace them:
Birth and death certificates:
Phone: 888-963-7111
Website: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/vs/reqproc/default.shtm
Texas Driver License:
Phone: 512-424-2600
Website: https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/replace.htm
Bank Checks, ATM/Debit Cards, or Safe Deposit Boxes:
Phone: 877-275-3342
Website: www.fdic.gov
SNAP Card (Food Stamps):
Phone: 800-777-7328
Website:
https://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/providers/LoneStar/EBT/EBThowto.html
Green Cards:
Phone: 800-375-5283
Website: http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/replace-green-card
Credit Cards: Contact the issuing institution:
- American Express: 800-992-3404
https://online.americanexpress.com/myca/mobl/us/static.do?page=un_lostorstolen
- Discover: 800-347-2683 www.discover.com/credit-cards/help-center/
- Master Card: 800-622-7747 www.mastercard.com/cgi-bin/emergserv.cgi
- Visa: 800-847-2911 www.usa.visa.com
Credit Reports: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion
Phone: 877-322-8228
Website: www.annualcreditreport.com
Social Security Card:
Phone: 800-772-1213
Website: www.ssa.gov
Fraud alerts or a credit freeze:
Phone: 877-438-4338
Website: www.texasfightsidtheft.gov/
Medicare Cards:
Phone: 800-772-1213
Website: www.socialsecurity.gov/medicarecard/
Passport:
Phone: 202-955-0430 or 1-877-487-2778
Website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/lost-stolen.html
U.S. Savings Bonds:
Phone: 800-722-2678 or 800-553-2663
Website: http://www.treasurydirect.gov/
Tax Returns:
Phone: 800-829-1040
Website: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf
Military Records:
Phone: 866-272-6272
Website: www.archives.gov/contact/
Vehicle Titles:
Phone: 888-368-4689
Website: http://txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/get-a-copy-of-your-title
Insurance Documents:
Phone: Check with your own insurance agent
Website: http://insurance.lawyers.com/natural-disasters/replacing-personal-documents-lost-in-a-disaster.html
Real Estate and Property Records (Mortgage Documents, Deeds, etc.):
Phone: Contact your own agent
Website: http://propertydeeds.org/lost-property-deed-replacement-procedure/
Medical and Prescription Records: Call your own doctor; medical and prescription records are tracked electronically.
Replace a Texas Marriage Record or Certificate:
Website: General http://texasmarriagelicense.org/replace-marriage-record.html
Website: Issuing Clerk of Court http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/vs/field/localremotedistrict.shtm
Proof of Address/Residency:
Website: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/Forms/DL-57.pdf
National Archives Records:
Website: General http://www.archives.gov/preservation/records-emergency/public.html
Website: Saving family records http://www.archives.gov/preservation/disaster-response/guidelines.html
NOTE: FEMA does not endorse any specific products or services.
