A blank resource to use privately

Family emergency binder: browser and text template

Read the template below, then copy it into your own private note or download the text file. Fill in your copy, with the people involved.

Download the blank template (.txt)Print version (PDF)

No signup. There are no fields to fill in or submit on this page.

Copy the blank fields into a private note to complete them. The ten numbered sections follow the ten pages of the printable PDF. Leave irrelevant sections blank.

A pet-care helper may need the household page without the health or financial pages. Treat home-access details with extra care.

The binder does not replace a will, advance directive, or power of attorney, or grant account access. Ask the relevant professional or institution about requirements.

1. Family emergency binder

A printable guide to who to call and where to find important information.

Protect private information

Use this binder to record who to contact and where to find important information. Keep passwords, PINs, security answers, recovery codes, device-unlock codes, Social Security numbers, and full account, card, or policy numbers out of this shared index. Store detailed records separately. A completed binder may still contain sensitive health information, family contacts, and home-access details. Store it securely and share it only with people who need it. Financial institutions may require proof of identity, authority, and other documents before providing information or access.

How to use this binder

Fill in only the details that would help your family act.
Point to secure records instead of copying sensitive details here.
Tell the people you choose where the binder is and how they can obtain access.
Review it after major changes and at a regular interval that works for you.

Your binder

Prepared for: [blank]
Last reviewed: [blank]
Where the completed binder is stored: [blank]
Who knows how to obtain it: [blank]

2. Who to call first

Start with urgent help, then contact the people who know your family.

Emergency services come first

In the U.S., call 911 first if someone needs immediate police, fire, or medical help. Once emergency help is underway, use these personal contacts. Outside the U.S., use the local emergency number.

Privacy reminder: include only details these people have agreed to share. Do not record passwords, PINs, or security answers.

Primary family contact

Name and relationship: [blank]
Phone: [blank]
What this person can help with: [blank]

Backup family contact

Name and relationship: [blank]
Phone: [blank]
What this person can help with: [blank]

Nearby trusted person

Name and relationship: [blank]
Phone: [blank]
What this person can help with: [blank]

Person who can help with home access

Name and relationship: [blank]
Phone: [blank]
What this person can help with: [blank]

3. People who matter

List the people your family may need to reach and why.

Family, friends, and dependants

Person 1 of 6

Name: [blank]
Relationship: [blank]
Phone or email: [blank]
Notes: [blank]

Person 2 of 6

Name: [blank]
Relationship: [blank]
Phone or email: [blank]
Notes: [blank]

Person 3 of 6

Name: [blank]
Relationship: [blank]
Phone or email: [blank]
Notes: [blank]

Person 4 of 6

Name: [blank]
Relationship: [blank]
Phone or email: [blank]
Notes: [blank]

Person 5 of 6

Name: [blank]
Relationship: [blank]
Phone or email: [blank]
Notes: [blank]

Person 6 of 6

Name: [blank]
Relationship: [blank]
Phone or email: [blank]
Notes: [blank]

Professional contacts

Professional contact 1 of 4

Role: [blank]
Name or organization: [blank]
Phone or email: [blank]
What they handle: [blank]

Professional contact 2 of 4

Role: [blank]
Name or organization: [blank]
Phone or email: [blank]
What they handle: [blank]

Professional contact 3 of 4

Role: [blank]
Name or organization: [blank]
Phone or email: [blank]
What they handle: [blank]

Professional contact 4 of 4

Role: [blank]
Name or organization: [blank]
Phone or email: [blank]
What they handle: [blank]

People who depend on me

Children, older relatives, pets, or others who rely on me: [blank]

4. Important documents

Record where documents are kept and who can help locate them.

Use locations, not sensitive numbers

Do not copy full financial, identity, card, policy, or account numbers into this binder. Describe the secure location instead.

Document map

Document or record 1 of 7

Document or record: [blank]
Where it is kept: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

Document or record 2 of 7

Document or record: [blank]
Where it is kept: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

Document or record 3 of 7

Document or record: [blank]
Where it is kept: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

Document or record 4 of 7

Document or record: [blank]
Where it is kept: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

Document or record 5 of 7

Document or record: [blank]
Where it is kept: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

Document or record 6 of 7

Document or record: [blank]
Where it is kept: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

Document or record 7 of 7

Document or record: [blank]
Where it is kept: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

Useful categories

Identity and civil records
Insurance documents
Property and vehicle records
Will, trust, power of attorney, and advance directive
Tax and employment records
Secure financial records

Authorized access

Special instructions for obtaining authorized access: [blank]

5. Financial and digital map

Name the institutions and services. Keep credentials and full numbers elsewhere.

Financial institutions and advisers

Institution or adviser 1 of 5

Institution or adviser: [blank]
Purpose: [blank]
How to contact: [blank]
Where records are kept: [blank]

Institution or adviser 2 of 5

Institution or adviser: [blank]
Purpose: [blank]
How to contact: [blank]
Where records are kept: [blank]

Institution or adviser 3 of 5

Institution or adviser: [blank]
Purpose: [blank]
How to contact: [blank]
Where records are kept: [blank]

Institution or adviser 4 of 5

Institution or adviser: [blank]
Purpose: [blank]
How to contact: [blank]
Where records are kept: [blank]

Institution or adviser 5 of 5

Institution or adviser: [blank]
Purpose: [blank]
How to contact: [blank]
Where records are kept: [blank]

Power of attorney

If someone may need to use a power of attorney, ask each financial institution in advance what it will accept and what identification or forms it may require.

Digital services

Digital service 1 of 4

Service or category: [blank]
Why it matters: [blank]
Authorized person who can help: [blank]

Digital service 2 of 4

Service or category: [blank]
Why it matters: [blank]
Authorized person who can help: [blank]

Digital service 3 of 4

Service or category: [blank]
Why it matters: [blank]
Authorized person who can help: [blank]

Digital service 4 of 4

Service or category: [blank]
Why it matters: [blank]
Authorized person who can help: [blank]

Never record passwords, PINs, security answers, recovery codes, or device-unlock codes here.

6. Home and property

Help your family reach the right person without exposing unnecessary access details.

Home contacts

Landlord, building manager, or neighbour: [blank]
Utility provider contacts: [blank]
Repair or maintenance contact: [blank]
Person who can help authorized family members enter the home: [blank]

Household help

Who can help authorized family members connect to Wi-Fi: [blank]
Pet care contact and routine: [blank]
Vehicle or transport contact: [blank]
Other practical help: [blank]

Property and household notes

Item or responsibility 1 of 5

Item or responsibility: [blank]
Where to find information: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

Item or responsibility 2 of 5

Item or responsibility: [blank]
Where to find information: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

Item or responsibility 3 of 5

Item or responsibility: [blank]
Where to find information: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

Item or responsibility 4 of 5

Item or responsibility: [blank]
Where to find information: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

Item or responsibility 5 of 5

Item or responsibility: [blank]
Where to find information: [blank]
Who can help: [blank]

7. Health information

Share only what would help in an emergency or support ongoing care.

This page can be sensitive

Protect completed copies. Keep detailed medical records in their usual secure location and record only what your chosen people need to know.

Do not use this page to change prescribed treatment.

Primary doctor or clinic: [blank]
Pharmacy: [blank]
Health insurance contact: [blank]
Emergency health contact: [blank]
Last reviewed: [blank]
Allergies or critical conditions: [blank]
Current medicines that may matter: [blank]
Where detailed health records are kept: [blank]

Care notes

Care notes: [blank]

8. Wishes and preferences

Give your family useful context while keeping formal legal documents separate.

This page is not a legal document

Use this page to explain your preferences. It is not intended to replace a will, trust, advance directive, or other legal document. Ask an attorney which documents and formalities apply where you live.

People I want involved in important decisions: [blank]
Care, memorial, cultural, or religious preferences: [blank]
People, places, possessions, or routines that matter to me: [blank]
Where my formal legal documents are kept and who can help locate them: [blank]

9. A personal note

Leave the context that forms and lists cannot carry.

Write a note in your own words. You might explain what matters most, where to begin, or whom you trust to help.

A personal note: [blank]

Review log

Review 1 of 5

Date reviewed: [blank]
What changed: [blank]
Reviewed with: [blank]

Review 2 of 5

Date reviewed: [blank]
What changed: [blank]
Reviewed with: [blank]

Review 3 of 5

Date reviewed: [blank]
What changed: [blank]
Reviewed with: [blank]

Review 4 of 5

Date reviewed: [blank]
What changed: [blank]
Reviewed with: [blank]

Review 5 of 5

Date reviewed: [blank]
What changed: [blank]
Reviewed with: [blank]

10. About this template

A practical starting point for a clearer family file.

What it is

This free printable template helps you organize contacts, document locations, household information, health notes, and personal wishes. Choose what to include, keep completed copies protected, and review them after important changes and at a regular interval that works for you.

When this edition was prepared on October 2, 2026, DearFile was being finished and tested before launch. A Free plan was planned for the initial launch. You do not need a DearFile account to use this template.

Visit DearFile.com for current availability.

Launch notification

If DearFile is still preparing to launch, you can choose to join the launch-notification list at DearFile.com. Joining is optional.

The blank template is free to print, copy, and share.
Share completed copies only with the people you choose.
Keep completed paper copies in protected locations.
Keep separate copies in secure places when that suits your family.

General information only

This template is for organization and general information. It is not legal, financial, medical, or emergency advice. Requirements vary. Ask a qualified professional about your situation.

My next review date: [blank]

Learn more and download a fresh blank copy at DearFile.com

DearFile.com | Free printable template

Guide and source links

Return to the guide and worked example