Replacing your documents and records

If important personal documents are lost or damaged you’ll need to contact a range of organisations to get replacements.

Banking

• Banking documents and debit and credit cards – contact your bank or building society

Benefits

• Universal Credit – contact online via your account, or call 0800 328 5644
• Jobcentre Plus – contact your local office for help with Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, or Employment and Support Allowance

Driving and vehicle documents

• Driving licence – apply online
• V5 / vehicle registration certificate - apply online
• Vehicle insurance policy – contact your insurance company for a copy

Identity documents

• Birth, marriage or death certificate – order online
• Divorce papers - contact the court where the decree was issued using the Court finder tool, or use a Decree Absolute service.

Income tax

• Income tax records - contact the HMRC office where you filed your accounts or your accountant

Medical

• Medical cards - contact your GP surgery

Pension documents

• State pensions – contact the Pension Service
• Company pension – contact your employer

Property deeds or titles

• Property titles or deeds – contact HM Land Registry

Travel documents

• UK Passport - replace a lost, stolen, or damaged passport
• For foreign nationals:
  • Passport – contact your embassy in the UK
  • Visa and residency documents – contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
  • Application Registration Card (ARC)

Wills

• Contact your solicitor for a copy. Or you may find it easier to write a new will, possibly through a free will-writing service.