If it is safe for you to do so, gather as many of these items as possible. If you are thinking about leaving in the future, and if it is safe for you to do so, start gathering these things and putting them someplace where you can get to them easily and quickly.

• Driver’s License, car title, and registration
• Your children’s birth certificates
• Your birth and marriage certificates
• Your divorce papers or other court papers
• Social security cards
• School records
• Passports and Green Cards
• Money, credit cards, ATM card
• A copy of your protection order, if you have one
• Lease, rental agreement, or house deed
• Checkbooks and bank books
• Insurance papers
• Keys (house, car, office, safe deposit box)
• Medications
• Welfare identification
• Emergency bag with food and clothing
• Your valuable jewelry
• Children’s special toys and blankets
• Pets (call ahead for arrangements)
• Small items belonging to you that you can sell, if necessary