175 Home File Organization Categories for Filing Papers

Do you feel like you’re constantly drowning in paperwork and wish you had an effective system for home file organization categories? You’re not alone, which is why I’ve created this master list of home filing categories and subcategories, plus helpful tips and resources to help you reduce clutter and keep important files and documents in one place.

One of the most popular questions I get related to paper clutter is, “What home file organization categories do you use?”

It’s one thing to designate a drawer for all of your important home paperwork and buy the cute file folders and label maker, but when it comes time to actually label those folders, people get stuck.

So, I decided to write out a huge list of categories for organizing home files so you can get an idea of how to separate and file your papers in a home filing cabinet or binder.

And if you’d like a step-by-step process for reducing paper clutter and organizing all of your family’s important paperwork, hop on over to my post on how to Organize Paperwork: How to Setup a Filing System for Family Papers!

How to Use these Filing Categories for Home Organization

Determining what home file organization categories you’ll use is just the first step in organizing your household papers! Here are some other tips for how to put this huge list of home file categories and subcategories to good use to get your files organized:

• Create main categories first – Start by dividing your files into broad categories like Personal Information, Medical Documents, Financial Records, etc.
• Subdivide categories – Within each main category, further divide files into subcategories. For instance, under Financial Documents, you could have sections for Bank Statements, Credit Card Statements, and Investment Records.
• Be clear – Use category names that are easy to understand, so there’s no question as to what is in each folder.
• Color-code or use different fonts for different categories – You can color code your categories by using all of the same color hanging file folders for each, or use different colored labels for the file folders. Or when printing your file folder labels, use a different larger font or all caps to label the main category and a smaller font for all of the subcategories.
• Use a label maker – A label maker keeps your file folders looking neat and organized, versus handwriting the category names on the files. My favorite label maker is less than $30, and includes 3 different font styles.
• Keep your home filing system updated – Regularly review and update your filing system so that each new category has a folder and to get rid of files that you no longer need to keep.

The 12 Most Common Household Filing Categories

These are the most-used home filing system categories for any household. You’re certainly not going to have all of the documents in each section, but this is how I would group them:

1. Official Personal Documents

Your official documents filing folders typically include any documents, certificates, or cards that are issued by a government agency. These can include things like:

• birth certificates
• marriage certificate
• passports
• voter ID cards
• copies of driver’s licenses – I keep a photocopy of our driver’s licenses in this folder, since I sometimes need to scan and email a copy for insurance, doctor’s visits, etc.
• social security cards
• adoption documents
• death certificate
• divorce papers
• child custody agreements
• military records

2. Financial Documents

You can either keep all financial documents in these categories for organizing home files in one folder or separate them by subcategory. These include:

• bank account paperwork
• bank statements
• stock documents
• pay stubs
• credit card statements
• retirement account statements and information
• other investment accounts
• pension plan documents
• social security statements
• home loan documents
• car loan documents
• other bank loan documents
• childcare receipts
• contributions to college savings plans

3. Medical Documents

I like to keep all of our family’s medical records and documents together so that I don’t have to search for them when the school needs copies, someone needs new contacts, etc.

Here are some common medical documents that you may need to file away in your household filing system:

• immunization records
• health insurance information
• family health history
• prescription records
• authorization to release medical records
• medical information – per family member
• doctor visit summaries
• healthcare proxy paperwork
• doctors’ contact information
• current eyeglasses/contact prescriptions
• healthcare directives – living wills, healthcare power of attorney, DNR orders, medical treatment preferences – Or these can also be stored in an “End of Life” or “In Case of Death” folder.

4. Tax Documents

I like to keep my actual paper tax returns with the receipts/W-2/documentation that goes with each return. Other tax documents include:

• W-2s
• 1099s
• copy of tax returns
• registered or certified receipt of payment
• If filed electronically, a printed email showing your return was accepted
• home improvement invoices, receipts, and proof of payment (for energy efficient tax credits)
• annual mortgage statement
• receipts for any deductible expenses
• donation or charitable giving records
• property tax statements
• any correspondence with the IRS

* Tax Returns – I keep my tax returns for 7 years. Each year has a separate labeled folder containing the necessary receipts/statements, like “2023 Tax Return”.

5. Home Documents

Any paperwork or documents related to your home should go into these home filing categories and subcategories. These can include:

• home maintenance records – Go HERE to see how to put together a Home Maintenance Binder and why you need one!
• home warranty documentation
• other warranties
• home inventory
• appliance user manuals
• service contracts
• contact info for home service providers
• receipts for legal expenses, including title search, sales contract, deed, etc.
• closing documents
• alarm company info

6. Insurance Documents

You can either make a separate folder for each of these home filing system categories or keep all of the insurance documents in one folder. I personally like making separate folders so I can easily file policies, agent cards, claim receipts, etc.

Here are the possible subcategories:

• home insurance
• auto insurance
• life insurance
• pet insurance
• disability insurance
• umbrella insurance
• RV insurance
• renter’s insurance
• boat insurance

*Visit this post for FREE printable file folder label templates that you can customize! The folder labels are pre-filled with the home filing categories from this post!

7. Vehicle Documents

Separate from the insurance category, I also have an auto folder where I keep anything related to repair and maintenance, the title, and more. It includes:

• registration paperwork
• vehicle titles
• lease paperwork
• vehicle purchase agreements
• bill of sale
• claims
• vehicle service schedule
• car maintenance log
• repair and service receipts
• emissions test records
• vehicle inspection certificates
• auto warranty documents

8. Pets

If you’re a pet owner, you know how important it is to keep documentation for each of your fur (or feather) babies. These include:

• proof of ownership
• paperwork from breeder
• AKC registration paperwork (if applicable)
• latest vaccine records
• rabies certificate
• microchip information
• pet adoption paperwork
• pet insurance policies
• license from the state/county
• photographs

9. In Case of Death Documents

No one likes to think about what would happen if they lost their home or a loved one, but it’s much better to be prepared for any situation.

You can find more detailed information about these documents in my post for Emergency Binders… If you don’t have your own “In Case of Death” binder, then I HIGHLY recommend that you check out that post! And I’ve even created an epic 110 page fillable PDF document that you can use to organize all of your information for loved ones!

• personal information for immediate family members and pets
• wills and trusts
• power of attorney
• beneficiary info
• insurance information forms
• list of emergency contacts
• household expenses documents
• usernames and passwords for online accounts
• financial accounts information
• final preparations instructions
• funeral arrangements

10. Sentimental Documents or Keepsakes

If you have children, you probably also have several mementos from their childhood that you can’t bring yourself to throw away. These can include:

• concert ticket stubs
• special papers
• photos
• postcards or greeting cards
• letters/cards
• sonogram photos
• newborn footprints
• artwork from preschool or elementary school
• kids’ test scores
• kids’ Honor Roll certificates, report cards, or other special achievements

Note: If you have more than one child, you can also group all of their sentimental papers into individual folders. I have done this for each of our children, and it makes me feel much more organized!

*If you want to create a School Memory Box or Binder for each of your kids to store their important school papers, then check out this post for some free printables to use: Make a School Memory Box or Binder with Free Printables

11. Professional and Work-Related Documents

Separate from personal documents, I have a folder for all work and education documents. These include:

• copy of resumé
• letters of recommendation
• copies of cover letters
• certification documents for trainings you’ve completed
• college transcripts
• diplomas
• employment contracts
• performance reviews
• professional licenses
• career development resources

12. Documents for Assets

Any paperwork related to your assets should be filed into a separate folder. These could include:

• certificates of authenticity for artwork
• titles
• copies of appraisals for valuables
• insurance documentation for valuables
• USB drive with photos or videos of valuable items
• list of financial accounts and beneficiaries
• property deeds
• receipts for valuable items
• home inventory list

Other Home File Organization Categories

In addition to the most common home filing categories and subcategories, I thought it would be beneficial to include a few more specialized ones as well.

This list of home file organization categories and subcategories is great if you find that you have a lot of paperwork in one of the subcategories listed above, and you want to separate that into its own category. Here are some examples:

Medical Expenses

• medical bills
• Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) records and receipts
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) records and receipts
• prescription receipts
• receipts for travel to medical/doctor visits
• any other medical expenses that could be deductible

Monthly Bills

Once I’ve paid our bills for the month, I file them into the monthly bills folder. This folder can include monthly invoices or statements for things like:

• utilities (electricity, water, trash, etc.)
• rent or mortgage statements
• subscription services
• student loan
• cell phone bills
• internet and cable bills
• credit card statements
• child care receipts
• retirement contributions
• debt payments
• medical bills
• streaming services
• car insurance
• savings contributions

Retirement

Even if you’re years away from retirement, it’s still wise to have a folder where you keep these documents. These include:

• 401(k) annual statements
• IRA statements
• Roth IRA statements
• pension paperwork
• beneficiary designation forms
• investment paperwork
• retirement savings plan documents
• retirement income projections
• social security statements

Financial Planning

If you work with a financial planner or advisor, then it’s wise to keep all of your planning documents together in one place. These include things like:

• financial goals worksheet
• retirement planning calculator
• investment strategy documents
• financial advisor contracts
• financial advisor correspondence

Education-Related Documents

Depending on how many education and school-related documents that you have to keep, you may want to create a separate file for all of your education paperwork like:

• school transcripts
• diplomas and certificates
• student loan documents
• education-related receipts
• letters of recommendation from teachers
• education savings documents – like 529 plan statements, contribution records, etc.

Real Estate

If you own real estate other than your primary residence, then you may consider having a dedicated Real Estate folder in your home filing system. Here are some items that could be included in this filing category:

• property deeds
• mortgage documents
• home owner’s association documents
• home inspection reports
• surveys
• home renovation documents – like permits and approvals, contractor agreements, renovation plans, etc.

To-Do Folder

I always like to have a folder for bills I need to pay and any documents that need to be filed away. When I have time, I complete those tasks and start again. These include:

• upcoming bills that need to be paid
• paperwork to file
• documents to scan or file
• receipts or other paperwork that you may need in the next week or two

Self-Employment and Home Business Documents

If you have a side hustle or own your own business, you know how important it is to keep everything well-documented! Here are several items you should always keep:

• business licenses
• receipts for tax deductions
• sales slips
• deposit slips
• canceled checks
• invoices
• paid bills
• 1099 forms
• business credit card statements
• cash register tapes
• account statements
• client contracts
• home office deduction documentation

Free Printable List of Home File Organization Categories

Want a list of these home filing categories and subcategories to reference when you’re creating your file folders? You can click the link below to print a list of the file folder categories to use for your home office! Then, reference the list as you’re labeling and organizing your home paperwork folders to get ideas!

More Home Organization Resources!

Free Checklist of Important Papers You Need to Keep

Get a jump-start on organizing important papers and documents with this free printable checklist of important papers to keep! This is an excellent resource to ensure that essential paperwork is safely filed and accessible.

How to Organize Computer Files

Is your laptop or home computer a mess of unopened emails, downloaded files with nowhere to go, and generally a cluttered mess? Use these helpful tips to organize your computer files and folders so that both you and your laptop have a bit more storage space.

Make a School Memory Box or Binder with Free Printables

Keep all of your child’s most precious memories organized and in one place by creating a school memories box for them! The free printables take the prep work out of this fun DIY project, and you get a kid’s school keepsake box in the bargain!