Is it safe to discard original documents after scanning?

For most documents, yes. Keep original birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, Social Security cards, property deeds, and vehicle titles. Tax records, medical records, manuals, and receipts are safe to discard after verified digital backup.

How should I organize scanned documents?

Create a folder structure by category: Financial, Medical, Home, Auto, Personal, Legal. Name files with dates: '2025-03-Tax-Return.pdf.' Store in cloud storage with an offline backup. Use the scanner's OCR to make PDFs searchable.

Best Tech for Downsizing and Decluttering