HELPING TEXANS FIND COPIES OF LOST RECORDS FOR DISASTER RECOVERY

AUSTIN, Texas – Recovering from a disaster can be a daunting experience, and it can be even more overwhelming when you have lost important records needed for your disaster recovery.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Governor’s Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) offer the following contact information for Texans who have to replace important documents that may be required for identification purposes or to show proof of occupancy, such as birth certificates, social security cards, drivers’ licenses, state-issued identification cards, tax bills, deeds, mortgage payment receipts, insurance policies, or utility bills.

• Texas birth certificate: call the Texas Department of State Health Services – Vital Statistics unit at 888-963-7111, extension 5625, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT, or visit www.dshs.state.tx.us for more information.
  
  
• Social Security card: call the U.S. Social Security office at 800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CDT, or visit www.socialsecurity.gov for more information.
  
  
• Drivers’ license and/or state-issued identification card: visit your nearest Texas Driver License Office, call the Texas Department of Public Safety Customer Service Bureau at 512-424-2600, Monday through Friday, except national holidays, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT, or visit www.txdps.state.tx.us.
  
  
• Federal tax records: call toll-free 800-829-1040, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, or visit www.irs.gov.
  
  
• Local tax records: call the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, at 877-662-8375, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT, or visit www.window.state.tx.us.

You also can call your local utility company, financial institution or insurance provider and speak with the customer service unit for copies of your most recent records. The utility company should have your most recent utility bill; your bank, credit union, or savings and loan should provide you with copies of your bank statements, loan applications, and mortgage payment receipts; and your insurance company should have your insurance policies, recent billing statements, and cash-value statements.

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FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.