Free printable
Emergency Binder Cover Page
By Jason Su · Updated September 18, 2026
An emergency binder is only useful if a stranger can pick it up and understand it in ten seconds. This cover page does that job: it says what the binder is, who to call first, and where the rest of your information lives. Print it, fill in four lines, and slide it into the front of the binder.
What this page is for
Most families do not need a perfect filing system. They need one place that holds the basics, labelled clearly enough that a neighbour, a paramedic, or an adult child can find what matters without guessing.
This cover page is the signpost. Everything else in your binder sits behind it.
The page
This binder belongs to
Name: ______________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________
Date last updated: __________________________________
In an emergency, call this person first
Name: ______________________________________________
Relationship: _______________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________________
What is inside this binder
- Important documents and where the originals are kept
- Money and insurance details
- Medical wishes and who speaks for me
- Online accounts and where the passwords are stored
- Subscriptions and regular bills
- Pets and their care
- People to notify
Where the originals are kept
Home safe: _________________________________________
Safe deposit box (bank and branch): _______________
Password manager and emergency contact: ________
How to fill it in
- Print it on plain paper. It is designed for US Letter and prints in black and white just as well as colour.
- Write the “call first” name in pen. This is the single most useful line on the page.
- Tick only the sections that exist in your binder. A short accurate list beats a long wrong one.
- Never write passwords here. Note where your passwords are stored, not the passwords themselves.
Frequently asked
What if I do not have all of these sections yet?
Print it anyway and tick what you have. The untidy boxes are a to-do list, and they are easier to fill in once the binder physically exists.
Should I laminate it?
No. You will want to update the “date last updated” line as things change. A clear plastic sleeve works better.
Does this replace a will or an advance directive?
No. This is an index, not a legal document. It points to your state’s advance directive form and tells your family where your signed papers are kept.
Next step
Print the Master Checklist next, and use it to work out which sections your binder still needs. Then write down where the binder lives so your trusted contact can find it — the free Checklist Builder will produce that page in about five minutes.
This is general information, not legal or medical advice. Rules vary by state and change over time — please confirm details with the official sources we link and talk with a licensed professional about your situation.