Short answer: Keep more than one copy of important records, but balance redundancy with privacy. A useful backup plan protects against phone loss, computer failure, accidental deletion, and loss of access to an online account.
This page provides general information and organization guidance only. It does not decide whether evidence is legally sufficient, tell you what to file, or replace advice from a licensed immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative.
Use at least two separate locations
For example, you might keep one encrypted local copy and one secure cloud backup, or one computer copy and one encrypted external drive. The two copies should not both depend on the same device or account.
Choose services you understand and control. Use a strong unique password and multi-factor authentication where available. Avoid public computers and shared family folders for highly sensitive immigration records.
Back up the index too
A folder of files is much easier to recover if you also keep a basic index listing file name, date, source, and topic. Back up that index with the evidence.
Periodically open a sample of backup files to confirm they are readable. A backup that cannot be opened when needed is not useful.
Protect people named in the records
Evidence may contain addresses, phone numbers, medical information, witness identities, or information about people abroad. Do not create unnecessary copies on many devices or send large evidence folders through unsecured public links.
US Asylum Help's Evidence Toolkit can help organize records locally, but it does not decide what evidence belongs in a filing. For submission, follow the current USCIS or EOIR instructions.
A practical way to organize this
Use a simple evidence index with columns for date, source, file name, short description, language/translation status, and where the original is stored. Keep uncertain information marked as uncertain. Do not change an original document to make it fit a timeline or another record.
If you are preparing for an attorney meeting, bring the index and the records you already have. You can also use the free Evidence Toolkit to organize a timeline, evidence inventory, missing-evidence list, witness list, and attorney questions.
Check current sources before filing
Agency rules can change, and the rules for USCIS, Immigration Court, and the Board of Immigration Appeals are not identical. Verify the current source that applies to the forum handling the case.
- USCIS: Form I-589 and current instructions
- EOIR Policy Manual: Documents
- Immigration Justice Campaign: Asylum application and supporting evidence
For case-specific questions about relevance, disclosure, authentication, safety, deadlines, or how a document should be presented, use the Legal Help Center or speak with a qualified immigration representative.