The recommended document retention period ranges from 6 months to 6 years. However, some documents should be kept for as long as the related goods are owned or for the lifetime of the holder.
The following documents should be kept for
6 months:
Household appliance repair invoices
Motor vehicle and motorcycle repair invoices
3 years:
Cell phone bills
Telephone bills
Bills for Internet services
Bills for cable or satellite television services
Rent receipts
Municipal, school and water tax receipts
Electricity, gas and fuel bills
Healthcare invoices and professional honoraria
6 years:
Accounting records or statements
Deeds of sale (house or land)
Income tax returns and supporting documents
Release of mortgage documents
Pay stubs
Employment Insurance stubs
For as long as a good is owned:
Leases
Purchase contracts for vehicles and motorcycles
Invoices and warranty certificates for electrical and audio devices
Invoices and warranty certificates for household appliances
Invoices and warranties for big-ticket items
Invoices and statements for goods paid for with a credit card
Life insurance policies, fire and theft insurance policies, liability insurance policies (for the term of the policies or until a compensation claim has been settled)
Certificates for term deposits, registered retirement savings plans, investments or savings bonds
For life:
Purchase contracts for homes or land
Legal separation or divorce judgments
Marriage, civil union or de facto union contracts
Degrees, diplomas and certificates
Wills
Deeds of gifts
Health booklets
Birth certificate
Death certificates for family members
At the end of the retention period, certain documents can be kept in one’s personal files. Documents to be destroyed should be shred rather than thrown away so as to protect any personal information they may contain.
Last update:
May 7, 2025
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