If that hasn't happened to you, there are plenty of other reasons why it's prudent to have certified copies of your vital records and those of your family stashed in a safe deposit box or safe.

But don't fret if you don't already have a complete set of birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses or divorce documents. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a handy roadmap in the form of Where to Write for Vital Records (PDF).

The guide includes:

• Up-to-date contact information for the official repositories in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and various U.S. possessions.
• Fees and application requirements.
• Suggestions on how to obtain documents from consulates and foreign countries — even how to track down difficult-to-find pieces of paper, such as official verification that a person has died at sea.