How Long Should I Keep Corporate Records?

Corporate records includes general information related to the formation, administration and overarching strategy of the company. Some of these documents may overlap with categories found in the other sections within this guide.

Suggested Retention Duration for Select Corporate Records

Document Type	Suggested Minimum Retention
Accident reports and claims	7 years after settlement or resolution
Affirmative Action Plan	1 year after plan expiration
Bylaws and Corporate Charter	Permanently
Organizational/administrative charts	Permanently
Contracts	7 years after expiration
Copyright, trademark and patent registrations	Permanently
Administrative Correspondence*	3 years
*(Important memos, emails and other correspondence regarding strategy, services, programs, policies, procedures, planning and other such materials)
General/Routine Correspondence	1 year
Legal Correspondence	Permanently
Customer and vendor correspondence	2 years
Material Safety Data Sheets	Permanently
Patents and related filings	Permanently
Meeting agendas and minutes	Permanently
Purchase Orders	1 year
Inventory Records	7 years
Project files	Permanently
Training manuals	Permanently