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How Long Should You Keep Fax Confirmations? (And Why It Matters)

You just sent a fax—great. But what about the confirmation page? Should you delete it? Print it? Save it forever?

In a world where more businesses, legal teams, and healthcare providers rely on faxing for critical documents, knowing how long to keep your fax confirmation can make a big difference.

Let’s break down how fax confirmations work, when you really need to keep them, and how to store them the smart way.

What Is a Fax Confirmation?

A fax confirmation is proof that your document was successfully delivered to the recipient’s fax number. At SendAFaxNow.com, we send this confirmation to your email immediately after the fax is transmitted.

It usually includes:

  • Date and time of the fax
  • Recipient’s fax number
  • Total number of pages sent
  • Delivery status (successful or failed)

Why It Matters

Your fax confirmation may be your only proof that the fax was actually delivered. If the other side says they didn’t receive it—or if something goes wrong—you have the digital receipt.

This is especially important when faxing:

  • Legal documents (contracts, court filings)
  • Medical records or prior authorizations
  • Lease agreements or housing paperwork
  • Time-sensitive forms to government offices

How Long Should You Keep Fax Confirmations?

It depends on the type of document you faxed. Here’s a helpful guideline:

  • Legal or court-related faxes: Keep for at least 3–7 years
  • Medical documents (HIPAA-covered): Keep for 6 years (minimum standard)
  • Rental agreements or tenant paperwork: Keep for the duration of the lease + 1 year
  • Job applications or resumes: Keep for at least 1 year
  • Everything else: Keep for 30–90 days unless needed longer

How to Store Fax Confirmations Safely

If you use SendAFaxNow.com, your confirmation comes by email. Here’s how to keep it secure:

  • Create a folder in your email called “Fax Confirmations”
  • Move them there after every successful send
  • For sensitive faxes, download and store them in a secure cloud drive or encrypted folder

Whatever you do, don’t just delete it right away. You may need it later to prove delivery.

Fax Confirmations vs. Delivery Receipts

Some people confuse fax confirmations with read receipts or email delivery receipts. They’re not the same. A fax confirmation proves the document was received by the other fax machine—it doesn’t mean someone read it, but it does show it arrived.

Conclusion

Fax confirmations are more than just receipts—they’re proof. Depending on what you’re faxing, that proof could save you from legal problems, payment delays, or missed deadlines.

Keep your confirmations safe. And if you haven’t sent your fax yet, you can do it securely and get instant confirmation at SendAFaxNow.com.