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Evidence Checklist & Log

By CampusDown Legal Editorial Team Reviewed 2 min read

Best for
Tenants · Consumers · People preparing for small claims
When to use
From the first day of a problem, so nothing gets lost if it turns into a dispute.
On this page
  1. How to use this checklist
  2. What's inside
  3. Tips for useful evidence
Not a court form. Not legal advice. This is a general organizer for your records. Courts and agencies have their own rules about what evidence they accept and how to submit it.
Preview of the first page of the Evidence Checklist & Log

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Not a court form. Not legal advice. A general worksheet to help you organize and write; check your court or a legal aid office before filing anything.

No sign-up or email needed. Free for personal and business use; please don't resell the file itself.

How to use this checklist

  1. Start on the first day of the problem. It is much easier to save things as they happen than to find them later.
  2. Use the checklist page to see what kinds of records to collect: photos, receipts, contracts, messages, notes of calls, and official papers.
  3. Log each item on its own row: date, what it is, where the original is kept, and what it shows.
  4. Keep a simple timeline of events in date order, including who you spoke with.
  5. Store originals safely and work from copies. Back up digital files in a second place.

What's inside

  • Checklist of common evidence types for housing, consumer and small claims disputes
  • Evidence log: item number, date, description, type, where stored, what it shows
  • Timeline page: date, event, people involved, follow-up
  • Excel version with the log and timeline as sortable sheets

Tips for useful evidence

  • Photos and videos are more useful when the date is clear and they show both a close-up and the wider area.
  • Save messages in full, including the date and sender, rather than cropped screenshots only.
  • Write notes of phone calls right after they happen: date, time, who you spoke with, and what was said.

Next, see how to find official court forms or how to write a consumer complaint letter.

Your Next Helpful Step

GuideHow to Find Official Court FormsWhere real court forms live, and how to avoid paid look-alikes.GuideHow to Write a Consumer Complaint LetterFacts, dates, the fix you want, and where to escalate.Free documentRepair Request Letter WorksheetFill-in letter to ask your landlord for repairs. Word + PDF.
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