KeeptlyLost the warranty paperwork? You may still be covered
Short answer: often, yes. Under U.S. federal warranty rules, a full warranty cannot be voided just because you never returned the registration card, as long as you can show the date you bought the product in a reasonable way, such as with a receipt.
What the rule says
Under 16 CFR 700.7, a company offering a full warranty may suggest that you mail a registration card as one way to record the purchase date. It may not make coverage depend on that card, and it must tell you that skipping the card won't hurt your rights so long as you can show the purchase date in a reasonable manner. Source
What counts as proof of purchase
- The store receipt or invoice, paper or a photo of it.
- An order confirmation email from an online purchase.
- A card or bank statement that shows the purchase date and store, as supporting evidence.
If you can't find anything
- Ask the store for a copy of the receipt. Many can look it up by card or loyalty account.
- Search your email for the order number or the store's name.
- Write down the product's serial number and when the problem started before you contact support.
This covers federal rules for full warranties. Limited warranties, extended plans and state laws can add their own terms, so check the warranty text for your product.
This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. For your situation, ask a professional.