An emergency contact is a person listed to be contacted if someone has an urgent problem, cannot respond, or needs help communicating important information.
Where emergency contacts are used
Emergency contacts may be requested by schools, workplaces, travel forms, medical offices, gyms, events, housing applications, and phone settings.
What makes a good emergency contact
A good emergency contact is reachable, trusted, aware they are listed, and able to help with basic information or decisions if needed. They should usually have current phone and address details.
Emergency contacts are practical safety information, similar to how official documents like a birth certificate or passport help verify identity.