What happens to my documents?
Your faxes often contain sensitive information, so it matters what FaxTerra keeps and for how long. Here is exactly how your documents are handled.
Last updated: July 2026
How long documents are kept
Your documents are not kept forever. How long depends on your plan:
- Faxes you send are kept for 30 days on the free tier and Starter, then removed. Business and Pro can keep them longer — up to 1 year or never removed — a setting you control.
- Faxes you receive stay in your inbox for 90 days on the free tier and Starter, and 1 year on Business and Pro, then are removed.
What always stays
Even after a sent document is removed, the record of the fax stays with your account — who you sent it to, whether it was delivered, and the time — along with your downloadable delivery confirmation. So you keep proof you sent it even after the document itself is gone.
How your documents are protected
Your documents are encrypted while they travel between you and FaxTerra and while they are stored, so they are not readable in transit or at rest. Payments are handled by our payment provider, Stripe, and your card details never touch FaxTerra. For more, see our security overview and privacy policy.
Deleting a fax yourself
You do not have to wait for the automatic removal. From your Sent list you can delete a fax yourself: expand it and choose Delete. That permanently removes the document from FaxTerra, though the record that you sent it — and the recipient's own copy of the fax they already received — remain. A fax that is still being sent cannot be deleted until it finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does FaxTerra keep my faxes?
Sent documents are kept 30 days on the free tier and Starter (Business and Pro can extend this up to 1 year or turn off removal). Received faxes stay in your inbox 90 days on free and Starter, and 1 year on Business and Pro.
Are my documents encrypted?
Yes. Your documents are encrypted while they travel to and from FaxTerra and while they are stored, so they are not readable in transit or at rest.
Can I delete a fax myself?
Yes. From your Sent list, expand a fax and choose Delete. It permanently removes the document; the record that you sent it and the recipient's copy remain. A fax still in progress can be deleted once it finishes.
Is my credit card information safe?
Yes. Payments are handled by Stripe, and your card details never touch FaxTerra's own systems.