For me at least I NEED paperwork. I live in Florida and I have a license to keep/sell snakes here in Florida. (class 3) To pass inspections I must be able to show where I got each and every one of my animals, and that the people I purchased the animal from meet certain standards. So paperwork for me is a must, for other people I'm not sure. If I didn't need it to pass inspection (when or if it happens) I wouldn't ask for it.