Using copies wherever possible is good--it helps preserve the originals, which will otherwise fall apart, decompose, and return to original, randomly-dispersed molecules. But you need to carry originals as well, because sooner or later someone will not accept your color photocopies, since they lack all sorts of sophisticated anti-copying features. Stuff the originals in a ziplock bag or two and bury them deep in your baggage.
Instead of laminating, I take both originals and copies of all documents except my passport and paint them with Mapseal, which is a transparent, water-based coating. It dries quickly and makes paper documents reasonably waterproof and indestructible. Since I still use paper maps, I coat them as well--a map takes five or ten minutes, while a bike registration takes all of 15 seconds per side. Beware of water-soluble ink if you go this route.
Hope that's helpful.
Mark
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