Asked by: Hallie Garciriain
automotive road side assistance

Is it legal to not duplicate keys?

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The truth is there's no law regarding “do notduplicatekeys. The engraved message found onmany business keys is not legally binding –it's just a recommendation. Though many chain hardware stores, suchas Ace, may refuse to cut a copy of these keys, alocksmith can easily duplicate them.


In this manner, what are do not duplicate keys?

How to Duplicate a “Do NotDuplicateKey. If you find yourself needing tomake a copy of a “do not duplicatekey that is restricted, your locksmith will likely ask thatyou provide proper documentation allowing you to doso.

Additionally, can you make a copy of a key without the original? You can still acquire a replacement key ifyou have lost the original. An experienced locksmithwill be able to make a replacement key foryou even if you do not have the original. Whenyou contact a locksmith, you will need to supply someinformation to the company before your key can bereplaced.

Also Know, can a locksmith copy any key?

There are only a couple of types of keys that areactually illegal for a locksmith or other key cutterto duplicate: One is the Post Office box key. Theother is any key marked by “US Property”. Eventhose keys marked, “It is unlawful to duplicatethis keycan be copied by alocksmith who has no scruples.

How much does duplicating a key cost?

Typical costs: For $1.25-$2 you can get a basicdoor or car key copied at most local hardware stores. Thecopying is done by a store employee who may or may not havetraining on how to copy keys.

Related Question Answers

Thanh Hlybov

Professional

Can you tell if a key has been copied?

Depending on the factory-original specifics, this mayalso indicate that it is a duplicate key. When a keyis duplicated with a stylus-based key machine a mark is lefton the side of the original key. If a key machine isfound with a suspect, it can be examined to determineif it was used to cut a specific key.

Shaowei Dahmes

Professional

What is a restricted key?

A restricted keyway lock is designed to preventunauthorized duplication of keys. Most of these locksutilize a key that is controlled by a single locksmith andalso requires you to be on a signature card in order to havekeys copied.

Nikte Rebinder

Explainer

Can you copy Schlage keys?

It is not illegal to duplicate a key thatsays "do not duplicate". If you don't wantto go to a store, then you can just buy aSchlage key blank and hand file it using the originalkey. Key duplicators are also legal topurchase, and you could pick one up from eBay (orsomething similar).

Parvez Jaehnke

Explainer

Can you copy mailbox keys?

Keys for these are easily duplicated by alocksmith, or at a local hardware store that uses a quality manualduplicating machine. If they belong to the condominium orhomeowners association, the keys are readily duplicated. Ifthey belong to the U.S.P.S., the keys must beobtained through the Post Office.

Estefani Uyanik

Explainer

Can I duplicate a do not duplicate key?

If you bought the key from a locksmith, you willbe required to go to the same company and ask them for newkeys. Locksmiths will take a very short time to identifysuch keys. Note that once a locksmith comes up with a newkey, from the restricted key, it is possible for youto duplicate it as many times as possible.

Fatah Gatt

Pundit

Can you copy a car key?

You could get a replacement at any hardware storeor locksmith shop and, of course, the car dealership. Basickeys can be copied at any dealership, locksmith orhardware store. Laser-cut, or sidewinder keys, are harder tocopy and are more expensive than a basickey.

Nair Janibekov

Pundit

Does Walmart make keys?

Walmart's self-service key-copying kiosksbring simplicity to key duplication. So, yes, Walmartdoes make/duplicate/copy keys — but not alltypes of keys.

Riza Denis

Pundit

Can you make a copy of a key from a picture?

A Key You Can Photograph Is A Key ThatCan Be Copied. If you take a picture ofa car or house key, could you use that pictureto get a copy made? Yes—quite trivially, actually.Because you are working from a photograph, youmay also need to do a little work to scale and skew thereference image a bit.

Yenisey Alacano

Pundit

What are the different types of keys?

Summary. Seven Types of DBMS keys areSuper, Primary, Candidate, Alternate, Foreign, Compound, Composite,and Surrogate Key. A super key is a group of singleor multiple keys which identifies rows in atable.

Nilton Cugat

Pundit

How long does it take to duplicate a key?

How long does it take to duplicate (copy) akey? Usually less than five minutes. If you have an unusualkey which will take longer to copy, we willlet you know before we begin cutting theduplicate.

Rambha Wattrelot

Teacher

How do you remove a broken key from a lock?

Insert the tip of a pair of needle-nosed pliers into thekeyhole. Try to grip the broken key and pull it out.This technique is most likely to work if the key broke atits head and all the cuts are inside the lock. If you can'tpull the key out, remove the pliers and set themaside.

Xiaoju Mairu-Illar

Teacher

How much does it cost to program a key fob?

Transponder key programming starts at $50 - $75.This includes keys for GM, Ford, Dodge, Honda, Toyota,Nissan. Remote or fob programming starts at$65.

Nain Beltre

Teacher

How much does it cost to get a key made at Walmart?

The average cost to get your keysduplicated on a Walmart Key Maker would be around $2to $6 for a key copy (depending on the keyvariety).

Moaad Vanjula

Teacher

Will Home Depot copy a do not duplicate key?

The truth is there's no law regarding “do notduplicatekeys. Though many chain hardwarestores, such as Ace, may refuse to cut a copy ofthese keys, a locksmith can easily duplicatethem.

Nouradine Petsyk

Reviewer

Does CVS make keys?

CVS Pharmacy store locations do not havemachines or equipment to duplicate keys. We reached out toCVS' corporate customer service line, as well as storeassociates at several CVS locations, to confirm that CVSdoes not offer key duplication services.

Sandita Schotteler

Reviewer

What is a map key?

A map key or legend is included with a mapto unlock it. It gives you the information needed for themap to make sense. Maps often use symbols or colors torepresent things, and the map key explains what they mean.Symbols in the key might be pictures or icons that representdifferent things on the map.

Nounout Bekhtenev

Reviewer

Karoly Lesmes

Supporter

How much is minute key?

A key will cost you $1.49 to duplicate, while atrio of keys will cost $3. Not only that, whenever youchoose a key, you can also select your own decorativekey design. One thing though, the MinuteKey kioskwill not do car keys, which some might see it as a goodthing.

Elly Yalchevsky

Supporter

Can you get keys made at Lowes?

Mooresville, N.C. – Lowe's Companies Inc.may have found the key to customer self-service. The DIYgiant is rolling out new retail kiosks from KeyMe at selectlocations. The new kiosks will be able to copy carkeys, both with transponder chips and thosewithout.