Can You Duplicate A Key That Says Do Not Duplicate? Yes

You can come across the phrase “do not duplicate” keys when purchasing door locks with keys. Many people could find this puzzling, particularly when it comes to replacing missing keys. In your own home, workplace, or on any other lockable property, you don’t want to get locked out. When you lose your keys, you want to be certain that you can swiftly order replacement keys. But can you duplicate a key that says do not duplicate? of course!

What Is A “Do Not Duplicate” Key

This particular kind of key has an engraved no-duplicate message that is specific. This key will open a deadbolt or other door lock and shouldn’t be copied or duplicated. It’s difficult to obtain a duplicate unless you buy it from the locksmith who sold it to you. The “do not duplicate” label on door lock keys is often used to prevent unauthorized duplication of the keys by non-authorized personnel.

In order to safeguard homeowners or businesses that share key access with different people, this is done primarily for security reasons. Additionally, it is useful for landlords who want to be sure they are aware of how many keys are offered for each apartment.

Even with the best of intentions, people could easily be persuaded to make copies without any limitations, which could lead to the keys falling into the wrong hands.

What Does the Symbol “Do Not Duplicate” Mean on a Key Mean? In the locksmith industry, we get asked to engrave this phrase on countless keys for residences and businesses, which always begs the question: Why do people request this? Many people have heard of the strategy known as a visual deterrent. In other words, it is something that deters potential criminals by creating the appearance of security.

The most typical illustration of this is a scarecrow in a field of crops, which gets its name from the fact that it acts as a visual deterrent to prevent crows from eating or harming the crops. Unfortunately, the culprits in the case of using locks and keys to secure our businesses are not birds, and it takes more than a few words to scare them away.

Can You Duplicate Your “Do Not Duplicate” Key

The locksmithing industry relies heavily on the capacity to quickly and affordably duplicate keys. While it can be upsetting for a customer to learn that they have been given a key that is marked “do not duplicate,” the good news is that all types of keys can be copied.

A key’s “Do Not Duplicate” marking serves as a caution, but it does not stop someone from making a duplicate of the key. In other words, if you purchased your locks from a reputable locksmith, you would need to go back to them and request new keys. The business uses code machines to generate new keys even though these keys are not intended for duplication.

Locksmiths always advise customers to review the company’s key duplication policy before purchasing any keyed locks. If your locks are under five years old, they are probably still covered by warranty and will be changed for free if lost or stolen.

Check to see if the business produces “do not duplicate” keys or if they will create them for you. Call the locksmith who sold you your new hardware if you’ve already purchased keys but is unsure if they are “do not duplicate” keys.

Is “Do No Duplicate” Key More Secure Than No-Marked Key

A common misconception is that a key is more secure if it is marked “do not duplicate.” This is because it’s believed that only locksmiths will be able to duplicate these keys, and they’ll have to take all necessary precautions to prevent this from happening, making your home much safer. That’s not at all accurate, though. Actually, these keys are no more secure than any other key in terms of security.

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to make your key truly unique or challenging for others to duplicate. Despite what you may believe, any locksmith with access to the necessary tools can duplicate “do not duplicate” keys. The most common security rule broken in homes and businesses is unauthorized key duplication.

As a result, always make sure your keys are stored securely. You should also upgrade your door locks to high-quality locks that are difficult to pick or bump open instead of thinking about how your key will be copied.

Restricted Keys

Some keys cannot be duplicated legally. These keys are referred to as “restricted” by locksmiths, denoting that only the key’s original manufacturer has the authority to duplicate them. Lock manufacturers created restricted keys to increase the security of some of their products. These keys are more difficult to duplicate because they require specialized tools and are covered by patents, making them more difficult to duplicate.

The U.S. covers restricted keys.manufacturers of specialized lock and key systems are protected by U.S. patent laws. For breaking the law, including making unauthorized copies of restricted keys, a fine of up to $10,000 may be imposed.

Only approved manufacturers and locksmiths are permitted to duplicate restricted keys, and doing so calls for specific equipment. The locksmith must request identification of the person making the request and documentation that the requester has permission from the original owner before the duplicate can be made.

Due to their greater difficulty in duplicating, these keys offer a higher level of security than unrestricted keys, including those with the “do not duplicate” stamp. A restricted key might be the best option for companies looking to limit the number of copies that are made available.