There is no single shape, colour or marking that identifies every restricted key.

The key may show a manufacturer, system name, locksmith name, key number or other reference. These details can provide useful clues, but the most reliable identification usually comes from the locksmith or organisation responsible for the key system.

If the key belongs to an apartment, workplace, school or managed site, start with the building manager, property manager, facilities team or site owner.

What should you look for on the key?

Check both sides of the key head for:

  • manufacturer branding
  • a product or system name
  • a locksmith’s name or phone number
  • letters or numbers identifying the key
  • a coloured insert or key head
  • “Restricted”, “Do Not Duplicate” or similar wording
  • a patent, design or registration marking

Some systems have distinctive shapes, coloured inserts or branding. However, manufacturers may use several key-head styles and colours within the same system.

Lockwood GEN6TX, for example, uses coloured key inserts, while dormakaba expert plus is available with different key shapes and clip colours. Colour and shape can help narrow the possibilities, but they should not be treated as proof.

Does “Do Not Duplicate” mean the key is restricted?

Not necessarily.

A standard key can be stamped “Do Not Duplicate” even when its blank is widely available. The stamp expresses the key owner’s intention, but it does not confirm that the key belongs to a controlled restricted-key platform.

A genuine restricted system may control additional keys through:

  • authorised dealers
  • registered system owners
  • authorised signatories
  • controlled key blanks or profiles
  • patents or registered designs
  • manufacturer and locksmith records

A restricted key may also have no obvious “Restricted” wording.

See can you copy a key that says Do Not Duplicate? for more detail.

What do the numbers on the key mean?

Numbers or letters on a key may identify the key, system, locksmith or access position.

Their format varies between manufacturers and locksmiths, so a number should not be interpreted without the relevant system records.

Do not publish clear photographs of these markings or post complete key and system numbers on public forums. Send them only to the responsible building manager, property manager or locksmith through a trusted channel.

The cuts along the key should also be treated as sensitive. A public photograph showing the full key may reveal more than is necessary for identification.

Check the building or site records

The key itself is only one source of information.

Useful records may include:

  • the original restricted-key system documentation
  • a key register
  • building handover documents
  • previous key order forms or receipts
  • owners corporation or strata records
  • property-management records
  • locksmith invoices
  • an authority or registration card
  • an online ordering page supplied for the building

These records may identify the manufacturer, system, authorised locksmith and people permitted to approve orders.

For an apartment key, the owners corporation manager, strata manager, building manager or property manager may already know which locksmith controls the system.

For a workplace, contact the facilities, security or site-management team.

Contact the locksmith named on the key

Some restricted keys carry the name or contact details of the locksmith that established or services the system.

That locksmith may be able to identify the system from its records, even if the manufacturer or platform name is not obvious.

Be prepared to provide:

  • your name and contact details
  • the building or site address
  • your apartment, tenancy or department
  • the visible key markings
  • the reason for the enquiry
  • the name of the building or site manager
  • proof of authority, where required

A locksmith’s name on the key does not necessarily mean that business manufactured the key platform. It may identify the dealer that created or manages the particular system.

Can any locksmith identify the system?

An experienced locksmith may recognise the manufacturer or general key family, but they may not hold the records or authority needed to produce another key.

Restricted systems often use authorised-dealer arrangements. For example, dormakaba states that IP9 keys can only be cut by approved dealers and ordered by authorised signatories registered to the system.

If the first locksmith cannot assist, ask whether they can identify:

  • the system manufacturer
  • the likely system name
  • the authorised dealer network
  • the locksmith or organisation that may hold the records

The manufacturer may also be able to direct you to an authorised dealer, although it may not hold the records for every individual building system.

What if the key has no useful markings?

If the key has no clear branding or locksmith details:

  1. identify which building, door or site issued it;
  2. ask the building or site manager who maintains the locks;
  3. check previous order records, invoices and handover documents;
  4. contact the property manager, owners corporation manager or facilities team;
  5. ask the likely locksmith to check the system securely.

Avoid taking the key to multiple unrelated cutting counters in the hope that someone will copy it. Even if a key looks familiar, the correct blank, authority and system record may still be required.

What if the system is old?

Older restricted systems can be harder to identify.

Branding may have changed, the original locksmith may no longer operate, or the product may have become a legacy or obsolete platform. A later system may also be compatible with parts of an earlier generation.

For example, ASSA ABLOY describes GEN6TX as the current evolution of its earlier Generation 6 and GEN6T platforms, with backward compatibility for existing systems.

Identification should therefore establish the exact platform and generation where possible.

Ask the locksmith:

  • Is the system still current?
  • Are additional keys and cylinders still supported?
  • Has its patent or registered-design protection expired?
  • Is there a supported migration path?
  • Does the existing system record still identify the authorised owner and signatories?

An old system may still be serviceable, but its current support and protection should be verified rather than assumed.

Once the system is identified

Identifying the system does not automatically authorise another key.

The locksmith may still need approval from:

  • the registered system owner
  • an authorised signatory
  • a building manager
  • an owners corporation or strata manager
  • a property manager
  • a facility or site manager
  • another authorised representative

The requester, approver, payer and collector may be different people.

See how to order a restricted key and why restricted keys need approval for the next steps.

Sources reviewed