Do I need to rekey my locks if I lost my house keys?
If you don't know where the keys are, yes, rekeying is the usual answer. Rekeying makes the lost keys stop working and gives you new ones, so it doesn't matter who ends up holding the old keys.
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The one thing that changes this is certainty. If you know the keys are somewhere safe, such as in a coat at home or in a drawer, you may not need to do anything. If they went missing outside the house, or had anything on them that shows your address, treat them as gone. A key found again later does not undo that.
Why rekeying is the usual answer
A lock doesn't know who is holding the key. Any key that fits will turn it, today and next month. If a lost key can't be accounted for, the only way to be sure it no longer works is to change the lock so it takes a different key.
Rekeying does exactly that. The lock stays on the door, but it is set up to work with a new key, and the old ones stop turning it. Where a lock is worn, damaged or can't be rekeyed, the locksmith may recommend replacing the cylinder instead.
It is also a chance to tidy up. Many households end up with several different keys for the front door, back door and side door. Rekeying every exterior door so they all use one key means one key to carry and one key to copy.
What you can check yourself first
- Retrace your stepsGo back through where you've been since you last used them: car, bags, coat pockets, the place you parked, shops or friends' homes. Phone anywhere you stopped to ask.
- Ask everyone in the householdSomeone may have picked them up or moved them. Ask before you decide they are lost.
- Check what was on the ringNote every key and fob: front door, back door, garage, mailbox, shared entry, office, car. This tells the locksmith exactly what needs attention.
- Think about the addressIf the keys were with a wallet, a letter, a tag or anything else showing where you live, that is a good reason to rekey rather than wait.
- Set a sensible limit on searchingA day or two of looking is fine if you're confident they are somewhere safe. If you aren't, there is no need to keep searching before you arrange the rekey.
When to call a locksmith
Call once you've looked and the keys haven't turned up, or as soon as you know they were lost outside the home. Tell the locksmith everything that was on the ring. A car key on the same ring turns one job into two, so mention it at the start. You can reach One Call Locksmiths on (866) 690-5848, and we arrange the visit with an independent locksmith.
If you are also locked out, the locksmith will ask for identification and proof that you are entitled to enter the home before opening anything. A driver's licence showing the address, a lease or a utility bill all work, as does a neighbour or manager who can confirm who you are. This is why a page like this can't explain how a door gets opened.
Every job comes with a free estimate. The locksmith looks at the locks, gives you the price, and starts work only once you've agreed it.
What the locksmith will do
- Rekey the locksThe locks are rekeyed so the lost keys no longer work.
- Replace cylinders where neededWhere a lock can't be rekeyed, the cylinder is replaced so the old keys are out of use.
- Put every exterior door on one keyFront, back and side doors can be brought onto a single key, so you carry fewer keys.
- Cut new keys for the householdNew keys are cut so everyone who lives there is covered.
- Deal with mailbox and shared-entry locksIf those keys were on the same ring, the locksmith can address them in the same visit.
Related questions
- What if I find the keys again after rekeying?
- The old keys will no longer work in the rekeyed locks, so you can set them aside or throw them away. Keep the new keys in use instead.
- Is rekeying the same as changing the locks?
- Not quite. Rekeying keeps the existing lock and changes the key it works with. Changing the locks means fitting new hardware. For lost keys, rekeying is often enough, though the locksmith will tell you if a lock should be replaced.
- What decides how much it will cost?
- The main factors are the type of lock, how many doors are involved, the time of day, any parts needed, and how many new keys are cut. The locksmith gives a free estimate and agrees the price with you before any work begins.
- Does the locksmith need to be licensed?
- It depends on where you live. Some states license or register locksmiths, others leave it to cities or counties, and some don't regulate the trade. Check with your state or city for what applies to you. One Call Locksmiths is a referral service and holds no licence itself.
- What if my car key was on the ring too?
- Tell us when you call. A lost car key is a separate job from the house locks, and it is easier to arrange both together.
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