Lock & Key Services

Locks on campus may need to be changed for different reasons. Based on your needs, you may be able to use the same key you have or have a new key issued from Lock & Key Services.

See the charts below for different service scenarios and steps to take if you have a lock issue:

Scenario A: I would like to change the way a lock functions.

Scenario B: The lock is malfunctioning.

Scenario C: I would like to adjust security to a location.

The person with key signature authority for your college, school, or department must request a lock change for a room by completing a request online through WORQS.

The request must include:

• Room number(s) where lock(s) are to be changed
• Signature of the person with key signature authority
• Valid account number for billing purposes
• Lock change and keying instructions

Once the request is processed, we will call your departmental contact to confirm lock change instructions and schedule a day to perform the service.

Lock change costs vary depending on the type of hardware or service needed to complete your request. Please contact Lock & Key Services at 512-471-8640 or email locksandkeysMAIN@austin.utexas.edu for an estimate.

Furniture keys

New locks for furniture come with their own set of keys, so you do not need to have a new key issued to you through Lock & Key Services. However, you can choose to have an additional copy made by us. There is a nominal charge for the new key. See File Cabinet, Desk and Miscellaneous Keys.

Request a lock change or unlock of existing file cabinets and furniture:

To have file cabinet or other furniture locks changed or unlocked, submit a request online through WORQS.

Main Campus: Obtain a Key Request and Authorization form form signed by the person in your department with key signature authority. The key signature authority should then email the Key Request and Authorization form to keyrequests@austin.utexas.edu to arrange pickup of the requested keys.

PRC: Obtain a Key Request and Authorization form signed by the person in your department with key signature authority. The key signature authority should then email the Key Request and Authorization form to locksandkeys@austin.utexas.edu to set up delivery of the requested keys.

We will deliver keys to PRC every Thursday, between 9 and 11 a.m. To have keys delivered, the completed key request and authorization form must be submitted through email to Lock and Key Services. Once the request is confirmed, the key will be prepared and brought to the PRC Lock and Key Services office in P19 for pickup. The completed, printed key request and authorization form and a valid identification is required for pickup.

Lock & Key Services will reply to your email with further instructions specific to your key request, if needed.

• Your university ID or another valid photo ID
• Your UT EID (if you do not have an EID, you can get an EID online)

All keys assigned by Lock & Key Services are the property of The University of Texas at Austin and must be returned upon separation from the university. 

Main Campus: To guarantee you are credited for the return of your key, all faculty, staff and students located on Main Campus must return their key(s) in person. To do this, go to the Lock & Key Services office at the Lock & Key Services Trailer (the same location where you picked your key(s) up).

PRC: Faculty, staff and students located at PRC may return keys to Lock & Key Services in one of the following ways:

1. Return in person at the Lock & Key Services Trailer, as described above.
2. Drop off keys at the PRC Key Return Box located inside PRC P19. The drop box is mounted to the wall between rooms 1.126 and 1.122.

Please note: You must return keys to the Lock & Key Services office in order for us to remove the keys from your record. Be sure to return them properly using one of the methods listed above. (We recommend you return keys in person so you can get a receipt of return.)

In the event a University key is lost or stolen, the key holder shall notify their designated key signature authority, who authorized the issuance of the keys,  and University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours after the loss was known.

Within 24 hours, a Lost or Stolen Key Report (PDF) must be submitted to Lock & Key Services by the key holder documenting the circumstances of the loss. Lock & Key Services will provide a copy of this report to UTPD. Special circumstances (e.g., the key was taken in the commission of a crime) should be reported immediately to UTPD, who will dispatch a police officer to complete the report.

The individual assigned the key must visit Lock and Key Services in person.

• If your key is imperfect or broken and needs to be replaced.
  • Main Campus: Bring the key in its entirety (both halves) and your UT photo ID to the Lock and Key Services office on Main Campus.
  • PRC: Contact your key signature authority to set up a day for pickup by the Lock and Key Services courier.
  • Please note: If your key is broken and you do not have all the parts, you will need to request a new key, as described below.
  • If you lose your key, or your key is broken and you do not have all the broken pieces, submit a new Key Request and Authorization to your key signature authority.
  • If your locks change, bring your old key to be returned, your UT photo ID, and a valid new Key Request and Authorization signed by your key signature authority to the Lock & Key Services Trailer to be issued a new key.

To request keys for file cabinets, desks, or other miscellaneous non-university-issued locks, fill out a service request online through WORQS. Once Lock & Key Services receives your request, we will contact you when your key is ready for pickup.

Please note: We are unable to create double-sided keys except for wheelchair lifts.

Make sure the request includes:

• Valid account number for billing purposes
• Signature of key signature authority
• List of the key(s) being requested. Include the building and room number location of the furniture item with your request.
• Key(s) Codes (The code can usually be found on the key or in small type on the lock the key goes into. See below for assistance with obtaining key codes.)
• Indication of whether you have a copy of the key you want duplicated
  • Allow an additional 24 to 48 hours to complete this key request.
  • Please note: In some cases, such as for an antique cabinet, a key blank may not be available, and we will not be able to generate a key. In these cases, a new lock and key set can be requested.
• Request the installation of a new lock and key set.

Costs for miscellaneous key copies: Material and labor charges are associated with creating copies of miscellaneous keys. Providing Lock & Key Services with a copy of the key you want duplicated will decrease the labor charge. For an estimate of how much it will cost to have miscellaneous keys made, please call Lock & Key Services at 512-471-8640 or 512-471-7096. If you simply need your furniture unlocked, see the Furniture Locks section.

Assignment of keys to vendors, contractors, and service personnel (“contractor”) will be by the same means as other key holders.

A Contractor’s Key Request (PDF) and Key Request and Authorization must be completely filled out and authorized by an appropriate key signature authority having jurisdiction over the particular project or contract in question (such as a project manager, building manager, etc.).

NOTE: Project managers, building managers, etc., do not automatically have key signature authority by virtue of their position. Therefore, key signature authority must be delegated to them in writing from an individual who possesses principal key signature authority.

A Contractor’s Key Request (PDF) may not be open ended and must include a specified end date. The end date specified must be no later than the end date of the contract under which the contractor is operating, to include any option periods.

Contact the department designated building contact for assistance. Lock & Key Services, Custodial Services, and UTPD cannot unlock any doors without verification from the designated building contact.

Submit a maintenance request form online through WORQS or contact the Facilities Service Center at 512-471-2020.

In the event a University key is lost or stolen, the key holder shall notify their designated key signature authority, who authorized the issuance of the keys,  and University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours after the loss was known.

Within 24 hours, a Lost or Stolen Key Report (PDF) must be submitted to Lock & Key Services by the key holder documenting the circumstances of the loss. Lock & Key Services will provide a copy of this report to UTPD. Special circumstances (e.g., the key was taken in the commission of a crime) should be reported immediately to UTPD, who will dispatch a police officer to complete the report.

Key signature authority is a designation for individuals in a department who may authorize others within that department to have keyed access to certain areas of the university. Key requests must be approved by the appropriate key signature authority before the request will be processed. Principal key signature authority is automatically given to certain university employees by virtue of their position, such as the president, vice presidents (including associate/assistant vice presidents), vice provosts, deans, directors, and department chairs. These principal authorities may in turn delegate key signature authority to others within their respective departments. 

(See the next question below for more details.)

Key signature authority may be given to others within your department, but only by a principle authority, which includes the president, vice presidents (including associate/assistant vice presidents), vice provosts, deans, directors, and department chairs (not necessarily anyone who currently has key signature authority). Someone with primary authority must send the Lock & Key Services office a completed UTM Key Signature Authorization (PDF) form requesting that a specific person be granted key signature authority on behalf of your department. A hard-copy original of that person's signature (no photocopies or electronic versions of the signature) must be included in the letter in order to have the person added to the other key signature authorities currently on file for your department.

Main: Go to the Lock & Key Services Trailer during the normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and we will give you a print-out of this information. (UT EID is required.)

PRC: To find out what keys are on your record, send an email to locksandkeys@austin.utexas.edu and we will send you a print-out of this information.

A request must be sent from someone with key signature authority for your department. Email locksandkeysMAIN@austin.utexas.edu the request to Lock & Key Services.

If you have any questions about requesting key records, please call Lock & Key Services at 512-471-8640 during the normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Please note: At this time, we are unable to provide key records for entire departments or buildings. We encourage you to maintain records of the keys requested for members of your department.

Yes. If you are a person with key signature authority and want confirmation that keys were returned by any of your employees, students, or contractors, call Lock and Key Services at 512-471-8640 during the normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, to request this service. Include your campus mail code.