Bank Locker After a Death in India: Who Can Open It and How

Published by Karan Bindal, Founder

A locker raises more anxiety than almost anything else after a death, partly because nobody may know what is inside. RBI's 2025 Directions on deceased customers cover lockers too, and they set out a clear process.

First, find out if there is a locker

Look for a locker key, usually a flat key with a number on it, along with rent receipts or debits for locker rent in bank statements. The bank's records will show who the hirers are and whether a nominee is registered.

If there is a nominee or surviving joint hirer

Sole hirer with a nominee: the nominee gets access and may remove the contents.
Joint hirers operating under joint signatures, with a nominee: access is given jointly to the nominees and the survivors.
Joint hirers with a survivorship instruction, such as "either or survivor": the bank follows that instruction.
Minor nominee: the contents go to the guardian named in the nomination form, or otherwise to a person legally competent to receive them.

Documents: the claim form, the death certificate and the identity proof of the nominee or survivor.

A succession certificate, letter of administration, probate or indemnity bond is not required unless there is a discrepancy in the nomination.

As with bank deposits, access is given as a trustee of the legal heirs. Taking out the jewellery does not settle who finally owns it. If the family may disagree, make a record of what was there and agree how it will be shared.

If there is no nominee and no survivor clause

There is a simplified process with no limit on the value, provided the heirs have no dispute. You need:

The claim form and the death certificate
Your identity proof
A disclaimer from any heirs who are not claiming
A legal heir certificate, or an affidavit sworn before a notary, judge or judicial magistrate by an independent person

With an undisputed will, the bank may ask for probate or letters of administration, or may act on the will at its discretion.

With a dispute, expect to need a court document.

How the inventory works

An inventory is made when the locker is opened, and the rules say who must be present:

The nominee, survivor or claimants, or their authorised representative
Two independent witnesses, who cannot be current or former employees of the bank
The vault custodian
Another bank employee who is not connected with locker operations

Everything is recorded on a standard form, and the family signs to acknowledge that the locker is empty.

Where there is no nominee, the contents are also valued by an independent valuer and recorded in a bond of indemnity before they are removed. This bond is not needed when the claim is settled on court documents.

Practical tips: bring two people you trust as witnesses, since they cannot be bank staff. Take clear photographs of the inventory sheet. If your family is large, agree in advance who will attend.

The time limit

Within 15 calendar days of receiving all the documents, the bank must process the claim and contact you to fix the date for the inventory. If it misses this, the rules provide for compensation of ₹5,000 for every day of delay.

Note the wording: the 15 days covers processing and fixing the date, not necessarily completing the inventory.

If the key is missing

The rules we reviewed do not set a national procedure for a lost key. Tell the bank in writing and ask how it handles this. Banks generally charge for breaking open a locker and replacing the lock.

Good habits for your own locker

Since 1 November 2025, lockers can have up to four nominees, in sequence, one after another. Check that yours has one. Keep a simple list of what is inside and tell one person where the key is.

Our free family checklist includes your locker along with everything else your family would need to find. Aakhri Pal keeps that list in one private place.

Last checked: 30 October 2026. RBI consolidated many of its directions in late 2025, so check your bank's current policy. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

Sources: RBI Directions on deceased customers' claims, 26 September 2025 · PIB on nomination changes