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Keys 4 min readJanuary 24, 2026

What Is Key Duplication and When Should You Do It?

What does key duplication actually involve?

Key duplication is the process of copying an existing key onto a blank of the same shape. A locksmith places the original on a duplicating machine; a tracer follows the cuts while a cutter mirrors them onto the new blank.

Standard house keys cost $5 to $10 to copy in Marvin, NC. High-security keys (Medeco, Mul-T-Lock) cost $20 to $50 because the blanks are restricted and the cuts are angled. Car keys with a transponder chip cost more — usually $80 to $250 — because the chip has to be programmed to the vehicle.

Some keys cannot legally be duplicated without authorization: keys stamped Do Not Duplicate, restricted commercial keys, and most modern car keys outside the dealer network. A licensed locksmith will check for these markings before cutting.

If you only have one working key, make a spare today. Worn originals copy poorly, and a copy of a copy will eventually stop working in the lock.

Marvin Locksmith serves Marvin, NC and the nearby towns of Waxhaw, Wesley Chapel and Weddington. Call 704-817-4639 for fast, licensed help.

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