List it on Ebay.
when you get a bill to renew the box, you’ll know where to go.
You don’t have any banking records? That’s the first, most obvious thought. The second thought I had was in wondering if it was even paid up.
WOW. Interesting question. Did he have any bank accounts or bank CDs? That would be the best start, with any bank/s he used for other transactions.
Then go through his checks or checkbook to see if he had a renewal fee for the safety deposit box, paid in the past year. ?
Hopefully others will have better ideas. Good luck.
No old bank statements to be found laying around somewhere? The other thing you can do is see if he had any unclaimed funds sent into the state where he lived. If he had a safe box that he hadn’t used in a long time, and had an account there that was equally unused, the funds had to be sent into the state when there was no activity on that account.
Did you father have any Bank/Credit Union records in his effects. They may give you a clue?
Look for his cancelled checks and then go there
I think you’re going to just have to go to banks one-by-one. Look around for some sort of bill from the bank charging for the safe deposit box. Usually mailed yearly.
I would start with any banks he has had other dealings with.
How do you know it’s not a key to a bus station locker?
Another thought: guessing he had the box for .... ~30+ years, perhaps? Think about the area banks that have physically been around for that long. Of course, if he’d moved more recently, then that thought is moot.
He probably didn’t go far away from his house. Chances are good it is a bank he used. There are probably records of paying for it in his cancelled checks or credit card statements. I hope you find a million dollars or some wonderful treasure!
It may cost a few bucks but couldn’t a locksmith identify the key to at least narrow down the possible number of banks? I’ll defer to those here who know better about these things.
Take it to an old locksmith.
Amazing the stuff they know, makes, models, identifying marks, lot numbers...
One of those guys might be able to look at it, dig out a catalog and tell you that those were made for XXX bank and what years..
If its still valid, there has been an annual fee that has been paid for keeping the box. Track it that way.
A box cannot be opened by anyone other than those on the list or those authorized (in writing) by the estate lawyer.
Rather than travel to that many banks, consider:
1)taking a picture of the key,
2)use the web to build a list of banks in a 10 mile radius,
3)email each branch explaining your situation
in the email, give them the full name and address
and ask if the picture of the key matches their boxes.
This worked for my grandmother’s box but there were only 10 banks in that area of rural GA.
</Alaska Wolf>
Possible strategy at 1:11.
The good, the bad and the ugly - Ecstasy of Gold
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubVc2MQwMkg
Go to your local post office. Ask for priority mail envelope
Put key in envelope
Seal envelope and sent it Immediately to VRWCarea51
Wait until you hear from me to proceed.
All kidding aside. I think I would as the executor or have the executor ask each bank that he did business with to send you a years statement. One should show a deduction or payment for the box. If not, I would look to the nearest bank that was in business for the past 25 years. Most likely the old hometown bank.
Good luck!
If not proceed to the next bank and repeat....good luck.