To unlock a door, a reputable locksmith needs proof of your identity (a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license or passport) and proof of ownership or authorization for the property.
If you were looking to pull in these kinds of £60-100K salaries, you would need to work tens of hours per week. Our estimates suggest you would need to work around 80+ hours per week to bring in that kind of income if your skills top out at what we teach during a 3-to-5-day training course for locksmiths.
Common acceptable forms of proof include valid government-issued photo identification (such as a driver's license) that matches the property address, utility bills or lease agreements showing residency, property deeds or title documents, vehicle registration papers for automotive locksmith services, and in some cases, ...
Types of Proof a Locksmith Needs
A driver's license, passport, or other kind of official identification that demonstrates your identity can serve as proof of identification. To retain integrity in their business, a locksmith must be certain they are working with the right person.
Georgia: No state-mandated locksmith license is required, but business registration may be necessary.
Average base salary
The average salary for a locksmith is $22.52 per hour in Georgia. 51 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated April 14, 2026).
Certain lock varieties force locksmiths to risk damage during opening procedures, including digital vault systems, mechanical combination safes, and fingerprint-activated locks. These security devices demand specialized equipment or advanced opening techniques that standard locksmith tools cannot handle.
Proof of identity generally requires documents that verify your name, date of birth, and typically include a photograph. Common examples include U.S. or foreign passports, REAL ID driver's licenses or state ID cards, Permanent Resident Cards, and U.S. military or government-issued ID badges.
Standard labor rates range from $50 to $100 per hour, with service fees from $35 to $100. Labor rates can increase based on job complexity, provider experience, and licensing. After-hours or emergency calls cost more, as do jobs involving drilling or advanced security systems.
1. Cost: Locksmiths are often much more affordable than dealerships when it comes to replacement keys. You can expect to pay significantly less for a replacement key and programming.
Key bumping (or lock bumping) is a covert lock-picking technique that uses a specially modified key (a "bump key") to quickly unlock standard pin-tumbler locks. It relies on kinetic energy to force the lock's internal pins to jump out of the way, allowing the door to open in seconds.
The most straightforward way to prove that you own a house is by providing a copy of the title deed. A title deed is a legal document that establishes who owns a piece of property.
Yes, there is a shortage of Locksmiths because the pay is abysmal, and to say that it's easier on the body than other trades is not accurate at all. Matthew feel free to get in contact with us to discuss if you would like more information.
Becoming a locksmith is highly worth it if you enjoy hands-on problem solving, value flexible hours, and want to avoid heavy student debt. It offers strong income potential—ranging from $45,000 to over $100,000 for experienced business owners—with very low startup and training costs.
In most cases, the police can either break a window or use a slender metal tool to unlock your door without needing a key. While there's typically no charge for their assistance, it's essential to use this option only in emergencies, as you'll be responsible for repairing any damage to your window.
The convenience and necessity of immediate service, especially in emergencies like being locked out of your house or car, contribute to the locksmith's cost. Remember that most people lose their car keys early in the morning before going to work and late in the afternoon when returning home.
Due to the extremely low price of the key pins in the locks, rekeying is almost always much cheaper than getting your locks changed. When rekeying your locks, you are only being charged for the labor, whereas when you get your locks changed, you're paying both for labor and parts.
OVD – Officially Valid Documents
Forms of ID
For example, British passports and UK driving licences are commonly accepted as photographic proof of identity. The different supporting documents needed to get a passport or provisional driving licence reflect their different functions.
Different laws for different states, but if a State DL or State ID is folded or damages or the lamination is separated, it can be considered “invalid”. Also expired can be considered “invalid”. Some states require the owner to apply for a duplicate if it becomes “damaged”. Providing some other persons ID Fake is Fake!
A key that is patent protected is illegal to copy unless you have special permission. This is designed to keep the key from being freely cut and limits access to the lock it works in. Restricted keys are usually cut with specialty equipment, so not just anyone can make them.
The easiest way to protect yourself is to use a lock that does not use a pin tumbler. Most mortice locks use levers and do not use pins on springs so are bump proof by design. We recommend British Standard Mortice Deadlocks.
BiLock Deadbolts are both bump proof and extremely pick resistant. BiLock uses a pin/sidebar system that is not vulnerable to bumping attacks.